The After Christmas Syndrome

Dear Fellow Travelers,

We have all done so much in anticipation of Christmas; however, the Day has now come and gone and we are left with many and varied emotions, not the least of which is depression. Hopefully, it will prove to be a mere "adjustment reaction depression" due to overspending, family leaving, decorations that have to be "taken down" and put back into the attic, and of course, overeating. Whether it be adjustment reaction or clinical, I find it tragic that our celebrating the birth of Jesus takes such a toll on our lives! How is it possible that our celebrating the birth of our Savior leaves us with the same kind of feelings we have when a family member dies? Unfortunately, most believers will spend the next several weeks recovering, hopefully in time to celebrate Easter.

If you think about it, you will realize that we were "set up" for this "let down" by the very society in which we live, the society that worships the almighty dollar. To be sure, the economic system is well-aware of our deception and it takes every advantage it can to profit from it. As you remember, most, if not all, major stores were decorated for Christmas before Halloween! Since then, it has carried out its major campaign of the year, in an effort to lure us away from the real meaning of the season--the celebration of the birth of Jesus, and towards its purpose and goal--the gathering of profits. From what I have been able to see, we fell prey and, consequently, we find ourselves struggling to find a sunshiny day.

It has become increasingly clear to me that our economic system is designed around luring us from one holiday to another and for the express purpose of getting us to spend money. Think about it: there is New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, Easter, The Fifth of May, Veteran's Day, Columbus Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, just to name a few. I remember when Valentine's Day was about love--sweethearts and lovers--but that has changed, and, although it is still about love, it is , unfortunatley, about the love of money. Why the Starbucks in Macon was busy on Christmas Day (maybe the day after) transforming the store into its Valentine's Day decor and for the obvious reason--its love of profit! I also remember when Easter was about the resurrection of Jesus but now it is about the resurrection of the almighty dollar. You can rest assured that as soon as Valentine's Day is over, the stores will be decorated for Easter sales!

Anyway, enough of that but I do wonder what it would be like to return to those days when Christmas was really about celebrating the birth of Jesus, when He was the reason for the season. I even wonder what it would be like to return to those days when Valentine's Day was about love and it was really demonstrated. Would it be too novel an idea to think that we could return to those days when Easter was really about celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, rather than new clothes, dyed eggs, rabbits and et al?

Oh well, there is no wonder that we are so depressed, especially in light of the fact that we are so easily deceived! Having said that, I do not want to be misunderstood because I still believe in Santa Clause, I still love hard boiled eggs, I still love Valentine candy, especially the little hearts with the brief love comments imprinted on them, and I still love turkey and dressing! But, damnit, I am tired of this "system" trying to lure us away from the real meaning of life. All I can say is this: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The One who coined that statement was very wise and I trust His judgment above all.

Anyway, you think about it~

So Be Good for Goodness Sake!

As I begin to collect my thoughts for this article, I am struggling to come up with something different to say about Christmas--something that hasn't already been said--or at least a different way of saying the things that are always said. After all, there are only so many ways one can say that this is the time of the year we have set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

We all already know that He was born in the obscure city of Bethlehem of Judea. Wow! How else can one say that? It kinda' reminds me of what I say about myself: I was born in the obscure city of Butler, Georgia! How good can it get?

We also know that he was born of a virgin (Mary) because God had already predestined for His conception to be immaculate. For some reason, however, He didn't seem to be quite so concerned about His birth because He arranged (prearranged) for it to take place in a not-so-immaculate; albeit, well-perfumed barn, amongst cow manure and horse urine because there was no room for Him to be born in the nice, clean, Holiday (pun intended) Inn, amongst freshly laundered, jasmine-smelling sheets.

Furthermore, we all know that God ordered one of His favorite and brightest stars to conveniently present herself just above Jesus' delivery room, and, surely, we all know that Mary had Joseph scurrying to place hundreds of green and red and white flashing lights around the barn windows, on the roof, even hanging from the eves, not to mention, all around the yard and in the shrubbery. Probably the funniest sight of all was Joseph's trying to attach the huge, inflatable Santa Clause on the top of the barn chimney, so as to make him appear to be "on his way down," with a sack filled with toys for the New Born!

To be sure, the three Wise Men couldn't possibly have missed their cue to see Him, so off they went in a cloud of dust, twelve camel-legs a flying in every direction, and bringing of all things more smelly perfumes (as if there were not already enough with the omnipresent "Eau de Barn Toilett'), which probably did a better job of stopping up His nose than elimating the various odors. (Have you noticed that the Bible never mentions Jesus wearing perfume? Now you know why--He couldn't stand the stuff!) I am guessing that Mary offered most of this smelly stuff back to the Wise Men, hoping they would take the hint and wear it themselves!

Everyone knows that Joseph was probably more-than-a-bit embarassed by this entire thing, expecially, in de-light of the fact that he and mary had not yet "known" each other, except, of course, for the few times he persuaded her to do a little "petting" on the back of some smelly camel in the dark of night, where no one could see them, probably at the local outdoor movie house, pretending to be watching "The Exodus." There is not wonder that His birth was "virgin!"

Anyway, somewhere, off in the distance, God stood with His pipe frimly held between His teeth and His huge arms folded upon His gigantic chest, watching what He had already previewed and approved from the foundation of the world; when, unable to stand it any longer, He removed his pipe and laughed and laughed and laughed, not because what He saw was funny, but because He is just that kind of God! He gets so much pleasure out of watching His children celebrate the birth of His Son, and the more childish, the better, at least for Him!

I thought I would remind you of what you already know: He really does love YOU! And by the way and for all the world to hear--MERRY CHRISTMAS!