The 12 Days of Christmas

So, in the church calendar, it is still Christmas until Jan. 6th. I think it's interesting that the secular culture tends to focus on the LEAD-UP to Christmas, and then to pretty much be done with it after the BIG DAY.

I think this is because it's very hard in a consumer culture to spend a lot of time on gratitude. You can't sell much by putting gratitude advertisements on the television. Although that's funny to imagine:

"Aren't you glad you already have a roof over your head and food to eat?"

"Yeah, I sure am!"

"And isn't it nice that you and your friends are a little weird, but you accept each other for your weirdnesses and nobody has to impress anybody when you're hanging out together?"

"Yeah, I love my friends, even if we're a little odd sometimes. In fact, that's half the fun!"

"And isn't it wonderful to be married to someone attractive? We sure wouldn't want to show you pictures of someone more attractive!"

"It's true! I can't imagine being with anyone else!"

"Cool! Buy an iPod."

See how that doesn't work very well? :)

I'd like to propose that we re-invigorate the twelve days of Christmas as twelve days for being grateful. (We already got a warm-up day on Thanksgiving, BTW) Now would be a good time to enjoy all the stuff you got for Christmas. And even more than that, it's a time to enjoy your friends and family and be glad for things like compassion, forgiveness, love and understanding. These are gifts from God to us. So, thanks be to God and here's to twelve days of Christmas!

Silent Night

In honor of Christmas Eve, I thought I'd take a look at a favorite hymn: Silent Night. I've gotten to do a little more caroling than usual this year, and have listened to more Christmas music, too. The carols have deep meaning for me. They remind me of home and family because they're so familiar. And their descriptions of faith are so beautiful, it is an encouragement for me in my faith.

In particular, I love the beauty of the third verse of Silent Night:

Silent Night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light,
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth!

What a beautiful image! Light, beauty, grace, come together and are born into the world as a baby. But somehow that light also foretells Jesus' ministry as a grown man, and what his other, divine identity is. It is like watching the sun rise, bringing with it warmth, safety and a new day.

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P.S. If you're looking for a less familiar Christmas song, this version of Come Thou Font of Every Blessing by Sufjan Stevens is beautiful.