Christmas Day looks different now than it did when I was a boy. Christmas trees are not mandatory and most of them never touched the dirt. The packages under the tree are wrapped in brown paper instead of colorful red wrap with winter scenes stamped all over them. Christmas stuff no longer comes in Santa's sleigh, but a prime truck. The elves have been replaced by minions dressed in brown suits. Of course, no one goes into a store these days since the internet malls never close and Black Friday is every day.
Other things are different, too. When I was growing up, no one in their right mind would go to church on Christmas Eve. In the current day, churches have multiple services to accommodate the overflowing crowds. Even the Protestants have finally decided not to let the Roman Catholics have all the fun. Of course, one of the surprising things about today as compared to yesterday is the desire people have for Holy Communion on the night the birth of Jesus is remembered. While most Christmas Eve services still conclude with individuals holding little small candles, smart candles have greatly reduced the fire hazard and the likelihood of hands being burned by hot wax has been minimized.
One things though has not changed. It is still all about Jesus. In today's religious culture, one never knows what to expect, but as for now, Jesus in the manger is still getting center stage at Christmas. The message about Jesus being the Light of the World is still proclaimed and the story from Luke is still being read. The Christmas music is still the traditional songs that tell of His birth. Oh, and people still go to churches on Christmas which is something they do not always do the rest of the year. Christmas still gets a thumbs up. In most places it is still all about Jesus!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment