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I've decided to switch gears a bit from the serious tone of recent life lessons, and instead, focus on some fun Christmas memories. One incredible memory, which was a generational tradition on my dad's side of the family, was dad dressing up and playing Santa for kids. Now I'm not talking about the department store Santas you see all the time. Dad did this, like he does everything, above and beyond what you would expect.
The process of getting dressed, with the wigs and makeup, (gotta have those rosy cheeks), took him hours. Of course, Mom was essential in this metamorphosis. Dad's suit wasn't that bright Christmas red you're used to seeing on Santa. Instead, it was a deeper, richer red. Like a dark burgundy. This added to the uniqueness of his presentation. He had a professional wig for his hair, and the beard was amazing. They'd touch up his eyebrows to make them nice and white.
One of my favorite unique details he came up with was his way of capturing that very first moment at the front door. After getting out of the car, usually a couple blocks from the house, Mom would cover his shoulders with a dusting of shaved ice. He would arrange it with the families that when he arrived, the child or children would be right at the door when it opened. As the door swung open, there was Santa on their porch brushing "North Pole snow" from his shoulders. In fact, he even would get a little on the kids so they could have that added thrill of being sprinkled with snow. Hey, we lived in the Bay Area of California. Most kids have never even seen snow in person.
I could go into more details, but this would take you an hour to read it if I did.
One of the things I appreciate about my dad, and of my parents as a unit, is that they have always done things above and beyond what others would do, and what others would be satisfied with. That attitude has been a tremendous influence to me. This is one reason why just about everyone they've ever known has gotten attached to them. They have always loved and given so freely. And I mean freely literally. People would ask my dad how much he would charge or accept for his Santa appearances. With as much seriousness and conviction as one could imagine, he would adamantly refuse to accept money or anything in exchange for what he did. My parents understood the unmatchable reward in just making people, and especially children, happy. Dad did his Santa in prisons, children's hospitals, for the elderly, churches, living rooms...you name it.
He simply loves blessing people. All people.
Christmas is known as the season of giving. I hope that never goes away. But I'm proud to have had parents who simply lived their lives this way, year in and year out, no matter what the calendar said. I'm thankful that I was raised by people who were not satisfied by the status quo. Why stop at the place where everyone else does? Why stop at "that'll do"? With a little imagination, and with a huge heart, you can do so much more.
Mom is gone now, but I'm so grateful my dad is still with us. He is truly a legend in my eyes. There just aren't many like him in this world anymore.
Here it is, Christmas week. No matter how many Christmases I have experienced, I still marvel at the most minute of details of the biblical account of the birth of Jesus. Yesterday in church, my pastor touched on the contrast between a stable and a palace. Wouldn't it be fitting for a king of any kind to be born in a palace? But here, the Son of God, foretold by prophets to come to the world to be the Messiah, was born in a barn. A feeding trough for animals would have to settle for a crib.
In the social, political and economic environment we're experiencing today, stability is a precious commodity. So many have learned that the very entities we thought were bullet proof, in fact, are little more than a house of cards. We've seen huge companies which had been in existence for generations simply vanish. Drive around your town and look at all the empty storefronts. Look at all the empty office suites in all those buildings and complexes.
Forget the economic stuff. We have a drama playing out before us right now of someone who has more money than you can count, whose life is in complete ruin. Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer of his generation, if not ever. But almost to the degree in which he mastered his craft, he cultivated an image and a brand which has made him even more money and fame than his talent as a golfer. His reputation for controlling his public persona is legendary. It is now known by all that he has lived a very reckless life. I've seen it before. People get so big, so rich, so powerful that they begin to believe their own press. Just throw some of your money around and people will do your bidding.
But what happens when all that stuff you worked so hard to control begins to fall apart? Once it starts, the momentum builds and builds like a roaring avalanche. Whether Tiger can save his marriage is pretty much a comically rhetorical question now. The real questions are can the man show his face in public knowing that the once adoring world now thinks he's a dirtbag? How will he handle it? Will he ever be accepted again? Is he forever tarnished beyond redemption?
Stability isn't found in palaces. It's not found in the rich and famous. It's not found in a huge bank account. Heck, can you even trust that your bank will still be there next week? God has made a career out of using the unconventional to do the miraculous. God could have beamed a full grown Messiah from Heaven to our world like He was Captain Kirk. God could have blown up a mountain from which a Savior would emerge from the ashes in a heavenly glow. A mighty celestial army could have pierced the clouds ushering the King of Kings to His domain.
Instead, God came to us as a baby boy, umbilically tied to a teenage Jewish girl. No, it wasn't a palace fit and designed for a king. It was a stable designed to house animals who didn't need a savior. In an out of the way venue, God made His entrance to our world. His arrival was announced only to those on a very exclusive guest list. And those who shared in this turning point of mankind had to endure some serious obstacles to be there. But when they did, when they came to the stable, they cast their eyes on a baby boy. This boy would one day pay a price for all those who have been and will be born since.
No matter what foundation upon which you have built your life, if it's not on Christ the Solid Rock, you're building your life on sinking sand. You'll never have enough money, but you can have enough Jesus because He's more than enough. Living a life of humility, a life which reflects the love God has for you is where you will find true joy, peace and stability.
You won't find it in a palace. You'll find Him in a stable.
A few years back, the wife of a former pastor of mine uttered these words to a group of us at the church. I've never forgotten them, or the intent behind them. What an exhortation. Never lose the wonder.
I have recently found myself in a bit of a rant over those who are trying to incrementally remove Jesus from the meaning of Christmas, and ultimately, from our country. In doing so, and in firing up those like minded folks who have joined me in hoisting our virtual torches and pitchforks while storming the castle of the virtual mad scientists behind it all, I think it's important for us to make sure we keep Christ as the center of our own hearts.
In my passion to keep Christ in Christmas, I have to be mindful that Jesus doesn't need to be defended. Not by me, or anybody. I want to be sure that, in my own heart, I don't begin to inch my way over the line between defending my freedom and some misguided defense of my God. One follower of Jesus learned this lesson shortly after de-earing a man sent to capture the Lord and bring Him to the high priest.
I will continue to stand up to defend the fact that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. But not to be lost in all this is the wonder of the miracle, the majesty of The Messiah's physical entry into our world. In a fitting manner, the birth of Jesus wasn't comfortable or convenient. Also fittingly, it came when most people were oblivious to the significance of what was happening just outside in the smelly, out-of-sight-out-of-mind stable. The town was packed. There was no room in the inn for Jesus, and no room in the hearts of those who were too busy going about their business.
From the very beginning, Jesus has been cast aside by the hustle and bustle of busy lives. Today is no different. But there are a great many of us who have welcomed Jesus into the manger of our own hearts. For many of us, our personal Christmas didn't come on December 25th. My spiritual Christmas came on April 12, 1983. Unfortunately, there have been many days since in which I have relegated The Savior to my life's garage. I've allowed myself to be so consumed with other things that I've not made a comfortable, suitable home for my King.
As I consider my life and the things which fill it, I remember those words. Never lose the wonder. No good deed I could ever complete would justify keeping Emmanuel out in the cold. I get a thrill when I see snow-covered mountains on the horizon. I gasp in awe when I see a beautiful sunset. My heart leaps when I see someone I love. That's the wonder. How much more does Jesus deserve? While I love all the festivities surrounding Christmas, and while I know and honor the meaning of it, I don't want to spend more time focusing on all the distractions than on meditating on The Wonder of it all.
I urge you to take time each day and reflect on The Wonder of Christmas. Meditate on The Wonder of God that He would leave His throne to walk among us, knowing full well that in doing so, He would pay a price He didn't owe so that we might spend eternity in His presence. He loves you so much that He would do that so He could forever be with you. No one has ever, or will ever love you like He does. Think about that. I mean really dwell on that! If that doesn't stir up The Wonder, you're dead on the inside.
For the next two weeks leading to Christmas, take some time each day to concentrate on God's majesty and love for you. Despite all the terrible things we've done in our lives, despite our rejection of Him, despite our failures...He loves us. Once Christmas has come and gone, keep doing it! Never forget His love. Never forget His mercy. Never forget His grace, His sacrifice or His majestic glory.
Never lose the wonder!
One of the very cool aspects of writing here is getting comments from people like you. I really enjoy your feedback, even from those who disagree. Such comments cause me to really search within myself to the core of my beliefs. It's not enough to just say "this is what I believe", but to offer reasoning for my beliefs.
One such comment was to my post from last Wednesday from another individual identified as "Anonymous":
"I agree that it is a widely celebrated holiday and nationally recognized, and as a catholic I agree that it's a shame people now feel that they have to sidestep even those things our society is built on because one or two of the minority will act out like they're being rubbed the wrong way. I do, however, disagree with your last statement. I think that everyone should be free to believe in whatever religious ideas or gods their religion encompasses. So while I agree we should keep the generous, loving, giving ideals of Christ and the celebration of his birth in Christmas I would ask that no one tries to push these on atheists, Jews, Buddhists, Islamics, and everyone else with varying views. We're all entitled to what we believe in =)"
Unfortunately, I'm not sure to which "last statement" she is referring. The premise of the post was that if the meaning of Christmas offends you, don't observe it and work it like any other day. In reviewing the post, I am unable to locate anything which suggests people of other faiths should not be "free to believe" whatever they believe. While I don't subscribe to "pushing" my faith on anyone who disagrees, I also don't respect others pushing me to hide it.
Like it or not, believe it or not, Christmas is an observance of the birth of Jesus Christ. If you do not believe in Jesus, either don't observe the day, or take the day off and enjoy it. But don't "push" your views on me and those like me who consider this observance as sacred. Nobody has created a whimsical mascot to distract from the meaning of Hanukkah. No one has come up with an alternate name for it to whitewash it's religious identity. No one has touched Kwanzaa. Nobody dares to touch Ramadan. But Christmas?
Christians have become easy targets. If we don't "turn the other cheek", we're hypocrites. If we stand up and protest to defend our beliefs, we're bigoted extremists. If we practice biblical correctness over political correctness, we're intolerant. Isn't it ironic that we're considered intolerant when anytime a public figure states they believe in the biblical definition of marriage, those who disagree stop at nothing to destroy their lives and reputations?
I agree that in America, we're "free to believe" whatever we believe. You're free to wear a tin foil hat so aliens and secret agents in black helicopters can't read your thoughts. You're free to worship a hand carved image of a smiling fat guy. You're apparently free to contact terrorist groups and leaders while serving as an officer in the United States Armed Forces. I'm concerned that this same freedom is being taken away, piece by piece, from Christians. It's just a matter of time when they discover that even the word "holiday" has religious origins. Hello? Holiday. Holy Day. Coincidence? Look it up yourself.
Despite this faux pas by those who wish to see Christmas obliterated from our consciousness, they won't stop at Photoshopping Christ out of Christmas. Look for "In God We Trust" to be removed from our currency. It won't be long before "One Nation Under God" is in the crosshairs. These elements have already received some attention by those who want to secularize our country, but nothing like what we will see in the near future.
More and more, our country is becoming like our friend "Anonymous" who, while professing to be Catholic, lacks the conviction and passion of her faith. Instead of standing up against the methodical demolition of the Christian foundation upon which this country was founded, she has bought into the idea that other faiths, and those who practice them, have somehow been victimized by Christianity. And as an enlightened, tolerant person, secularizing one of two most Holy Days recognized by her church seems fair to those who don't believe in the divinity of Christ. By doing so, she has opened the door wide open to those who want to strip God from everything in America.
Are we free to believe? Really?
Last week I wrote a piece about the rampant use of the term "Holiday" in place of Christmas. The piece was generously and surprisingly (to me) re-posted on internet venues which echo the sentiments I wrote. So of course, in preaching to the choir, responses were almost exclusively supportive.
Almost.
I am devoting this post to share with you one dissenting comment I received, and my thoughts on it. The following was posted by "Anonymous":
"Christmas is a lot of fun. The kids love it, presents, tree in the house. It's a good story. But once you get to be an adult you should of [sic
] had enough time to seperate [
sic]
fact from fiction. And people who choose to cast aside the facts and replace them with faith are in my opinion suffering from a sort of enviromentally [
sic]
induced mental illness. So relax, enjoy the hollidays [
sic]
and for the sake of the children snap out of it."
OK, like the mosquito said as he landed on the 400 pound man, "where do I begin?"
First, let me state the obvious right off the bat. Christmas isn't about "the sake of children". Christmas is about The Child. It's about Jesus Christ. Our culture has become so arrogant, so self-centered that we genuinely think everything is about us. Here's a news flash. It's not about us! Stop the arrogance that believes the hoax that we are able to change the climate of the world God created. Stop the arrogance that takes God out of the schools while violence, drugs and teenage pregnancies skyrocket. Stop the arrogance that takes God out of our nation's foundation while the division and turmoil in our government implodes on itself. Stop the arrogance that says that Christmas and Easter are about us.
Next, in typical fashion when someone has no substance upon which to base their opinions, the only method to obtain perceived superiority comes in the form of insulting one's intelligence or mental stability. In this case, "Anonymous" has opted for the latter. Environmentally induced mental illness? Can anyone venture a guess as to what this means? I have no clue. But, sensibility was not a weapon in this person's arsenal, so we move on.
I particularly enjoyed the comment about replacing facts with faith. Mr. or Ms. Anonymous didn't care to back up their claim with any "facts" to debunk the meaning of Christmas, or even one element of Christianity for that matter. I, for one, am thankful for faith. I'm thankful that this life is not the end of it all, but merely the beginning. I can't imagine the empty and pointless existence it must be for someone who doesn't believe in something bigger than themselves. But when your world is all about yourself, the idea of living a life of faith and devotion in someone greater than yourself would be rather disconcerting. Faith in an unseen God doesn't make sense to the "wise" of the world. That's why it's called faith. There are going to be a lot of really smart people who will one day bow their knees before God and realize the tragic reality to which their arrogance has destined them.
The "story" of Christmas is not merely a "good story". The fulfillment of prophecy of the virgin birth of the Messiah is the root of the ultimate of love stories. God, in the form of a baby, left the comfort and perfection of Heaven to come to us as an innocent and vulnerable human baby. His arrival was foretold by prophets. His arrival announced by angels. His beginnings in a humble, smelly stable surrounded by farm animals. This baby was the King of Kings. This baby grew up to endure a horrible death as a sacrifice, an atonement for our sin, once and for all.
What Christmas has become is fun. Absolutely. I love it. However, buried under the rubble of the secularism of what we now know as "Holiday", is a truth, a "fact" that cannot be wished away by human arrogance. Christmas is wonderful. The music, the cool winter air. The spirit of joy in people. However, all this while ignoring the true meaning of Christmas is like your best friends and family gathering at your place to celebrate your birthday. They mingle only with each other and exchange gifts amongst themselves, while completely ignoring and forgetting about you!
I understand the confusion of Mr. or Ms. Anonymous and their opinion about Christmas being about children. There is something so special and wonderful about the innocence of a child who believes in the magic of Christmas, Santa, flying reindeer and such. Sadly, childlike faith devolves into adult cynicism and arrogance that can only believe what the eye can see. This is why Luke 18:17 says this, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Christmas is about the Christ child. Heaven, is for the children of God.
End of story.
In a follow up to my post about Christmas, I find it important to go on the offensive against the wave of appeasement which has taken over this generation.
The Politically Correct movement has completely corrupted our values as a country. We have become so careful to not offend people, that we overlook behaviors which serve as an obvious warning to us that the person is a threat to us. You have to look no further than Nidal Malik Hasan, the gunman at the Fort Hood massacre in Texas. It was well known that he was influenced by Muslim radicals, but did anyone do anything about it? Heck no. That would be profiling.
I just read about a Dutch gay organization in Amsterdam which is setting up a nativity scene with two Josephs and two Marys. Yes, the Josephs would be an entity to themselves, as would be the Marys. The op-ed article I read included the following statement,
"Lesbians and gays are entitled to their own take on the Christmas story."
What? So that's where we've come? Groups now are entitled to alter sacred history to suit their own agendas while mocking those who would obviously be troubled at such a display?
The Politically Correct movement has empowered and emboldened those who benefit from it. Our culture is excusing anything they do against those they define as enemies. This would be like excusing the two boys who shot up all those kids and teachers at Columbine because those poor boys felt ostracized by their fellow students.
I am not interested in being politically correct. I'm also uninterested in being politically incorrect. Forget that stuff.
Instead, I strive to be Biblically Correct. In doing so, I don't condone anyone's sin. Not even my own. It's not about celebrating victimhood. It's not about being ashamed of my values because others might feel I'm picking on them. It's about loving people. Agree with them or not, like them or not, they are every bit the creation of God as you and I. If they choose to hate me for my beliefs, I count it a privilege to be hated for the cause of Christ. But I will not bury my values because I'm afraid they'll hate me.
I have friends who, were it about our labels, we would not be friends. If we had only judged each other by our labels, we would not have taken the time to develop relationships. In showing them love, I demonstrate the love of Christ. Jesus was much more confrontational with "religious" people who looked down their noses at those who didn't live according to their high standards.
Nothing I am saying contradicts my care for those who don't share my beliefs. I have love in my heart even for those who despise what I stand for. But I will not return evil for evil. Likewise, I will not sit idly by as what I hold sacred is mocked openly, with that behavior being accepted under the guise of tolerance.
I pray for the strength to stand firm to defend my faith and that which I hold sacred. I pray for strength to stand up and remind those who wish we'd forget that this country was founded by those who understood that we must hold strong to God and His ways, or we would self destruct. A house divided against itself cannot stand.
Yes, I choose to be Biblically Correct.
Maybe I'm just becoming a grumpy old man. It has always bothered me that the word Christmas continues to get brushed aside in favor of the generic term "Holiday". But for whatever reason, this year it's really getting under my skin.
I remember even as a young boy, it used to bug me that people abbreviated it as "Xmas". I was not raised in a home which was into going to church or anything. But even so, there was something obvious to even my (then) underdeveloped mind when this was the trend.
As I was driving around yesterday, a thought crossed my mind that just seemed to click. For those of you who are offended by the term Christmas, I think I have a solution for you. You see, December 25th, whether you like it or not, is the date that is recognized worldwide as the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. A week from Friday begins Hanukkah, and I'm certainly not offended by this. But for reasons which are only too obvious, Christmas is becoming a word going the way of the 8 track tape, rotary dial telephone and ditto machine. In fact, I'm almost longing for the days when they abbreviated it Xmas. At least then there was some attempt at implying the identity of the holiday.
So here we are. December 2009. There is a generation growing up today who have no idea what this season truly means. We have become so politically correct by tippy toeing around the global minority who actually don't celebrate Christmas. In doing so, we have silently and wimpishly (yeah, I made that word up) communicated to the world that we're ashamed.
Hey, if you don't believe in Christmas and what it means, here's an idea. Don't take the day off! Work that day! You can't have it both ways. You shouldn't be allowed to celebrate that day if the very meaning of the day offends you. I wouldn't feel right taking time off for Yom Kippur. I have nothing against it. It's simply a sacred day for Jews, and I'm not Jewish. I'm not offended by those who honor this day, nor are they offended that I work that day.
As for me, I am going to stand up and take back the real meaning of this season, and what December 25th means to me and those who share my faith. I am not ashamed of what Christmas means. I am not ashamed to be identified as someone who believes in the virgin birth of my Savior.
If you don't like Christmas, be my guest. But while you're at it, just treat it like any other day. But you can't, and you won't take away what Christmas truly means. You won't take it away from me, anyway. Others may hand it over like they did their lunch money to the school bully. But I won't.
So all of you who don't like the term Christmas, you're on notice from me. Jesus didn't come to this world so that I would kowtow to the milquetoast whims of my generation. He didn't come to appease the masses. He didn't come to be popular among the religious and political movers and shakers. He came to rock their worlds. He came to disrupt the pious and self-righteous. He came to save us from the fate to which our own pride and self interest destined us. He subjected Himself to the human frailty we too must endure. Yet He did so without sinning. He did so perfectly. He endured torture that makes waterboarding seem like patty cake.
Christmas is sacred. You don't have to believe it for it to be true. But respect it you will, if you're going to be around me.
If you're with me and you're tired of the advances made by those who seek to remove the sacred meaning of Christmas, it's high time we rise up. They're not just taking away the meaning of Christmas. They're going after everything we believe. They're going after the very core of our faith.
What are you going to do about it?
"the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force"
Matthew 11:12b
I love Christmas. I love the music, the lights, Christmas trees. But I've been careful not to miss what Christmas really is. I've been thinking of the humble beginnings of Jesus on that silent night. I never cease to be amazed that God would introduce His son to our world in such a humbling, downright inglorious setting.
A stable.
You see, there was no room in the hotel for them. So it was off to the barn for Joseph, his wife, and their soon-to-arrive son. God could have chosen so many more fitting ways to usher the Savior into the world He created. A palace would seem appropriate. But He chose a stable. Then, the indignity carried out even further. You see, there was no cushy bed in which to put the newborn Messiah. So they improvised.
A manger.
A manger is basically a trough in which animals would shove their dirty snouts in order to get a mouthful of sustenance. But on this night, it would be a cradle. Instead of holding the food for farm animals, this time it held the Bread of Life for all mankind.
And now Jesus abides in an equally humble place. A place which is every bit as flawed and inconsistent with a place you would imagine for the King of Kings. A place which is just as unfitting for royalty as can possibly be.
My heart.
Had Jesus been born as He deserved, how could He find my heart a suitable home? My heart is anything but a glamorous mansion befitting a King. Instead, my heart is a humble and unassuming place. But as Jesus made that stable and manger the center of His will and glory some two thousand years ago, He is working to do the same in my heart and life. By merely living in it, He raises its value and its potential.
Everything Jesus has ever touched, He changed from being ordinary. That is why His life started out in such a humble, unglamorous setting.
And maybe...just maybe, He'll touch my life, and yours, and make it fit for a King.
Merry Christmas, from my heart to yours.
My fondest memories of Christmas relate to Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day. Without going into a lot of lengthy details to distract from the upbeat theme of the occasion, suffice it to say that I was raised as an only child, despite the fact that I have one biological brother and two step brothers. Growing up, aside from the dog, there was no one else around within 30 years of my age. So Christmas Eve was very special because that was the one time all year long when my brothers would all come over and be there at the same time.
I was a bit younger than each of them. In fact, I was five years younger than the nearest chronological sibling. So they tended to hang together, and I was the little guy who was often the target of physical and psychological older brother torment. But I didn't care. It was just great to have them around.
When it was time to open up the presents, paper was everywhere. We tore that place up! The joyous sound of "WHOA!" was heard several times during the course of the evening. It seemed like the opening of gifts lasted for hours.
It's been several years since I've shared a Christmas with my brothers. They all have their own lives. I think the fact that we grew up separately, and were not exactly close in age has a lot to do with our distance today. Not to mention the geographic distance which stands between us. But I do have great memories.
On Christmas Eve 2008, I will participate in my church's special one hour service. It will be nice to do this, since in years past, I always had to decline because I had a lengthy drive to be at my parents' house, and I didn't want to get there in the middle of the night after battling traffic out of the Bay Area. Now, about 30 miles separates us, so I can still do the service and get to their house by 8 pm.
There will be no kids tearing into presents. It will just be my parents and me. A little quiet time, reading the biblical account of the birth of Jesus out of Luke chapter 2. Christmas Eve now has a different energy level than it did all those years ago, but in a different way, it's even more meaningful now. Not because of who isn't there, but because of what my parents and I share. Each of our lives have been changed as a result of the life of Christ which started in that humble manger. Our relationships with each other are so different, so much better than it was all those years ago. We've each taken interesting paths to get to where we are today. None of us knows how many more Christmas Eves we'll share together. Without anyone saying anything, we will enjoy this one knowing that Christmas Eve 2009 isn't guaranteed to any of us.
As you experience your own Christmas Eve, I pray that you spend it surrounded by people you love, and more importantly, people who love you. I pray that it is somehow the most special yet. I hope you and they have many, many more Christmases together yet ahead. But I pray that you never take one moment of this Christmas for granted. I can think of many people I know who will experience this Christmas as the first one without a special someone in their lives who they lost this year. When you look around the room at them, when they're not even aware of it...just look at them and thank God for them.
And remember to thank God for sending His son to us. This is, and always will be the greatest gift ever given.
One tradition of Christmas that I love to this day is driving around looking at homes decorated with festive Christmas lights. I've lived in a few cities throughout my life, and I have always found the neighborhoods which banded together to bring Christmas cheer to the community.
I'm thankful to say that Rocklin has at least one such neighborhood.
My good friends Jason and Heather live about a mile from me, and within a few blocks of some winding streets which apparently have quite a reputation for getting their Christmas on. Jason and Heather had family over this past Saturday, as tradition dictates, and then they all go for a stroll down to look at the lights. They invited me to join them, and I was eager to participate.
We got to the part of the neighborhood where the homes were lit up like the Vegas strip. It was awesome! Evidently, the homeowner's association all but requires people to participate. And boy, do they! We saw houses with a variety of themes to them. Many featured Disney movie themes, some feature Charlie Brown and his pals. We saw several nativity scenes. We even saw one which had several wooden snowmen on the lawn which depicted them playing baseball. Many of them had Boston Red Sox hats or jerseys on them, so that particular family's allegiance was not hard to discern.
There was one home that featured The Beatles on their front lawn. But to me, what took the cake was the home with Marilyn Monroe prominently placed at the top-center of the roof under bright lights and a rotating color light ball. As you can see, it was Marilyn's classic pose from the movie The Seven Year Itch. I'm not sure that this particular image will crack into the top Christmas icons for the ages, but I have to say, it was unique.
It was a great night. Many of the homeowners pull out their portable fire pits right on to their driveways, round up a bunch of chairs, and just watch the people walk and drive by. There were hundreds and hundreds of people walking through the neighborhoods. Everyone having a great time, everyone festive and behaving appropriately. No one was in a hurry. It wasn't too cold. It really was a perfect night for this.
I was rather shocked to see the numbe
r of limousines parading the streets, with people of all ages hanging out the windows to take in the sights. There were also countless cars with small children standing in cars and SUVs taking in the view through open sunroofs, a la Dino from The Flintstones. From what I understand, people drive from as much as 45 minutes away to come visit this neighborhood.
As a big kid, I love living in a community which celebrates the season. Many people I passed that night were not afraid to say, "Merry Christmas." I have to admit, it almost catches me by surprise these days. I don't expect everyone to celebrate the religious origins of Christmas, but I'm happy when I see people unafraid to use the term which has almost become controversial. It is Christmas, after all.
I love Christmas. I love Christmas traditions. You can bet that taking a stroll through this neighborhood will be part of my Christmas activities as long as I live here.
