So This Is Christmas

(Source)

'Tis the season, as they say, a time for merriment, friends, and family.

But do we remember the true reason for the season? Long ago and far from my native land, a couple were blessed with the birth of an infant. No, it probably didn't occur in December, that was Mother Church's way of getting some of the pagans to play. I mean we all like our holidays and our traditions, the Church knew that to take that away, people would resist. So they co-opted those old pagan traditions and made them Christian. (Just as they took the old pagans and made them Christians!)

The important thing to remember...

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace

There will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgment and justice

From that time forward, even forever.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

-- Isaiah 9:6-7 New King James Version

It's not the when of the thing, it's the what.

We sometimes forget that the whole point of this season is to remember the birth of our Savior, Christ the Lord. One thing which is going wrong in this world is that far too many have turned away from church, from the worship of God. We will pay a steep price for that if we are not careful.

I'm not the most religious of men, though I attend church every Sunday, (I might miss a Sunday or two in a year, but I try to be there). Many times I wonder why. Like I said, I'm not the most religious of men, but I am spiritual, I know there's a reason for me being here. I know that the Lord watches over me, it's the only way to explain me surviving the many foibles of my youth.

Enjoy the season, it is, after all, about love. Like the song says, all you need is love. If you have it, whether giving or receiving, everything else falls into place. At least that's my experience.

Speaking of that song, one of the writers of that wrote another one, which for many years I didn't really care for. Times change, one may gain wisdom, if one is patient. While I've always liked the tune, some of the lyrics I didn't care for when the song first came out.

1971 was the year, I had graduated from high school, I was in college, I had a draft card. Guys my age, though the war was winding down, were still dying in Vietnam. I wasn't scared, not really (I was too stupid to be afraid), but when I received my draft lottery number (201) I was somewhat relieved. (I still remember my number, I looked it up to be sure, but some things you don't forget.)

Now I'm older, a bit wiser (thanks to The Missus Herself), this year I listened to the lyrics, I mean really listened. It ain't a bad little song, not much there to argue with. YMMV

So this is Christmas

And what have you done

Another year over

And a new one just begun

And so this is Christmas

I hope you have fun

The near and the dear one

The old and the young

A very Merry Christmas

And a happy new year

Let's hope it's a good one

Without any fear

And so this is Christmas

For weak and for strong

For rich and the poor ones

The world is so wrong

And so happy Christmas

For black and for white

For yellow and red ones

Let's stop all the fight

A very Merry Christmas

And a happy new year

Let's hope it's a good one

Without any fear

And so this is Christmas

And what have we done

Another year over

A new one just begun

And so happy Christmas

We hope you have fun

The near and the dear one

The old and the young

A very Merry Christmas

And a happy new year

Let's hope it's a good one

Without any fear

War is over, if you want it

War is over now

-- John Lennon, Yoko Ono (Source)

May peace and love be yours, all the year round.