Memories as Medicine

First things first; thanks to all of you who either posted a comment, emailed me or spoke to me in person with words of encouragement about "We Did not Realize the Dream." Sorry about falling into a funk on the internet. This blog is supposed to be just a little insight into my world. So to be true to it's purpose I have to be honest and I was honestly down. I'm still not happy over the outcome, but the outcome has ignited my curiosity to determine what it all means. There will be changes. There will have to be, but the changes may actually stir us from our spiritual slumber. We'll see.

Now, to the subject at hand. It is December 2 and as I write Burl Ives is singing "Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas" on my office radio. A strange thing happens to me during this time of year. Where I typically detest "sameness" and routine, I actually enjoy songs and stories I have heard repeated since I was child. Tomorrow night I have the DVR set to record "Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer." It is supposed to be in HD. (How do they do that?) I read "A Christmas Carol" and watch at least a couple of versions of the classic on the tube. The "Muppets Christmas Carol" is a family favorite and George C. Scott is more convincing as Scrooge than he was as Patton. My satellite radio is set on channel 81 instead of 129 (CNBC) and 66 and 68 (both Christian music). Eighty-one is continuous Christmas music from Elvis singing "Santa Claus is Back in Town" to Bing Crosby singing "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas". I will soon be reading the story of shepherds and wise men to our chidren and preschoolers as they gather around sitting still just long enough to hear of a baby born in a barn. I've been doing this so long now that some of those who once sat fidgeting at my feet listening to the Christmas story at my feet are now entering college. 

What is it that cause someone like myself, who doesn't even drive home from the office the same way two days in a row, to embrace tradition. I think I know. At least I have part of the answer. With all the disappointments in life; the bruised egos and thwarted dreams; the broken families and wayward children; the disgruntled church members who move to another church when things don't go their way; all the things you have to deal with in my position, Christmas is a reminder that God does care. He has not forgotten us. He cared enough to come to earth to save us. That is a message that all the crass commercialism in the world cannot obscure. All I have to do is to hear Andy Williams sing "O, Come All Ye Faithful" or Johnny Mathis croon "Little Drummer Boy" and I am carried back to my childhood. A time when I was just naive enough to believe Santa could be at the shopping plaza and in Sears downtown at the same time. (Not that I could attest to this first hand. I never crawled up in that scary man's lap. Are you kidding me?) A time when it didn't matter to me that shepherds and wise men were both depicted at the manger scene. (You did know that was incorrect, didn't you?) A time when my family was intact and the lack of presents under the tree was okay because we were all together. I guess it is okay to visit the past this time of year as long as you don't take up residence there. We'll talk again soon. Right now Amy Grant is singing "Winter Wonderland." 

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Ken          

Comments

[Kelley Mitts]

I too love Christmas!! I love all of the warm fuzzy feelings that come with the lights and smells of evergreen trees in the house. I always am reminded of wonderful family memories and thoughts of people who are no longer with us here but in Heaven. We have a lot of family traditions that no one else would understand but they mean the world to our family. Decorating the tree with Christmas music playing and lots of stories and laughter just feels right. I think that is how being at church feels every Sunday. Walking in feels like coming home every time. Our large family is there and traditions are long standing. Some traditions get laid to the side when I think they are sorely missed by many folks and some new traditions get started that make everyone smile. I think a nice mix (kind of like O Come All You Faithful being followed by Grandma got Run Over by a Reindeer on the radio) of old and new works. You speak of changes coming...please remember how tradition feels....maybe that's one of the missing ingredients in waking us from our slumber....Realize the Dream is still a present waiting to be opened and embraced by our church family....You are a blessing to Dallas Bay Baptist. Please don't confuse God's timing with blaming yourself.....Enjoy the season and get ready to open God's wonderful gifts for Dallas Bay Baptist.