Mayre Lou and I went to the old Ritz Theatre in downtown Brunswick last night to see a local rendition of Dicken's Christmas Carol. The city mayor played the lead, and students and other locals took up the remaining parts. It was a fun evening.
Of course, I remembered the basic plot of the story, but was still amazed and somewhat delighted by the transformation of Scrooge by that one Christmas. He went from being a miserly, "bah humbug" character to one of warmth and consideration of others. He was able to see Christmas through a different set of eyes.
Now Christmas comes on the same day of the same month every year. We may have the same traditions, the same lights, even the same church services, but could I possibly see it in a different way after all the holidays I have observed in my life. That is a challenge.
I know the Christmas Story, the narrative of God sending His Own Son to earth, to take on human form, to live among men so that men could live with Him forever, but do I really "know" the story?
Like so many others, I decry the commercialization of Christmas, but might it be just as dangerous to accept the routines of this particular Holiday in a way that the whole purpose of God is trivialized into trees, candles and gifts.
I would like to celebrate this Christmas through new eyes, and if it takes the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future to help that to happen, bring them on.
Routines and traditions are great in their place, but newness of sight and heart make the season fresh and alive.
God, let it be so.
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