The annual lament has begun-our society/people/being politically correct is trying to keep Christ out of Christmas. Maybe it is the focus on decorations or the arrival of Santa BEFORE Thanksgiving. Maybe it the excessive spending on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Maybe it is those 'Happy Holiday' signs instead of 'Merry Christmas.' Maybe it is your frustration that a nativity display is not being allowed again this year outside the courthouse. Whatever it is, some of us are reacting. I have read letters to the editor or posts on face book and overheard comments at the mall all protesting what we see as someone attempting to take Christ out of Christmas.
In response to this lament I would like to offer a modest proposal. If you really feel that strongly about this then do something to keep 'Christmas in Christ.' The next time your feelings get stirred up or you are suddenly bothered about the seeming absence of Christ in Christmas do something. Immediately reach in your wallet and take some dollar bills out and set them aside to drop in the next Salvation Army red kettle you pass. Go to the grocery store and, as you check out, buy one of those brown paper bags filled with groceries for the needy. Visit a nursing home and ask to visit someone who has few, if any, visitors. Donate one of those winter coats you have in your closet. Start singing a Christmas carol as you fight your way through a sea of shoppers. Find one of those Christmas Trees decorated with requests for a present for a child and take one. OR give at least 10 percent of what you spend on Christmas to a church or charity for the hungry and homeless. You get the idea.
I don't think it is about whether or not there can be a nativity display or the singing of carols or what words are on the sign in the store. I do think it is about 'Keeping Christmas in Christ!' AND that means caring for those who need the hope of Christmas the most this year. No one can keep 'Christ out of Christmas' as long as we 'Keep Christmas in Christ.'
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
"Imagine That"
On November 10 I was standing on Mars Hill, a rocky pinnacle offering a panoramic view of ancient Athens. Behind me towered the breath-taking Parthenon, a testament to the building skills of ancient Greeks and one of the Wonders of the Ancient World. Here was a boy from the small town of Reno, Pennsylvania standing where the Apostle Paul preached--Imagine That!
It took my breath away! As I stood there in awe another tourist passed by and I heard her say these words: "Been there, done that, what's next?" Imagine That! The uneven top of Mars Hill has been polished by millions of feet over the centuries requiring you to pay attention or fall hard. Standing there you are little more than a speck dwarfed by the towering pillars of antiquity. AND she has been there, done that, while diminishing the moment with her words-Imagine That!
Am I really so different? I take some pictures, glance around, remind myself I have seen it all before, and wait for the last person in my group to head down. Her words were a shout to my soul to wake me again to an incredible moment in my life. I was standing where Paul had a good old-fashioned, no-holds-barred discussion with philosophers and the curious! How could I not be moved by the wonder of it all?
The daily temptation is to lose sight of just how incredibly wondrous this life is. Wonder gets lost in routine and repetition. You do not have to go to Athens, Greece to experience the incredible gift of wonder. The moments surround us: the deep, from-the-belly laughter of a happy baby in a restaurant...the gentle snore of a life partner laying beside you in the darkness of the night...a white rose still blooming on November 22...the memory of my Grandpa Boyles making cranberry relish for our Thanksgiving Dinner. Life is full of such moments but many are missed because we have 'been there, done that.' I invite you to be soul shocked again this week by how awesome life is. Imagine That this Thanksgiving!
It took my breath away! As I stood there in awe another tourist passed by and I heard her say these words: "Been there, done that, what's next?" Imagine That! The uneven top of Mars Hill has been polished by millions of feet over the centuries requiring you to pay attention or fall hard. Standing there you are little more than a speck dwarfed by the towering pillars of antiquity. AND she has been there, done that, while diminishing the moment with her words-Imagine That!
Am I really so different? I take some pictures, glance around, remind myself I have seen it all before, and wait for the last person in my group to head down. Her words were a shout to my soul to wake me again to an incredible moment in my life. I was standing where Paul had a good old-fashioned, no-holds-barred discussion with philosophers and the curious! How could I not be moved by the wonder of it all?
The daily temptation is to lose sight of just how incredibly wondrous this life is. Wonder gets lost in routine and repetition. You do not have to go to Athens, Greece to experience the incredible gift of wonder. The moments surround us: the deep, from-the-belly laughter of a happy baby in a restaurant...the gentle snore of a life partner laying beside you in the darkness of the night...a white rose still blooming on November 22...the memory of my Grandpa Boyles making cranberry relish for our Thanksgiving Dinner. Life is full of such moments but many are missed because we have 'been there, done that.' I invite you to be soul shocked again this week by how awesome life is. Imagine That this Thanksgiving!
"Focus"
I was eating my breakfast on the cruise ship while taking in the view of Istanbul, Turkey-a good beginning to the day. A man walking by my table noticed my Penn State shirt. He said: "Takes courage to wear that today. Aren't you ashamed?" The night before the news had reached me about the tragic story of reported abuse of young boys by a former Penn State coach.
Arriving home I found a face book message waiting for me that was anything but funny. It said: "If an older woman who likes younger men is called a cougar, is an older man who likes young boys called a Nittany Lion." Yesterday's newspaper featured a story about the steep decline in the sale of Penn State clothing since the news broke about this scandal.
FOCUS! The real story is that innocence for too many young boys was taken away from them. The real story is that their lives are not and will never be the same again. They live with wounds and memories that affect emotions and actions long after this story is back page news. What does it matter that sales are off? What does it matter if someone uses the opportunity to 'dig me' about my college team? What does it matter if anyone thinks I should be ashamed to wear Penn State apparel? What matters is what happened to these young boys and what impact all of this will have on their lives! It is reported one boy has had to leave his high school because of other students reactions to him coming forward to report the abuse.
FOCUS! In the handful of days I have been back home there has been at least one news story every day about a teacher, a neighbor, a family member, a coach, a politician who has been charged with sexual abuse of a child. What is wrong with us that so many cannot/will not control their impulses or keep themselves from places of opportunity to betray the trust our children give to adults? What does it say about us that so many young boys and girls are victims without voice-fearful they will not be believed?
My heart is with the victims, identified by a number that is exponentially multiplied each and every day across our country. I am not concerned what anyone thinks when they see me in my Penn State sweatshirt. I am not concerned by the insensitive remarks I receive. I am not concerned about the reputation of PSU. I am not concerned how much clothing is sold. I am concerned that too many lives were violated at PSU and across our country. Lets FOCUS on doing all we can to address the real tragedy of lost innocence and wounded lives that is repeated day after day.
Arriving home I found a face book message waiting for me that was anything but funny. It said: "If an older woman who likes younger men is called a cougar, is an older man who likes young boys called a Nittany Lion." Yesterday's newspaper featured a story about the steep decline in the sale of Penn State clothing since the news broke about this scandal.
FOCUS! The real story is that innocence for too many young boys was taken away from them. The real story is that their lives are not and will never be the same again. They live with wounds and memories that affect emotions and actions long after this story is back page news. What does it matter that sales are off? What does it matter if someone uses the opportunity to 'dig me' about my college team? What does it matter if anyone thinks I should be ashamed to wear Penn State apparel? What matters is what happened to these young boys and what impact all of this will have on their lives! It is reported one boy has had to leave his high school because of other students reactions to him coming forward to report the abuse.
FOCUS! In the handful of days I have been back home there has been at least one news story every day about a teacher, a neighbor, a family member, a coach, a politician who has been charged with sexual abuse of a child. What is wrong with us that so many cannot/will not control their impulses or keep themselves from places of opportunity to betray the trust our children give to adults? What does it say about us that so many young boys and girls are victims without voice-fearful they will not be believed?
My heart is with the victims, identified by a number that is exponentially multiplied each and every day across our country. I am not concerned what anyone thinks when they see me in my Penn State sweatshirt. I am not concerned by the insensitive remarks I receive. I am not concerned about the reputation of PSU. I am not concerned how much clothing is sold. I am concerned that too many lives were violated at PSU and across our country. Lets FOCUS on doing all we can to address the real tragedy of lost innocence and wounded lives that is repeated day after day.
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