Now
just where is Christmas?
Something
has changed about Christmas in the year 2011.
It's
not that the first holiday items appeared in August and it is not
about the overabundance of potpourri, candles and other sources of
scents (some 2-legged) assaulting us in very location.
It
is certainly not the travesty that Whitman's (parent company, Russell
Stover) has visited on the concept of the communion elements of bread
and wine and changed them into chocolate.
[This
deserves a bit of explanation. You can buy a box of chocolates,
Forest, Forest Gump, with the name "JESUS" on the box.
Theologies of transubstantiation and other opinions aside, it is a
stretch to think that Christ Jesus abides in boxes of cocoa and
sugar. Someone looking for Jesus in a church, a temple, the Eucharist
or in the scripture might find it just too convenient to think that
the Person and Nature of the Prophet and Redeemer could be bought for
$4. Of course, I am waiting to see the boxes of "Jesus"
discounted 90% AFTER the 25th. A blasphemous and discounted idea of
Jesus is what many people hold on to, but this takes the fruitcake,
rum balls and throws away the manger, away, far away. Of course, chocolate has important nutritional and medicinal uses and maybe someone's good health might be helped by just a little taste of ... !?!]
"I
want" is a good thing to know and refine. This year, it was a
chorus when little minds saw plastic, electronic and other items and
responded like Pavlov's dogs to his famous bell.
During
this season some people went to some stores and found that their
layaway items had been paid for. In every place there are collections
and the distribution of food, toys and financial help. That is
charity. Charity is great and altruism is commendable, but where is
Jesus?
You
see it was not the incarnation that made the ancients excited. Jesus'
parents, the shepherds and a few Magi, a priest and so very few, knew
about that.
Jesus
was in and around the Sea of Galilee, made trips to Jerusalem, spent
a deliberately vague adolescence and young adulthood in the backdust
(not backwater, it is a dry place) town of Nazareth. His mother comes
to prominence early in the Gospels, we learn about his other family
members later and then he makes his presence known at about age 30.
Maybe a good idea for most of us.
The
New Testament has various stories from different people and records
the reaction of folk to what they heard about Jesus. Born yes, lived
for about 34 years, was crucified, rose on the 3rd day and then,
after a few visits with his closest followers and some larger
audiences, did what places him forever where there is reverence,
respect, wonder and grace ... he ascended into the heavens. (and did
not start a school of religion or build a single building and
certainly did not found a chocolate factory)
Come
January, Easter merchandise will appear. I hope the ghost of Mr.
Whitman haunts the whole company if they come out with pink or yellow
Jesus eggs chocolates or bunnies.
So
where is Jesus? Above and beyond anything we can sense. However, he
promised, "I am with you ...". And, if you look and
listen, you will find him ... in your heart I pray. ©
tim www.timjohnsonphoto.com
