Christmasland

                By Rick Blumenberg / @rickblumenberg

When I was a young lad, not old and not wise,

I used to reflect under December skies,

"Wouldn't it be wonderful to live around here,

if we could have Chris­tmas every week of the year?

“Star light and star bright, first star I see tonight,”

I would wish, I would wish, with all of my might,

and in all of my wishing I would smile cheek to cheek

to think of the gifts I'd receive every week!

So one winter evening I climbed into bed,

sunk down in the feathers and covered my head.

I went to sleep there but I woke up again

in a wonderful place that they called Christmas land.

I jumped out of bed for I wanted to learn

When they gave out the gifts so I'd not miss my turn.

But I looked all around and not once did I see

Any bright Christmas lights or a green Christmas tree.

I did find some money all covered with rust

And stamped on it plain was "In God Do We Trust."

I asked an old man as he passed by the way, and he said,

"Who needs money when each day's Christmas Day?"

With so much that's different and everything strange

I traveled and saw everywhere was the same.

I looked into farm homes and I looked in the towns

But nowhere did I see any gifts lying round.

Once while out walking I saw a child hurt

And a teenager lifted him out of the dirt.

First he dusted him off then he patted his head

And as they were parting, "Merry Christmas!" he said.

I saw many old folks and all of them glad

Cause they were not lonely and they were not sad.

It seems friends and family were always about

Because in Christmas Land there is no one left out.

I saw many things and I learned quite a lot.

I learned what was Christmas and I learned what was not.

You don't really need tinsel to light up a face

When the Spirit of Jesus is in every place.

And you needn't give gifts just one day of the year

Cause giving's a habit that's common 'round here.

Every day is Christmas because Jesus came

And everyone serves him every day just the same.

So now I'm a grown-up, more aged and wise

With sometimes a far-away look in my eyes.

And if you would ask me you'd probably hear,

"I'd like to have Christmas every day of the year!  

I'm Rick Blumenberg,and that's My View from Tanner Creek.
    

Confessions of a Christmas Lover

Guest Essay by Kathy Gray

I confess. I love Christmas—all of Christmas. I love decorating trees and fireplaces; I love twinkly lights and baking Christmas cookies. I love silly Christmas movies with silly stories. And yes, I love gifts. I LOVE gifts—unapologetically.

I love finding the perfect gifts and the excitement of giving them. I love the thrill of a gift-heaped tree and the anticipation of all the surprises. I love opening presents all morning and enjoying them all afternoon. And...

I think God enjoys it too. I think he's a Father in heaven that finds pleasure in joyful, excited kids, just like we do. And I believe we glorify him more in our overflowing joy, than our dour admonitions to "have the right focus."

What exactly is "the right focus" anyway? I'm curious. If someone went to a remote part of the world today and discovered a pagan holiday, imbibed it with religious significance, then declared that March 14th was the day we were all to observe this—would we be obligated? Would God expect us to focus extra hard on that specific truth because some Christian somewhere decided this was a good idea? God gave numerous celebrations in Scripture, loaded with spiritual significance, which we routinely ignore. But the revised pagan celebration from ancient England, which is nowhere to be found in the Bible—we endlessly admonish ourselves for neglecting. How ironic.

I love thinking about the incarnation. It is an awesome and stunning reality that deserves to be renewed regularly in our hearts. But I feel no more obligation to do so in December than I do in July. There is nothing Biblically binding about our Christmas celebration beyond the principles that apply to every day of our lives such as goodness, faithfulness, generosity, gratitude, contentment, peace, joy, patience, and kindness.

I'm not sure what it says about us when the pagans exhibit more joy in their holiday celebrations than we do. I think we should be the merriest people on earth, exhibiting such contagious joy that everyone around us is asking why we enjoy life so much. If I were an unbeliever, I would certainly NOT want to be a Christian during Christmas...with the incessant guilt-laden admonitions, dour expressions, and weary sighs. Nothing about this is attractive.

So no, I don't feel guilty in the least during the holiday season for not focusing enough on Jesus' birth. I feel the same freedom I feel every day of the week to focus on Christ in a whole array of ways. And yes, I love Christmas. I choose to focus on Christ by observing that he gave the most amazing gift to those he loved when he came to earth. Consequently, I want to have a generous heart towards those I love as well. I want to reflect his goodness by rejoicing in the fact that every good and perfect gift is from the Father above, and he gives these good gifts for our enjoyment. I want to honor him with exceeding joy and gratitude in the midst of all these good gifts. And if any unbelievers are watching, I want my joy and celebration to be irresistible.

Meet Kathy Gray. . .

Kathy Gray is our daughter, a home-school mom, a teacher par excellance, and, as you can see, an excellent writer—and a lover of Christmas. She, and our daughter Twyla, get their writing ability from me (and my mother) and their love of Christmas from their mother, my wife, Carol. (I actually enjoy it almost as much, but only because of how well Carol and the girls pull it off. They all three love to give gifts that fit and bring happiness to the people they love, and like Kathy, I think that’s a virtue to praise God for, not a behavior to be ashamed of.

Thanks Kathy, for a beautiful essay and a wonderful statement of faith. I love you!

I'm Rick Blumenberg . . .and that's My View from Tanner Creek.