In the words of the old joke: “As a whole, what do you think of the world today”? And the reply is: “As a hole, it’s fine, but as a world it’s really a mess”. Sad, but true. (Yes, I know, punny jokes don’t always work well in print--verbatim, as opposed to litteratim).
In reality, the only purpose of Christmas—the Incarnation—was to usher in the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus, the Christ. Somehow, instead, it has turned into an annual binge. Yes, I know all the stories: it can’t be a true anniversary—Jesus couldn’t have been a Capricorn—mid-winter in the Holy Land would have been too cold for camping in a stable; it’s a resurrection of the Saturnalia, Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, etc., etc.
But that’s not the point! The reality is that Christianity has allowed one of its most significant memorial days to be hijacked by the commercial world. It has become a time for anything but worshipping God.
You will probably detect the lyrics of a few Christmas carols below, but please, don’t try to sing them. It is not my intention to write lyrics, or to bring jollity—I’m trying to raise awareness. I am a harbinger of bad news.
A Christmas Lament in Five Sonnets
O little town of Bethlehem!
How low one needs to lie,
In order to avoid the hail
Of gunfire passing by.
The Sons of Abraham all say
That God is on their side.
Both Jew and Muslim make the claim
That He’s their Heavenly Guide.
Yet, in this land called ‘Holy’,
They’ve fought two thousand years.
And still, there won’t be any peace
‘Til Christ Himself appears.
Forgive them, Lord. Forgive their sin.
Open their hearts and enter in.
Sing choirs of angels
Dance and loudly sing!
The dreadful sound of orphans’ tears
Drowns out the News you bring.
Into this world there came a babe,
Born to be a King.
He set aside His kingly might
His heavenly peace to bring.
And yet, we fail to see the point
Of peace come from above.
In a world that’s out of joint
We don’t know how to love.
Forgive us, Lord. Forgive our sin.
Open our hearts and enter in.
Ding dong! Merrily on high,
In stores the cashpoints jingle.
Another bumper Yuletide binge
Makes vendors’ fingers tingle.
Silent night, holy night,
Spoiled by noise, and garish light.
People flee when gangsters clash,
While sirens sound and blue lights flash.
Burglars burgle, killers kill,
Rapists rape, and robbers steal.
Would that they were good as I,
Who sees a beggar, but walks on by.
I’d like to help, but I’m of the few
Who rush to church to worship You!
Can it be that years ago,
Long, long before our time,
You put the plan in motion
That would set us free from crime?
“What crime is that?” I ask, aghast.
“I’m pure as driven snow.
I live a life that’s always good.
I help nice folk I know.
“How dare you call me ‘Sinner!’
What is it that I’ve done?”
“The hardness of your heart”, He says,
Offends against My Son!”
Forgive me, Lord. Forgive my sin.
Open my heart and enter in.
Perhaps we’d hear the age-old cry,
If the noise of war would cease.
“Come unto me, you weary,
And I will give you peace.”
In a world that’s ruined by man’s will,
There’s still a hope, however dim.
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
Around the world that song of old
Continues loud to ring:
“O hush the noise, ye men of strife,
And hear the angels sing.”
“Soon,” the Lord says, “I shall come.”
“Amen,” I say, “Your will be done.”
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I have quoted, passim, from the following: O Little Town of Bethlehem, Philips Brooks (1835–1893); O Come All Ye Faithful, Frederick Oakley; Ding Dong! Merrily on High, George Ratcliffe Woodward (1848–1934); Silent Night, Joseph Mohr (1792–1848); Matthew 11:28; O Little Town of Bethlehem, Philips Brooks (1835–1893); It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, E. H. Sears (1810–1876); Revelation 22:20.
God bless us, every one!