JUST A LITTLE BIT MOREWell, here we are, just a few days before Christmas day. Many have been so busy running from store to store, shopping till they drop, that it will be a huge relief just to have it all over with. Others are full of anticipation, looking forward to the frenzy of ripping and tearing of Christmas wrappings on presents that accompanies the day
As I thought about this I was reminded of the writing of the beloved author "Dr. Seuss," who wrote these enduring words of truth:
"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more? "
I know that some of you struggle with this holiday of Christmas. I as well as you know the history of the season. The how and why it took on a religious significance that we don't find in any command in the bible. We understand that fables are mixed with truth and are promoted at this time of the year. We understand that it has become a greatly commercialized holiday, capitalized on by almost every store owner and business in the world.
Yet understanding that, most of us come to the same illogical, very human conclusion that: "it just doesn't matter." We choose to celebrate Christmas (for whatever reason, religious or non-religious), simply because we want to. Now it may seem odd for me to say this, but I'm in agreement with that reasoning.
The apostle Paul wrote in Romans 14:5-6a, "In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him." (NLT) Another paraphrase of this says it this way: "Or, say, one person thinks that some days should be set aside as holy and another thinks that each day is pretty much like any other. There are good reasons either way. So, each person is free to follow the convictions of conscience. What's important in all this is that if you keep a holy day; keep it for God's sake." (MSG)
So, what if this average, ordinary day is "just a little bit more" to some folks, is there anything wrong with that? Considering what Paul had to say, I really don't think so, but it's clear that you have to follow your own conscience on this matter.
Oh, and by the way, Merry Christmas!
Russ Lawson
