Christmas everywhere
Jim Thompson
By Jim Thompson
HCP columnist
It suddenly dawned on me: This is my 75th Christmas. Then I thought about all those Christmases and where I had been when I celebrated them.
But I quickly came to the present. Christmas touches the world today, even in places where Christ is not known. For instance, the workers in China making the strands of lights for your tree. They may not know Christmas, but they know it is a big deal.
Many, everywhere, may not know the true meaning of Christmas, but they are exposed to it and with a little curiosity, they can find out.
Many thinks of merchandise, or Santa Claus, but with a little curiosity, they can find out. One can bring up the word Christmas in July, and it has some meaning for them.
If one is a Christian, it is our responsibility to share the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of Christ. Next is our responsibility to share who Christ is and what he means to the world.
There are those attempting to de-Christianize our world. Until not so long ago, we referred to dates as “B.C.” and “A.D.,” signifying before or after Christ’s birth. True, the date was approximate, but it was an acknowledgement of the birth of Christ. In documentation today, one will see “BCE”—"Before Common Era” and “CE” – "Common Era.” This is a sad commentary on current thinking.
And there are, of course, the secular elements associated with the holiday.
Yet, as a Christian, I see it as my duty to lovingly steer folks to focus on the Christ-child. Contrast the joys of this occasion with the suffering we will associate with Easter, celebrated approximately three months from now.
Easter is also everywhere, and, again, we Christians are obligated to steer people toward its spiritual meaning.
I started down the path of remembering 75 Christmases with this column, but then I stopped. There is only one Christmas that is important – the first one, in a cow shed. Now known the world over, but not always for the right reason.
So, as you celebrate this season, remember the real reason.
Jim Thompson, formerly of Marshall, is a graduate of Hillsboro High School and the University of Cincinnati. He resides in Duluth, Ga. and is a columnist for The Highland County Press.