Over the past ages, Christmas has been a very controversial subject. Many people have rejected it outright as a replacement for an old pagan holiday. Others have rightly put it aside because it nearly turned into a pagan holiday as in the days of the Pilgrims and Puritans. On the other hand, some have gone way to far in fantasizing the Christmas theme making it seem like a perfect experience filled with perfect people; as the Italians did with their extravagant
presipi promoted by King Carlo in 1734. Still others, in modern days have totally forgotten what Christmas represents and turn it into "Santa Claus day".
Christmas, as you may guess from the name, was started by the Catholics; originally called Christ's Mass. Some say it was for the Roman Christians who were used to celebrating their pagan holiday, Saternalia, around this time, and wanted something else to replace it. However it was, Jesus was most likely not born in the wintertime nor in the snow as the song I posted last suggests. So then if Christmas was started this way, why do I celebrate it? Because of the former reasons, some people have even gone to the extent of not singing any Christmas songs. I believe that even though it did start out as something bad, we can use it for good. For example, in our family we have the tradition of everyone giving everyone else a gift. This helps to get our minds off ourselves and thinking about others. Getting presents for nine other people is a big deal. Some people have worked hard to symbolize every thing and say that the gifts represent God's gift to us and the Christmas tree, which is evergreen, represents the fact that Christ is everlasting and His salvation endures forever. But this doesn't necessarily change any thing. What matters most is where our hearts are. If Christmas has become a stressful time for you because you have to get everything just perfect. Then perhaps you could rearrange things so it is less formal and more relaxed. We decorate and have a tree, but we only do it because its fun. We don't climb up on the roof to hang holly and lights, because that would really get stressful for us. But if it is not a stressful time, and if it indeed Glorifies Christ, then why not celebrate it? Even though Jesus may not have been born on December twenty fifth, why not choose that day to remember it? For me, Christmas is a time to remember God's gift to man, an excuse to give my family presents, and a time to forget about the stresses life brings, and focus on God and my family. I think though for me, the best part of Christmas is not the tree,(though it really smells nice), it is not decorating, (even though its extra fun), its not the presents, (though I love seeing the expression on my sibling's faces when they open my gift, especially if its a joke present); But it is the beautiful Christmas music that I really look forward to every season. Now I believe in singing about Christ's birth at any time of the year, However, it is Christmas time when everyone pulls out the Christmas CD's and people start posting beautiful Christmas arrangements on their blogs, and, interestingly enough, its the only time of the year that I hear nice music in some stores! Last year, I was at a store where I brace myself every time I enter, because the music is always so dark and evil sounding. This time, however, I nearly dropped my basket in amazement because they were playing Handel's Messiah!!! I should say, that is a really nice benefit of Christmas. So now all you faithful readers who have stuck with me through this long epistle, I will present you with another of my favorite old carols,
"O come O come Emanuel".
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
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O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.
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O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
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O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
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O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
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O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.
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O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Refrain
Merry Christmas.
