The Meaning of Christmas

As I sit here two days before Christmas I am reminded of days long past when Christmas was more than blue light specials, Black Friday's, Cyber Monday's,  and last minute sales. Oh sure there were parties and presents and masses of wrapped gifts under the tree with each kid secretly yearning to have just one more present than anyone else did. We acted just like modern kids do with our toys that we played with for hours on end before we lost interest for the next shiny thing to catch our eye.

But for all the presents, toys, and gadgets we had, it seemed there was More. Families reconnecting after a year of living the hurried life, A chance to see uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents. A chance for laughter, love and the renewal of the holiday Spirit.

And as I grow older, I think back with fond memory to those simpler, more innocent days of my youth and frankly I miss it. But age also gives me wisdom and I think more not just of get together's but of the 'reason for the season' as the old saying goes.  Where would we be, as a People, were it not for that long ago simple birth in a stable?  A favorite television program explains it thusly:

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And Lo the angle of the Lord came down upon them, and the  glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men."  That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.

From all of us at Off the Beaten Path we wish you, and yours, a Very Merry Christmas.