Rain is forecast through Christmas. I like rain. It is better than ice. Kroger was full of people this morning…you would think it was Christmas. Many men are getting ready to do their Christmas shopping.

At Southern Illinois University it is the first day of the Christmas Holiday. One of my biggest Christmas presents is the 32 years, 2 months, and 3 weeks of my career. I admire my good friend Cyndy’s photos of Christmas Decorations that she posts on Facebook. Cyndy made Christmas special in Building Services.

Christmas heightens our senses. We see through new eyes. The warmth of our Christmas Tree adds to our peace.

Today is a Festivus Marathon on the Comedy Channel. On Seinfeld Georges’s father Frank introduced us to the holiday. It began with his shopping for a doll for George as a boy. He got into an altercation with another shopper for the last doll. As they rained blows on each other Frank realized that there must be a better way. Thus Festivus For The Rest Of Us… The primary components of the special day are an aluminum pole in place of a Christmas Tree and the Airing of Grievances. George was required to fight his father to the point of pinning him before the special day concluded.

All of us share Fuzzy Memories. Strange or unusual occurrences occurred at Christmas with varying degrees of shock or laughter. Perhaps your Christmas past was reminiscent of the iconic movie Christmas Vacation. Have you ever had Yuppie Neighbors? Did Grandma offer you a quarter to rub her bunions? Was Christmas such a big deal to Dad that he overdid it with laughable results?

We are all trying to keep Christmas in our own way… Bob Cratchit kept it in his way. He was not deterred by little money a sick Tiny Tim and a bad boss. Bob chose to look on the bright side of life.

Mary and Joseph chose faith. In the midst of the impossible, they believed. The angel told her that she was carrying the son of God. Joseph heeded what his wife told him…he believed Mary. The world was oblivious to them. The religious world did not know them. The Heavens helped out. A Star to guide the Wisemen. Shepherds heard the call of a magnificent event. The animals were overjoyed at the coming of peace.

A bit like today. We are all occupied with our life events. We rush from cradle to grave as if someone is keeping time with a stopwatch…a race. Yet, the story of the ages is transpiring before our eyes.

It was a crystal clear sky. Stars painted the heavens. Tomorrow will be a busy day. Government officials were in town. The heart of business is business…they said. That meant money filling the coffers of the state. More money for roads building new temples and for the pockets of the well-connected.

No one noticed the young couple. Her belly was large with the child. He had the care of the world on his shoulders. They were not well-connected. Government officials did not know their names. His hands were rough with blisters. She looked uncomfortable on a donkey. She gave her husband a sense of place. She was his home. When she told him something he believed it.

All doors were shut. No one had time or place for an unknown couple when famous folks were everywhere.

Julio and Abigail hovered under a threadbare blanket outside the Broadway Theatre. Brilliant lights lit up the Great White Way. The merry people laughed and loved as they walked the street of gold. Red and green were everywhere. Abigail wept as she listened to the Carolers. Julio did not know that she was pregnant. She was afraid to tell him. What would they do…where would they go…who would care. They had no friends…no one knew them. Their skin was dark in a place where light skin had cache.

‘Behold this day in the city of David a Saviour is born…Christ the Lord.’

‘Please come in we have a place for you to sleep in our Costume Shop,’ Wendy said. ‘I will fix some chicken noodle soup for you,’ Wendy said with a wonderful smile. ‘There is an abundance of clothes in the Shop and the cots are comfortable…tomorrow I will take you to see an OBGYN to aid in your pregnancy,’ Wendy said with a beatific smile.

‘How did you know I was pregnant,’ Abigail asked? ‘I have told no one…not even Julio,’ Abigail said.

‘An Angel told me…tomorrow is Christmas,’ Wendy said…

The first day of winter is here. The shortest day of the year. We have transitioned from sweater weather to sweater and jacket weather. A day or two ago, a cold wind cut to the core of your being. I thought of Christmas in Chicago a long time ago.

‘Hurry Billy B…Ivy will soon be here…she is bringing Susie and Steve,’ Neva J extorted. ‘The movie starts at 1:00 p.m. and we do not want to be late as it will be full for Christmas,’ Neva J laughed. ‘Seeing it on the silver screen will be like being in the movie with them,’ Neva J noted.

‘The Magnificent Mile will truly be Magnificent today…Christmas Day,’ Ivy said with glee! ‘Susie is in love with Lady and she thinks Tramp is handsome,’ Ivy chortled. ‘Susie says we must get a Cocker Spaniel in honor of Lady,’ Ivy smiled.

‘Set by me Billy B,’ Susie said with her beautiful smile. ‘You are my hero for bringing us to see Lady And The Tramp on Christmas Day’ Susie said as she clutched Billy Bs hand. ‘It is cold outside but warm in this Theatre,’ Susie smiled.

‘It is good to see you again Billy B,’ Lady said with a lovely face and a wag of her beautiful tail. ‘Have you seen the Siamese Cats…they are trouble,’ Lady continued. ‘Trusty is on the hunt for them with Jock helping him…you know Trusty is a senior citizen,’ Lady laughed.

‘Greetings Billy B…you making time with my girl,’ Tramp asked with a wink? ‘Soon we will open the Christmas gifts at the Darlings…you must join us,’ Tramp said with a little dance. ‘Pidge told me that you were her special friend,’ Tramp advised with a pat on Billy Bs back.

‘Come on Billy B…you slept through the movie but never let go of my hand,’ Susie said with a kiss on the cheek…

Cold Today. Cold and windy…making it chillier. I remembered the multicolored leaves of a few weeks ago as I looked at the bare branches. It felt like 14 degrees. Arthritis rheumatism and all the other isms are felt in the bitter wind.

Driving over to Polar Whip for cheap cheeseburgers I thought of Christmas gone by. Christmas has a pervasive feeling. The celebration of what has come before…the anticipation of what is next. Understanding that you are in the midst of your story.

Great Christmas memories are forming. Tara coming to see us before Thanksgiving. Christmas gifts from Marcy and Brock.

Two Black Friday trips to Paducah, Kentucky. The second was with Jennifer where we had fun at a Cigar Bar.

Christmas brings the mysterious peculiar impression that you have been there before. The look of the sky…the emotions of the moment…feeling of Home and Place. Looking for the Perfect Christmas when you are living in the Snow Globe now.

We seek the joys of Next. Seeking the perfect when the good better and best is all around us. A trap it is…a snare…to compare with others’ experiences when ours are so rich…

‘Well, this year I have asked Santa for a Big Swinger Polaroid Camera,’ Billy B said. ‘Neva J informed me that money is tight and that I should not get my hopes up,’ Billy B continued. ‘I failed to mention that I was hoping for some Rock-Um-Sock-Um-Robots as well,’ Billy B noted with a downcast stare.

‘You know the Rock-Em-Sock-Em-Robots are for smaller children,’ Chet asked? ‘I wanted them when I was younger but got a Daniel Boone Action Figure instead,’ Chet observed. ‘I like Daniel B better,’ Chet grinned.

‘In this corner is Red Rock weighing 200 pounds,’ the Announcer said. ‘His opponent is Blue Dog at 195 pounds,’ the Announcer continued. ‘In the Christmas Spirit they have chosen not to fight but to give Christmas gifts to needy children,’ the Announcer intoned.

‘Much of the year Blue Dog and I fight for our political beliefs with little thought for the children of our world,’ Red Rock said with a tear in his eye. ‘We are so concerned with winning and knocking each other Block-Off that we forget what we are fighting for,’ Red Rock said with feeling. ‘This year we must be the year of the children,’ Red Rock said.

‘All I look for is to see Red Rock’s Block rise above his body with the metallic squeak of victory,’ Blue Dog said. ‘However the sound of victory has become less satisfying through the years…nothing changes…we have the same problems of hunger and homelessness,’ Blue Dog said with sorrow. ‘There has to be a better way,’ Blue Dog said as if in prayer.

‘Oh my what happened,’ Billy B said with amazement. ‘Suddenly we were at a Boxing Match of the Rock-Em-Sock-Em-Robots and they were experiencing an Epiphany.

‘Stranger things have happened at Christmas,’ Chet advised with a wink…

‘You better watch out you better not cry…Santa Claus is coming to town.’ Our year is fast approaching its conclusion. As a young man, I enjoyed the fast passage of time. It seemed surreal to me. A workshift was like an hour and a workweek was like a day. I enjoyed my job and the hours flew by. This time of year spirits were high at SIUC. There were several days off with pay in store for us. Colleagues brought in all manner of sweet treats. Hope was at its zenith as I wore my long black coat around campus.

Working with young people keeps you young. The eyes were full of Christmas wonder. Students from around the world enjoyed Christmas at Southern. The University was Home. Everyone held a feeling of mission. Laughter filled the halls.

Christmas is a mystery. Its sights, sounds, smells and tastes are different from the rest of the year. The end of one year is the beginning of another. After the rest, there is good work to be done. People need to help. Making church better, working stronger, and making the home complete.

Aaron and Jonathon looked on…eyes of wonder and delight. Bruiser and Abigail tore up the Christmas paper. Possibilities abound. What comes next?

Daily trip to the Theatre between Christmas and New Year. The best movies were out. A Christmas Vacation was much like a Christmas we had experienced. After seeing the comedy classic Christmas was never the same…it was better…

Christmas is being a part of something big. I heard a program in the New York Times regarding variations of Christianity. The person advocated for ‘Thick Christianity.’ Christians endeavoring to imitate Jesus. People practice their bold faith by helping and forgiving others. He spoke of replacement constructs of life replacing Christianity such as MAGA and WOKE. The podcast noted that politics was a poor substitute for faith. Although he is an atheist he hoped for the bedrock principles of forgiveness and hope of Christ Teaching.

Laughing Santa says, ‘ One week to Christmas Eve. ‘The stockings are hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there.’ The song tells us it is beginning to look like Christmas everywhere you go…

There is a special mystical mysterious feeling in the air. We are different for a Season. The little things captivate our attention. Joy in the eyes of the young and young at heart. Renewed hope conviction purpose for our human family. The beginning of a dream that we do not want to awaken from.

We struggle and strive to obtain position and influence only to realize that our purpose is greater than the sum of our parts. The Christ Child awaits us in the manger. Meek and mild he beckons us to rethink our pursuit of money, power, and prestige. We are a soul in an earthen shell. If you have seen someone die you know that the loved one left the stage…all that is left is the theatre props.

Christmas sets us for the year…if we allow it to. Who can feel our demonstratable love? How can we help? Can we fill some empty stomachs? Jesus fed five thousand with a few loaves and fish. Perhaps we can replicate that miracle.

Activists become ensconced in privilege. Firebrands warm their feet by the crackling fire of their ornate fireplace. Let us not forget the loneliness of want.

I was pleased to find a section of my Apple Music. The title inspired this blog. Christmas joy is inspired by acts of kindness at Christmas.

Life seems to be moving forward. Change surrounds us while we are changing. Friends fall away while others are formed. Dreams anew during Advent. Could we be perpetually young hidden in a wrinkled shell?

MJ and I lit the Advent Candles yesterday. It had been many years since our last lighting in the Sanctuary. Memories of Aaron and Jonathon standing by our sides when we performed the candle ignition over 20 years ago were returned.

Christ is born again in our hearts. Hope for the hopeless. Comfort for the forlorn. The hidden are seen…the voiceless have a voice.

Bells are ringing…a call of renewal of Spirit a dedication to our fellow human family.

Toys will become old. Winter will work its magic. The focus will change. A trip through the woods in Santa’s Sleigh to invite the lonely to ride along is in order…

A star led the wise men to the manger to see the Baby Jesus. No big announcements in the Temple. No trumpets or fanfare for the coming of the Desire Of The Ages. Its surroundings were not prosperous. No golden chariots. Peace saturated the surroundings. From poor surroundings came a King by God’s definition.

My good friend Jeff tells me what the Native Americans said about a good day: A Good Day to Die. A thought that at first seems questionable…but it grows on you. So it goes with finding the nuances of Christmas.

Christmas is hidden in the eyes of others. Seeing the reflection of their dreams is inspiring. There are soft lights in the window. Joys from the past and hopes for the future. Begin again. We learn from our Christmases. Each builds upon the last. New life brings new hope.

Gifts given food shared time spent together. Who listens. When we hear another’s heart…we have received a marvelous gift.

‘Happy Holidays,’ said the Store Manager. ‘We know you have many choices in retail shopping and appreciate your patronage,’ Store Manager said with a plastered grin. ‘Here is a complimentary peppermint candy for your baby, SM said with a blank stare.

‘It just does not feel like Christmas this year,’ Jane said. ‘I look for it in the eyes of people I meet but mostly their eyes reveal anxiousness and stress,’ Jane continued. ‘There is so much to do and so little time to do it in,’ Jane bemoaned.

‘Come with me to St. Judes Hospital for their annual Christmas Cookie Sunday,’ Chet said. ‘The kids are wonderful with their parents drinking in their every move and gesture,’ Chet said with a twinkle in his eyes. ‘I have been going for several years it is the height of my Christmas Season,’ Chet said with a little dance…

‘You are so pretty,’ Little Girl said to Jane. ‘My doll has pretty hair like yours…I comb it every night,’ LG said. ‘I helped make the chocolate chip cookies…please help yourself,’ Little Girl offered with a beatific smile.

‘Are you Santa Claus,’ Little Boy asked? ‘Your belly is little and round like Santa,’ LB laughed. ‘If you are not Santa I bet you are one of his elves,’ Little Boy said with happy eyes.

‘Will you be my big sister,’ Little Girl asked Jane? ‘We could be pen pals,’ LG winked. ‘Will you sing a Christmas Carol with me,’ Little Girl asked…

‘Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child. Holy Infant so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace…Sleep in heavenly peace…’

No time to wait…time to go. We are on our way. Santa Claus is coming to town. He knows if we have been naughty or nice. He is making a list and checking it twice. The rain is falling the lights are calling.

The sleigh is clean, the packages are brilliant, bells are ringing, songs are to be sung, and laughter fills the air. It’s a different world, annew focus.

A Christmas Cigar at the Cigar Bar. No ill thoughts, mean deeds, or hurtful words. The path is snow-covered. The Deer Family nods and smiles. The trees are decorated with icicles and snow—not the canned kind but the real thing. Bing Crosby is singing along the sled path. He is wearing a Santa Suit and smoking his pipe, with the smoke encircling his head like a wreath.

Cares be gone… Hope returns… Peace reigns…

The Desire Of The Ages is born in a manger.