Every year around this time, I have a familiar experience. I’m out shopping, and I’ll go through the checkout line, and pay for my stuff. When the cashier hands me back the change, they’ll say “Happy holidays,” or perhaps even “Merry Christmas.”
I realize that this comment is not always motivated by the cashier’s genuine interest in whether or not I enjoy my holiday. I’m aware that they may be saying this because they’ve been told to. I can envision the memo from K mart corporate headquarters directing cashiers when to switch from “Have a nice day” to “Happy Holidays,” on the assumption that this will somehow help cement a lasting bond between the store and the customer that won’t evaporate when a Wal-Mart opens across the street.
I’m aware of all that, and suspicious of the whole business. But at least once every year, I have a cashier who looks me in the eye and says “Merry Christmas,” and really means it. And it changes my whole day.
There really is something genuine to this whole idea of Christmas cheer. As Dec. 25th draws near, people warm up just a bit. If you’re out and around on Christmas Eve, you’ll notice that people are friendlier than on any other day of the year.
Folks warm up when they are mindful of the Christ child’s birth, and make an extra effort to practice the virtues the angels sing of - “peace on earth, goodwill towards men.”
But consider this - why do we notice this at Christmas? Why does this surge in warmheartedness stand out? I think it’s because, despite our best intentions, good will towards men can easily become a seasonal event rather than a standing policy.
When Christ entered our world, he didn’t come to brighten our Decembers, but to transform our lives. It can be hard work to practice good will towards one another. But John the Baptist’s message was that as we prepare for Christ to come into our lives, we can change our ways.
The Gospel accounts of Jesus’ ministry provide the blueprint for loving our neighbor in a busy and complicated neighborhood. Christ made a point of seeking out the broken and disenfranchised people of his day - the lepers, prostitutes and tax collectors - and he saw the value in each one of them. And in so doing, He helped them recognize the value in themselves.
This Christmas season, let us recognize that just as faith is a decision, good will towards people is a series of decisions that work themselves out not in temporary holiday cheer, but in the details of everyday life.
These meditations were prepared by Rich Miller of Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Rich is a lay speaker who attends the The Hopewell United Methodist Church in Hopewell Borough, N.J.
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November 15th, 2008 at 3:46 am
Love the new look of the site. I am considering switching over to wordpress. Really like the template you are using!
November 23rd, 2008 at 1:48 am
Wow Rich!!! I have no words.. I am speechless…. What a wonderful, inspiring passage to read as I wake up this Sunday morning in a miserable and depressed South Africa. I love Christmas, I love writing Christmas activity books for kids. I don’t love Christmas time here, people stay away from the shops and malls because of the high crime rate - and generally if they buy presents and have great feasts for their families they won’t eat well for the next few months… thank you for writing this… I have a new feeling inside of me today!
Blessings xx
PS Magnificent blog you have here!
November 24th, 2008 at 4:07 am
Thank you for this inspiration. I’m looking for a way to make Christmas more than a shopping frenzy, and you’ve been a great help. find this passage in your meditation a real jewel:
“When Christ entered our world, he didn’t come to brighten our Decembers, but to transform our lives. It can be hard work to practice good will towards one another. But John the Baptist’s message was that as we prepare for Christ to come into our lives, we can change our ways.”
Merry Christmas!
December 8th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I’ve gotten so frustrated with the whole gift card thing. People don’t want to put any thought into a gift, and the recipient many times doesn’t like what they were given. What the heck? My 17 year old daughter seems to be finally growing out of the gift card thing. She’s beginning to understand gift giving from the heart.
We put together a gift basket guide. All kinds of novel ideas that you can put together based on what people like to do - like gardeners, readers, golfer, and so on. You can pick up a copy free at my blog. I think we came up with some pretty good ideas.
There’s also a free downloadable pdf of Christmas Songs. I first did that for my daughter’s girl scout troop, so feel free to grab that too.
I love this blog. I think I’ll be here a while….
December 8th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Nice article! I agree that we shouldn’t let the world influence us to make Christmas a once-a-year event. I don’t like the idea of hoarding away gifts to give at Christmas — tomorrow is not promised to any one of us. I’ve had experiences in which if I had waited, I would have missed the opportunity to give. Could this be why Jesus didn’t tell us “when” His birthday was? Christmas is a man-made tradition. “Love thy neighbour” means EVERY DAY.