SUNDAY SERVICES:

The Symbolic Power of Christmas Attire

Christmas is a season when the world becomes a festive wonderland filled with lights, decorations, and notably, distinctive attire. From Santa hats to Christmas sweaters, the clothing we select during this time carries more than just a fashion statement—it holds deep symbolic significance.

This custom of dressing up acts as a connection between the material and spiritual worlds, mirroring the profound themes of the holiday.

The Wilderness as a Symbol of Transformation

In the rich tapestry of the Christmas story, the wilderness emerges as a wonderful symbol of transformation. Often overlooked, this barren land is where the magic happens.

The wilderness, with its wild landscape and lack of human structures, sets the stage for divine moments and spiritual refreshment. It's in these quiet places that characters in biblical stories experience big changes, opening the door to a new understanding of faith and purpose.

As we get closer to the Christmas season, let's take a moment to think about the special time of Advent and how we can prepare for it with intention. It's not just about putting up decorations or hurrying to get everything done; it's about embarking on a meaningful, spiritual journey to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Decades ago a Jamaican work colleague gave me a gift. I don’t remember if it was something wrapped with a bow or simply a compliment.

I responded by saying, “No, you shouldn’t have,” or something to the effect of saying that I really didn’t need it or deserve it.

What I remember distinctly is his reply. He said, “You Americans, you don’t know how to receive a gift!” 

I had insulted him. It was just a cultural difference, but it got me thinking. I intended to convey humility, but to him, it was arrogance and rejection.

The weekend after Thanksgiving my husband pulled down our "four boxes of Christmas" from the garage shelf. Storage is limited in our house, so we have gone a bit minimal when it comes to Christmas decor.

We also have a live tree. I'd like to tell you it's because we like the look and smell of live trees (and this may be true for everyone else in my family), but my main reason is that we don't have to store it January through November.  Plus, we save it for kindling in our outdoor fireplace; it burns like flash paper (which is a little unsettling, I must say).

So over the years we have whittled Christmas down to four boxes. One box holds the Nativity set. One box holds the Carollers.  One box holds the ornaments.  And the last box holds the lights and the tree skirt.

We untangle the colored lights for the tree (yes, we are a colored light family), and then we untangle the white lights for the porch. They are the worst.

But the lights are also magic.

Every Advent, our church in Pittsburgh held an outreach for the children and families in the community to explain the real meaning of Christmas.

Up to 7,000 children and adults came each year during the four days we called “The Joy of Sharing Christmas.” Tour guides led groups of 25-35 through a series of rooms where live actors in costume would share the REAL Christmas story.

So what does the real Christmas story look like?

The lights are up, the sparkly ads are on TV, the Christmas carols are playing. YES! The holiday season is here!  The Most Wonderful Time of Year, Jingle Bells and Oh What Fun, Holly Jolly Christmas, and you know so many songs that tout the happiness of the season and the lightness and brightness of it all… 

When I was about 10 years old, my mom took me to the eye doctor. I thought it was a waste of her time, energy, and money, all of which were hard to come by with a husband, 7 children and a full-time job. My sight was fine, or so I thought!  Well, if you have known me for any time at all, you know I wear glasses, and have since that day!

And, to my surprise, with glasses and the prescription lenses, everything was sharper, crisper, clearer and I could see so much further!  My world expanded into one I had not ever known!

Agape and Eros are two of the three key Greek words for love, (the third being Philia), and is the title of a book by Anders Nygren that used to be on my shelf in my dorm room in West Philadelphia - the city of brotherly love.  My last year at seminary I dove into the passage from John 21 that many consider the greatest dialogue in scripture.  That is the 7 exchanges between Peter and Jesus, vs 15-22.

This year my son had a Lego Star Wars Advent calendar.  Yes, such a thing exists.  Each day he opened a little cardboard flap to take out the pieces of a tiny tie fighter or Darth Vader in a Christmas sweater.  He loved it: every day a new discovery, something to look forward to.  

I need that, too.

Christmas shopping is when you go to a shopping center and become a moving target for hundreds of half-crazed and half-blind drivers – drivers who know no fear and would challenge a Sherman tank for a parking place.

It’s where you go to cash in on all the non-bargains Madison Avenue has prepared for you to purchase. It’s tiring and draining on me, Christmas shopping.