[CS-FSLUG] Just thinking...

[Don Parris]

On Sun, 7 Nov 2004 14:25:20 -0500, Fred Miller <fmiller at lightlink.com> wrote:
> On Saturday November 6 2004 11:09 pm, Christopher Rose wrote:
> 
> 
> > I have been just thinking about this season that we are entering into. Some
> > of you know that we are in the season of Pentecost and will full soon be in
> > the season of Advent. I found myself thinking about this while at a thrift
> > shop this evening. What got me to thinking about this was the fact that all
> > the christmas merchandise was already out in the aisles. I have to wonder
> > if perhaps we are starting to lose the true sense and meaning of this
> > season called Advent (or christmas)? As a father of a little boy I find
> > myself thinking about these things, especially when Big Idea has to put out
> > a video like "The Toy That Saved Christmas" (a very well made and
> > thoughtful video, but it cuts me to the heart to think that the holiday has
> > become that commercial).
> >
> > Anyone have any thoughts?
> 
> 'Been like this for a long time. I usually get so I won't watch T.V. at all
> simply because I can't stand to watch another stinkin Christmas commercial!!
> 
> Fred
> 
Fred,
I know we're kindred spirits, but sheesh!  This is getting scary! 
Just yesterday I heard "O Holy Night" (I think it was), and muttered
to my wife about already having to listen to Christmas music.  Don't
get me wrong - I love it - in its season.

I have sought for seven years to eliminate some of the pagan elements
of Christmas, but have yet to convince my wife to share in my
adventure in this way.  I don't mind the lights, but I seek to replace
the Christmas tree with the manger scene.  I have received mixed
reactions to my proposal to place the presents under the manger scene
(sitting on a table), thus denoting that Christ is the ultimate gift,
all others being subordinate.

I would like to place lights around (and find a way to place a lit
star above) the manger scene.  My idea has been called blasphemous,
though critics never elaborate as to why they think this way.  For me,
and this is deeply personal, it is highly symbolic of God's mercy on
us, on His act of restoration.  If we consider what is really
important in our daily lives, it is the relationships we have with our
Creator and those around us.  I cannot think of a better way to
symbolize the act of restoration.

Peace,
Don
-- 
DC Parris GNU Evangelist
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gnumathetes at gmail.com
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