I never thought I would hear the words. Sitting across from each other at the kitchen table Cynthia looked at me and said, “When I 
think about decorating for the holidays it makes me tired. I just don’t have the desire to do it.” I went dumb with disbelief. She loved decorating our home for the holidays. No Christmas tree mind you, but a tasteful garland splashed with ornaments representing both Hanukkah and Christmas, an array of crèches and menorahs, and well-worn childhood holiday crafts created by our now-grown children.
My confusion grew with the ensuing silence. Was this a test to see if my own long-standing ambivalence-boarding-on-antipathy toward the practice had changed? Was she subtly trying my willingness to be a supportive husband? Was it just the exhaustion of a long day?
Those of you who know Cynthia, please do not be alarmed; her lament not withstanding we did indeed decorate. Why? Because Cynthia was not wanting for physical rest. Nor was not renouncing the very real and joyful pleasure of making our home a symbol of all that is real in Hanukkah and Christmas, or the joy of gift giving as tangible expressions of our affection for others…
Cynthia was longing after the reality behind the traditions. Like a child beauty queen whose natural beauty is hidden by layers of adult makeup, the true beauty of Hanukkah and Christmas may be obscured and lost under layers of tradition. Our cherished religious traditions, apart from the reality they were meant to serve, will always leave us longing.
If your heart resonates with Cynthia’s you too may be longing for reality. As we approach this often hassle-filled and chaotic season set your heart to press past the traditions to their reality. But, remember, this reality is not an idea, activity, or a religious observance. This reality for which we long is a person, the One in whom all of God’s ancient promises are fulfilled for our good, Jews and Gentiles alike, the One of whom the prophets foretold:
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will be on his shoulders;
And his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father,
Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of his government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with
justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. [1]
But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you one will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity. [2]
[1] From the prophet Isaiah chapter 9 verses 6-7, written ca 700 BCE.
[2] From the prophet Micah chapter 5 verse 2, written ca 750 BCE
My Christmas affections were severely damaged in the mid 1960′s after the death of my maternal grandmother. Over the past 40 years,my sentiments regarding Christmas have been in a constant state of flux or maybe evolution. It’s been a battle fought on many fronts. At this present time I just observe this time of the year to give thanks to God. I am reflective about His plan of redemption by the offering of His only begotten Son; unto death . I thank the Lord Jesus for paying the ultimate price to reconcile us back to the Father. I don’t have any appreciation for the commercialism that drives this so called holiday. So I still struggle with the whole gifting idea.