What to do with Christmas?

I must confess that although I grew up in the Methodist Church by the time I got to seminary Christmas had little meaning for me. Sure the Holidays offered a wonderful time to gather and remember old times (and I always loved the food). Retailers have made a fortune marketing Christmas and I find it hard to escape the tinsel and lights. But the theological significance behind this holiday seemed to me to be irrevocably lost in the hubbub of the season.

I like to imagine that this wasn’t always so. That at some point there was a peaceful and pure purpose to the celebrations that took place at this time of year. But even pagan celebrations included a form of wassailing that sometimes turned raucous and unfriendly. Even the Christian story of a birth seems out of place at this time of year when everything around us in this season seems to be coming to a close and to be quite frank-- I don’t think there is anything all that pretty about a baby being born in a barn because his parents have had to leave there home due to tax requirements.

Sometimes it seems easier to put blinders on and just get through this season.

Having had the opportunity to spend the past two years serving King’s Chapel (which is a Christian Unitarian Church) Christmas has taken on a new meaning to me. At first I looked at my time at King’s Chapel as being a sort of intellectual exercise but in time the stories became mine and the season of the liturgical calendar became an important part of my spiritual practice.

In worship this month we will be exploring the themes of the season, and I hope giving each of us an opportunity to connect more closely with the myths and traditions in our own ways. Carol Dixon will also be offering a seasonal walking mediation. If you would be interested in any of these events, or if you have any other ideas of how you would like to prepare together as a community for this season, please contact me raliweaver@dedhamuu.org.

Whether you celebrate the Solstice or Christmas or Chanukah or Kwanzaa or something else I hope this season brings you peace and joy and love. Merry Merry Season of Love to you all. -Rali