Christmas Stories
Posted on 12/17/2006
by Rev. Darrel Aleson, Chaplain
St. Alexius Pastoral Care
If you have been in any stores or shopping malls lately (early November as I write), it is already evident that the commercial rush to Christmas is well underway. Do I hear a little voice saying, “Remember the reason for the season?” The “commercial” is not my favorite part of this blessed season.
Wat I do enjoy a great deal are the Christmas stories that we will hear once again . . . either the “original” from Scripture, or more recently created stories such as “A Christmas Carol” (Dickens) or “The Gift of the Magi” (O’ Henry). Even though we may know the ending, it is still great to hear these stories again.
Of course, the most famous Christmas story is true! You know . . . the one about this little baby that arrives in a most surprising manner and location to begin changing the world forever. The birth of Jesus, as true stories go, has no equal! Most of us know that one by heart.
But this story really has no ending. In the later years of his adult ministry, Jesus would continue to tell many stories (parables) in order to teach and expand our understanding of what God’s kingdom would be. We are still working on our understanding of these stories that speak of love, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, peace and hope.
I said the story really has no ending in that we need to continue to be storytellers with our own lives, realizing that the truth and meaning of the “old” stories are forever new and exciting. May Christmas remind us not only to retell the “old” stories, but also to write some new stories with our own lives. Stories that demonstrate God’s grace, mercy, peace and love for all his children. Maybe the story that you write can become a new “Christmas classic” . . . a parable that says we too can be God’s “Word become flesh.”
Wishing you God’s blessings in this Holy season!