We are in the Advent
Season for Christians – the Countdown to Christmas. Christmas is possibly the second holiest
holiday for Christians, but in America at least, it has become as much a
secular as a religious holiday.
It’s not too hard to see
why: Who doesn’t love a baby? Especially one with such a captivating birth
story? No room at the inn. Born in a stable. Wrapped in swaddling clothes. Laid in the manger.
The angels announcing the
baby’s birth proclaim “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men!”
Shepherds and wise men
bringing gifts.
Who doesn’t love to
receive – or give – gifts? That
Christmas tradition has fueled an economic boom, with billions and billions of
dollars being spent on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as well as the rest of
the holiday season.
In this darkest time of
the year in the Northern Hemisphere, who doesn’t like bright holiday lights to
brighten the nights and make the winter months a little more bearable?
Charities can receive 30%
of their contributions in the month of December.[1] Generosity prospers in this season – helped
along, no doubt, by the tax advantages of making a gift before the year ends.
So, most of us are more
receptive to messages of peace and brotherly love during the holiday season,
whether or not we happen to be Christians.
The Jewish festival of the Lights – Hanukah – and the African American
holiday of Kwanzza are also festivals of the winter season, though much less
familiar to me.
And the music – secular
and sacred – permeates the airways, shopping malls and homes. Music speaks to me, and I suspect many of the
folks who read these musings, in profound ways.
So, I am going to feature
some of my favorite Christmas music that promotes tolerance – peace and
goodwill toward men – as a subject of thought and reflection.
If a person doesn’t
believe that Jesus is the Messiah, it’s a fruitful path to follow.
If a person, like me, does
believe that Jesus is the Messiah, it is His path we follow.
Merry Christmas.
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