This reflection, first published on December 15, 2008, may be worth another look.
Christmas memories are personal, deep and important.
My family’s New York Christmases had the strong, first-generation influence of Western Europe. Cajun Christmases with their peculiarities of place and culture, half French and half Canadian and only in Louisiana, are unique and forever in my consciousness. West coast Christmases in California were an amalgam of eastern and western tradition, with everything always new. And, Texas Christmases had cowpokes instead of elves. Each of these held a unique detail and distinctiveness, and all are lost in the translation of which single Christmas memory is important for me.
Having lived in many places, it is difficult to piece together a particular event that holds special importance. The tradition, and thereby the memory, is not in events or places but in the beliefs and relationships I hold.
For me, what is powerful about Christmas has one recurring theme and His name is Jesus Christ.
At Christmas, I celebrate the anniversary of the virgin birth of Him, as one member of the triune God – God made man – who came to the earth to be a substitute for me in the death and separation brought about by my sin. This is a belief, my personal belief. Through His perfection, He makes my way straight to the creator of the universe. Through the power of His shed blood, I am forgiven of my inequity. All of this, not by my work or effort, wisdom or intelligence, but by His grace.
Grace is difficult for me to grasp.
All things of value are worked for, I am told. That of which I speak–grace–has ultimate and eternal value, and it is a gift that cannot be bought or earned. By His virgin birth, I have affirmation of His place at the throne of God; by His crucifixion, I am shown the awfulness of my own behavior; and by comparison to Him as a man, I see my own lack of righteousness.
Filthy rags.
His resurrection is evidence of my eternal bridge, though Christ, to my heavenly Father. This is a relationship, a personal relationship. This is Christmas for me.
Please don’t be misled. I remember my Erector sets, Texaco trucks, bicycles and hockey skates – they brought happiness then and, in memory, they still do now. Likewise, Mary and our sons remember and cherish these events, too. I like turkey and ham, cakes and pies, family and all the other things that happen around the celebrations in our house.
I enjoy the festivity of the season. I like gifts–both to give and receive. I am pleased for the retailers and the way that Christmas sales help balance their books, creating jobs and economic growth. I enjoy the cold weather, the trees and the lights.
However, all of this is dull in comparison to the one shining memory that guides me every day of my life, and that is simply this: I serve a risen Savior, born of a virgin to redeem me in my weakness and cleanse me of my sin. It is so very sharp and clear to me, and so crystalline.
If I allow myself to be childlike, every day is Christmas. Childlike for The Child.
The prophet Isaiah predicted it in Chapter 7, Verse 14: Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
None of this loses its luster with time.
Photo Credit: http://www.historytoday.com/alison-barnes/first-christmas-tree.
I am a Native Panhandle Texan who is so proud to have returned to this place that can be seen as beautiful through the eyes of her native sons and daughters. I am again proud to have returned to my alma mater, West Texas A&M University to work and give back even a small part of what this fine institution gave me as an undergraduate. Now, when I read the words of the man who leads us on to an ever more bright and promising future, Dr. Wendler, time and again I am awed at the goodness of our God who who has sent us such a brilliant and genuinely good man!
You see, my family and I returned to the Texas Panhandle after spending 16 years in northern Colorado, where people from other places have encroached upon the solid heartfelt beliefs of Native Coloradans who are good, kind and God-fearing people, and have overtaken the spirit, and yes even the laws, of that land until there is little left but the “I serve me” ideology. To return to “God’s Country” where folks mention His name daily and proclaim His importance in their personal lives, and to hear the President of my alma mater speak of his own personal relationship with Christ, who is the central figure of the Christmas story, fills my cup to overflowing.
As you have said before Dr. Wendler, may God bless WTAMU. To this I add, may God bless you, Dr. Wendler, and Mary, as you stand together to lead us by the light of Christ! Merry Christmas!
I appreciate your open heart and willingness to share those beliefs and how you understand their progressive effect on you. Your testimony first appeared in your’s and Mary’s warmth to the people here. I’ve enjoyed watching you and listening to you. Thank you especially for such an eleganty written and personal testament to your Christmas faith. Merry Christmas my friend.