Christmas

December 25. The big day when everybody exchanges gifts. Ancients chose that date to celebrate some sort of annual planting cycle. Roman Emperor Constantine, when he converted to Christianity, c. 300, chose it to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Sound political and religious compromise. The traditional Christmas story has baby Jesus, three wise men, gifts and Herod the king. Santa Claus and Christmas trees are probably pagan contributions. Given the powerful influence of commercialism, especially nowadays, one wonders if gift giving is another compromise.

The Magi gave some pretty expensive things. But given Jewish peasant economic conditions under Herod's reign, they did well to provide food, clothing and shelter. No matter. Gift giving is a good thing, especially for little children.

Christmas. It's planning, preparation, selection of special gifts for special people, trees, ornaments, the whole nine yards -- what it takes to make the occasion. Sis used to string homemade chains made from multicolored construction paper. It worked.

Some households hope for Santa to visit the night before. Coming from the North Pole in a sleigh drawn by a dozen reindeer, he travels the world over bringing gifts to good little girls and boys. Dressed in a red suit and shiny black boots, a sack filled with toys is flung over his back. His snow-white beard and round, robust belly, shiny red nose and jolly ho, ho, ho may hint of adult beverages. In times past, he'd shinny down the chimney, but gas and electric heat changed that. With gifts under the tree, he's out of sight, darting away for the rest of the world.

The big event at our house was the night before Christmas. Gifts under the tree for sure, but also the warmth of a wood-burning stove, grandma "Maw" Fox telling stories, laughter and good eats. Who could ask for more? Opening presents was only the climax.

For small children, too young to understand, Christmas is all about presents -- getting them. Then comes the social age and they start thinking for themselves, asking questions, forming opinions, the "terrible teens." That leads to dating, a complex process with unwritten rules that nobody understands, but somehow almost always works out. That leads to marriage, a more complex process with even more unwritten rules; but when it works, two souls are bound together, becoming one for the rest of their lives. That leads to parenthood, a whole new world, far more challenging, yet more rewarding than anything ever before. A new generation enters the world and the cycle starts all over again, but that's almost insignificant compared to the completeness it brings. Christmas takes on a whole new dimension. Celebration of the birth of Jesus for sure, but who can express the joy of seeing the excited anticipation on a small child's face when opening a Christmas present? Who cares if the empty box holds more interest than the present itself? Some of those presents will be cherished a lifetime. Our oldest son, Don, now middle age, has a toy truck that has seen him through thick and thin.

Of course, economics don't always allow countless high-dollar gifts. But show me a person whose presents are only an apple, an orange or a pair of new shoes and I'll show you someone who knows the value of Christmas. Love of family is more important than all the gifts combined.

Nashville lyricist Kris Kristofferson sang, "There's nothing short of dying, half as lonesome as the sound, on the sleeping city sidewalks, Sunday morning coming down." If you've ever been there, alone, you know what he's saying. Though less lyrical, he could have sung, "There ain't nothin' short of dyin' that's as lonesome as Christmas when you're alone." However, because of Jesus, God gives the Holy Spirit, and you're never alone. Not only that, you have the promise that when you cross River Jordan, heaven awaits. I wonder what secularists think about that.

Merry Christmas to all. And a happy New Year.

DON "SNEII" RUNNELS is a Bollinger County native now living in Cape Girardeau. His column runs once a month, usually on the second Wednesday. He is the brother of the late Tom Runnels.