Welcome to Tuesday Mornings, a source of inspiration and encouragement for Christians everywhere. Especially at Christmas.

 

Christmas "sales" began more than a month ago. At the major retail outlets in our town, artificial trees, Christmas decorations, accents, lights, gifts, and even greeting cards are already being discounted. And Christmas is still three weeks away! So much for the "After Christmas Specials." The "specials" have begun. The question is, "How long after Christmas will the 'specials' be special?" Not very long. Too soon, the celebration of Christmas will end.

 

But not at our house. We intentionally celebrate Christmas all year long. We will leave some of our decorations up until next December—to remind us of what took place in Bethlehem so many centuries ago, and the Priceless Gift God gave to us. Here is what John Greenleaf Whittier had to say about the joy of giving to others:

 

Somehow, not only for Christmas,

but all the long year through,

the joy that you give to others,

is the joy that comes back to you.

And the more you spend in blessing,

the poor and lonely and sad,

the more of your heart's possessing,

returns to you glad.

 

This week's Tuesday Morning is entitled, "Celebrating Christmas Through the Year." Read on whenever you are ready. And prepare to celebrate. All year long.

 

Tom Barnard

A Senior Celebrant of Christmas

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Celebrating Christmas through the Year

Tom Barnard

 

e have a tradition at our house. We love Christmas so much that we keep some decorations up all year long. Last year Madelyn decided to keep up all year long a decorated tree in our entry-hall. It is out of everyone’s way—in a corner where the wide stairway to the second floor takes a left turn and provides a tall, narrow “nook” between the stairs and the entry-hall closet door.

 

On this tree are dozens of “Christopher Radko” ornaments—those lovely, hand-painted blown glass ornaments like those that used to be imported from Europe and China prior to World War II. Only these are really special. They vary in size—large and small, tall and fat, round and square, shaped like trees and houses and Santa's and candy canes and stars and trains and cars and snowmen and angels and wrapped presents. The colors are fantastic. On each box that contains a new ornament is a notice: “Fragile glass. Not a toy.” Radko ornaments are made in Poland, Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic. They are not cheap.

 

On the wall just to the left of the closet door is a large green wreath covered with—you guessed it—more Radko ornaments. (I learned many years ago never to ask about the cost of the ornaments that grace our trees.) Yes, trees. As in more than one. Some years Madelyn has decorated a dozen trees for Christmas—in our home. But this year she decided to keep the tree and the wreath in the entry hall decorated all year long.

 

Guests visiting us in the spring, summer, or fall were treated to Christmas whenever they stepped into our home. Someone once asked, “Does all of this Christmas ever get old?” Not really. It is a reminder of the First Christmas, and the Gift of a Child that changed the world forever. Does that story ever get old?

 

The Advent Season has begun. It will be over in four weeks. Eventually the Advent Candles at church will be put away, along with the greens that grace the windows and walls of the sanctuary and the beautiful Christmas trees that are positioned on the church platform. The “Angel Trees” that have been placed in the foyers to remind church-goers to support the annual program to provide Christmas gifts and clothing to the families of incarcerated prisoners—these will be stored away until next November. The world will say it’s time to move on to New Years Eve. Christmas will be over. But not at our house.

 

Here is a poem that represents what the Barnards think about Christmas:

 

A Lasting Christmas

 

I keep a part of Christmas—for it helps to add a glow,

to the January darkness and the February snow.

If March is cold and blustery and though April brings us rain,

the peace and warmth of Christmas—with its happiness—remain.

There’s a beauty when it’s Christmas—all the world is different then;

there’s no place for petty hatred in the hearts and minds of men.

That is why my heart is happy and my mind can hold a dream,

for I keep a part of Christmas with its peace and joy supreme.

—Garnett Ann Schultz

 

Here, at the very beginning of Advent, why not make plans now to stretch the joy and meaning of Christmas throughout the entire year of 2008? Why not select someone less-blessed with worldly goods than you and prepare a Christmas basket of goodies for them for the holidays? Why not find a church in your community whose pastor is bi-vocational, and raise an offering in your congregation to give to the pastor there as a Christmas Gift? Why not make it anonymous to add to the surprise? Remember, the birth of Jesus surprised the world! Let’s continue that tradition in what we do this season, and beyond.