Here's a question for you - Does Christmas change the way things are, or is it that Christmas, for a moment, lets us see things the way they were meant to be seen? We'll get back to this in a minute. But first -

During my career as a musician [in Junior High and High School], I am sure I played in a lot of Christmas performances. But, I only have a specific memory of one. This one was the "last-day-of-school-before-the-Christmas-break" performance by the Stage [Jazz} band during my Junior year of High School. Rick, one of our trombone players, who also fancied himself to be a rock band singer, had convinced our director to let him sing "Color My World" by Chicago that day.

And, he actually did a good job. Normally, this would have been the main event of the day, the "show stopper" [to use a word from the fashion industry]. But that day, Rick's performance of his song was overshadowed by a performance of "White Christmas". It was beautifully sung by one of the Senior Choir members. And her performance was equaled, if not topped, by one of our other trombone players - Danny - a guy who, until that time, had stayed in the background. On that day, in front of the entire student body and faculty, Danny stood beside the singer and, in the very spotlight of attention, played a wonderful solo to perhaps the most iconic Christmas song of all time.

To his credit, even during pre-performance rehearsals, Rick recognized that "White Christmas" was destined to be the highlight of the show. He jokingly [I think] tried to bribe Danny to change places with him. "No way", said Danny. Money couldn't make him let go of something he thought to be far more valuable - the sweet sentimentality of a Christmas song.

What is it about Christmas that changes the way things are? Or is it that somehow, during Christmas, we finally see things the way they were meant to be seen?

Danny's refusal to take "thirty pieces of silver" for his place in the show may not make sense from the viewpoint of the world. But then, nothing about Christmas makes sense from such a point of view. Adults, who are perfectly sane for 11 months of the year, suddenly spend money they don't have, to buy things they don't need and that are clearly over-priced? Crazy, except for Christmas. Dying trees inside the house? Crazy, except for Christmas. People in South Louisiana walking around the neighborhood singing songs about reindeer, sleigh rides, snowmen and winter wonderlands? Crazy, except for Christmas. Spending countless hours and lots of money to build gigantic piles of wood on the levee that will burn up in a few minutes on December 24th? Crazy, except for Christmas. People throwing money into a red pot beside a guy in a red suit ringing a bell? Crazy, except for Christmas. People leaving the comforts of home to serve others in a homeless shelter? Crazy, except for Christmas.

God leaving the splendor and riches and endless praise of Heaven to be born in a barn and laid in a manger? Crazy, except for Christmas.

Back to our question - Does Christmas change the way things are, if only for a minute? Or, does Christmas allow us to see things the way they were always meant to be seen?

Perhaps Spirit-inspired words can help. When you are in darkness, it is easy to imagine being surrounded by all manner of scary things. You need light to show you reality. Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah foretold His advent this way: "The people who walk in darkness shall see a great Light - a Light that will shine on all those who live in the land of the shadow of death." Isaiah 9:2.

Christmas doesn't change things. Instead, Christmas brings The Light. With Light, we can see things the way they were meant to be seen. We don't have to walk under the shadow of fear and death. That is what The Christmas Story is all about.

So no - you aren't crazy at Christmas time. You are finally allowing The Light to reveal reality.

The crazy thing would be to leave The Light when Christmas ends, and go back to the land of the shadow of death. The Light doesn't end on December 26th. It - I mean, He - is always here - "God with us".

And that is good news, Amen?

Merry Christmas!

Ambrose Ramsey | Shepherd