Irony

At school these past few weeks, we have been getting ready for the holidays. One day, we met with our advisory groups to make decorations for our school. We were told we could only use the colors blue, white, and neutral colors on the banners, and the phrase "Peace on Earth". They gave us some drawings we could use as models on the posters. One of the other restrictions, was that we couldn't put any religious symbols on the decorations. The ironic part of this project was that the permitted drawings were a dove, candle, star, and the earth. Those aren't religious at all, are they? I leaned over to one of my Christian friends and said, "How are these not religious?" My friend and I started laughing at the irony of the whole thing. The truth is that no one can escape from God and you can't take the Christ out of Christmas. Even if you can't say "Merry Christmas" (and have to say "Happy Holidays") or can't draw "religious symbols" on posters, God still reveals himself through other things...even at a secular school or anywhere else God isn't welcome.

In the Bible, the magi who were following a star weren't looking for Jesus. They were astronomers and all they cared about was the star. The magi were not believers. They were not even Jewish. Think about that for a second. When I learned this, I was stunned for the rest of the day. I had thought that the wise men were looking for Jesus and they believed he was the Messiah...but they actually were not looking for Jesus. When they saw the baby Jesus lying in the manger, they fell on their knees and worshiped Him and gave Him gifts. Even though they were atheists essentially, they were awestruck by Jesus, the newborn king. To me, that is pretty powerful. This history draws a parallel to what happened at my school. My school tries to "ban" religious symbols but whether you realize or even accept it, Jesus is imminent during Christmastime. Everywhere you go, whether or not you're looking for Him, He is there. You cannot evade God...everyone will eventually face Him sometime. Even if you can't draw religious symbols on posters or say "Merry Christmas," God reveals Himself in amazing ways like He did to the magi. Some people will acknowledge it (like the magi) and others will not accept it (like secular schools) but in the end, God is present to everyone during the holiday season.

Book Recommendation for when school's out

The best Christmas book I've ever read is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. If you take your coffee black, you'll love the brutal honesty of this hilarious recounting of a church nativity pageant. No cream in this one, nor sugar or sweetener. The church ladies are aghast but, nonetheless blessed, when the Herdman children are cast in lead roles as Mary an Joseph. Not because they're the best actors! They show up for the free donuts and weasel their way into the auditions by intimidating the likely picks from trying out!

It is an irreligious hoot to read aloud. I guarantee you will recognize some people from your own church community in the fictional characterizations. (Don't settle for the movie which doesn't compare.) Check your library used book nook; they are sure to have a copy for under $1. I consider it doctrinally sound humor!

Keep it real! Let's not pretend any of us are anything but a mess! Who do we think we are fooling? Jesus, fully God and fully human, was born to die for our very real sins. It's in dying to ourselves that we live in Him.

Connecting with Christmas

Why do we send photo cards to each other at Christmas? Why do we send Christmas newsletters to each other? Why send a Christmas card at all?

I believe we take on this task, to connect.

Our lives are busy. We all know our cards aren't an accurate depiction of our lives. Truth is, all of us have challenges. We have loved ones who are experiencing illness or even facing death. We are in the midst of massive economic uncertainty... perhaps you've lost your job, your 401k is looking emaciated or you're upside down on your mortgage.

We're not as perfect as we suggest in our letters or photos...not even close. The funny thing is...we all know that too! Yet, we do it all every year anyway. Christmas, for some reason, has become about marketing ourselves to our friends...the very people to whom we should not have to promote ourselves.

We rarely talk about "real" things in a Christmas letter or suggest them in a photo. Instead, we trot everyone down to a scenic location, dress the same as each other (which we'd never do in real life), smile and snap the photo.

We did this as well...it was tragically hilarious. I dropped the family off at the beach and had to circle for a parking spot before joining them. On the way to the photographer, Reid managed to snag a balloon from an art show happening on site. We posed for a few shots, the balloon prominent in them all. Andy, Allie and I were some combination of frustrated, mortified and laughing our heads off.

Here's why. The organization I direct, Surfrider Foundation, has countless initiatives oriented around the long-term environmental cost inherent with single-use plastics. We run beach cleanups, push educational messaging to keep plastics away from sea animals, advocate banning plastic bags, and the like. There we stood, taking our Christmas photo...on the beach...with Reid proudly waving his single-use plastic balloon in front of the camera as it if were a fifth member of the family. That photo captured it all for me..and made me want to build a blog instead of sending out another "pretending to be perfect family" photo.

Let me continue to de-bunk the myth that everything is hunky dory. In the last year, I have shattered my wrist twice, had two surgeries, and learned I have severe osteoporosis caused by celiac disease. Oh yeah, and I'm allergic to 4 of the 6 basic food groups.

My hope is that when you conclude our series of posts, you'll see that our lives, like yours, are simultaneously challenging and wonderful beyond description. Then, we'll have connected more deeply. Christmas isn't really about putting our best foot forward; it's about understanding our place in the grander scheme. It's about understanding it's not about us; acknowledging our human limitations.

December 25th is a prominent date. It has nothing to do with the tree in our living rooms, Santa, snow, or Bing Crosby. Truth is, almost all of what we suggest Christmas is about is a sham; we've been lied to...marketed to.

December 25th is the date a person was born. It matters who you think that person was. Jesus didn't leave us the option of calling him a "leader" or a "good person." He claimed to be the son of God. If someone was born today and made that statement, what would you call him? Maybe a whacko. Christ was savvy in a way rarely seen. He locked up his description. He took away the "nice guy" title by telling the whole truth. His self-proclaimed title forces all of us to understand the ramifications of what we decide to label him. In the words of C. S. Lewis words, "He is either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord." It was a wild strategy; I like it.

So...this December 25th go ahead; let's all celebrate Christmas. Sure, pass a present...drink some of that nasty eggnog...but also take a step back and make the call. Celebrate it after you make a decision on who this person--whose name is the root word of the day--is, to you personally.

Everything. It's Jesus' birthday.

Netflix Recommendations

Allie's 7th grade Science Fair Project prediction was indeed accurate. Netflix has all but eliminated Blockbuster from the marketplace. If, like us, you rely on Netflix for all your entertainment needs, here are a few films to add to your queue this month. If not, consider a Netflix annual subscription as the gift that keeps on giving. My extended family awarded one to my grandmother so she gets movies (chosen by family with internet access) by mail at her assisted living apartment each week. Consider yourself lucky that you can make your own selections! Netflix has a huge selection of documentary, educational, classic, and current movies.

Here are our favorites for Christmas with an accompanying rationale and the pluggedin review in case you're suspicious of our discernment. What are your family's favorites? Leave us a comment (we fixed that glitch).

The Nativity Story - saw it with Papa Jim and Natty in a theater; really makes the Biblical account relevant by placing it in historical context; nice to own for traditional viewing

Christmas with the Kranks - just funny, Botox scene and hickory honey ham are our favorites; already mentioned as example of intentional effort to decrease consumerism,

Elf - interesting slant on the complexities of adoption reuniting with birthfather and how to honor both adoptive and genetic legacies; in addition to being adopted (by elves) Buddy is not unlike someone with autism having to learn social customs which are foreign to him and refrain from his instinctive urges when he leaves the North Pole; admittedly no Jesus, all Santa

A Charlie Brown Christmas - all time, all ages, back to basics; we have friends using it as the showpiece for their caroling party this year!

Linus' short and to-the-point speech so reminds of Easter 2006 which we spent at Zion National Park. As National Parks are known to do, they offer an Easter morning service at the lodge which we wandered up to experience. Four others did the same. But no pastor! We waited maybe ten minutes before the other family left for a hike. There was a piano and a stage which is as good as an invitation to Reid. Much like Linus, he declared, "I'll be the pastor" and took his place center stage to deliver the morning message. He retold the events of the cross, the cave and the resurrection in perfect sequence and amazing detail. We sang a few songs, as I recall, and that was that. Plain and simple worship.



As Willy Wonka said at the end of the factory tour referring Charlie to the contract, "Its all there, black and white, clear as crystal," 66 books, 40 authors, over 1500 years, actual history, Luke 2.

Mediterranean Christmas

I used to miss the proverbial white Christmas, living in San Diego. Having partially recovered after our year in Chicago, I think I am almost completely over it since learning how similar our landscape and climate are to the place where Jesus was actually born. This stops my lamenting the Currier and Ives picture postcard scenes of my childhood. 

We are not sledding, tobogganing, making fires, or chilly in the least. We are walking on the beach, running up to the hot tub, sporting shorts, sunglasses and flip flops as we choose our tree. It has its pros and cons! 

Last year, the San Diego Natural History Museum was the proud host of the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition. The accompanying lectures and interpretive displays placed the scrolls in the context of the geography and biological diversity of Israel, which is very similar to that of Southern California and Baja California. Israel's climate is Mediterranean--no rain during the growing season--and it varies considerably according to distance from the sea. The Holy Land has the Red Sea; we have the Salton Sea. The country is fairly southern, situated at about the same latitude as San Diego, so even top winemakers (if not surfers) seek it out.

Our banner artwork for this digital, month-long advent calendar-esque greeting is decked with beach, desert, and sand-scapes to put you in the mood, anticipating a child born in Bethlehem, a place much like San Diego or Solana Beach or inland El Cajon. Does that give you the urge to come visit us?

The more we understand the Biblical context of Christmas, the more meaningful our celebration.