What Happened to the Christmas Spirit?
There was an article in the newspaper a few days ago that lamented the disappearance of Christmas caroling. It said that fewer people were going out caroling in their neighborhoods and that the tradition was dying out around the country. I have fond memories of going out caroling with my church youth group – sometimes walking, sometimes singing from the back of a pickup truck. In recent years I’ve helped organize caroling with our youth and adult groups. It has always been fun and helped create a Christmas spirit even when the temperatures have been in the 70’s. The article said there were several reasons for this decline in caroling, ranging from people simply not wanting to sing anymore to privacy issues.
Until last year every house on my block was decorated for Christmas, sometimes elaborately. For some reason this year I noticed that we and the neighbors next door were the only ones. Out of approx. a dozen homes, only two were decorated. Two were vacant (for rent or sale) so I can understand their lack. But I don’t understand the rest. There just seemed to be a lack of Christmas spirit in our community this year.
Sue and I have felt it a little ourselves this year. Since we are starting a new church, we’ve not been part of a large church family this Christmas. We’ve been worshipping in a different church each Sunday, and have appreciated the experience, but it’s not the same. I guess it’s been just a little lonely this Christmas, although our family has kept us busy.
Actually, we had a great Christmas. Our Christmas Eve service, while small, was wonderful. And watching our grandchildren open their presents on Christmas morning was a joy to behold. Next year I’m sure we’ll have a new church family to love and the Christmas spirit will be alive and well, inspiring us to once again celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Steve