Humbug?
At this time of year, you tend to either love or hate many of the things that go along with Christmas. You may even know some people who have strict rules about when Christmas music can be played and when it can’t. Hopefully, you have some favorite songs that you play or enjoy hearing as well. I enjoy discovering new songs, but there are also albums like this that bring back childhood Christmas memories that I appreciate. There are also probably songs you hear that you don’t care for as well, either because they are just annoying to you, or bring back bad memories. The term Humbug first appeared in the mid 1700s as a slang term for a hoax, trick or deceptive thing. Also popularized by Dicken’s Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol story, we now tend to use it as a dismissal term for something we don’t care for…Bah Humbug! What things bother you the most about Advent at the Christmas season?
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
There are likely things about the Christmas season that bring us closer to God and those we love, and there are other things that may cause us frustration and divide more than unite us to others. We are all entitled to our opinions, but if we hate some or all things Christmas or otherwise, we should probably ask ourselves why? For our family, we try to do a balancing act between giving gifts to those we love and trying to avoid things that bring about selfishness. What traditions and activities help promote love and joy in our lives and which ones bring about resentment and loathing of things. May you be blessed as you engage with others in celebrations over the next few weeks, and may your Humbugs turn to Gratitude!
If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 1 John 4:20
Yours in Christ,
Clark
