There's
Lots To Like About This Holy And Joyous Season! I Like...
You know what I like about Christmas?
I like when people are singing Silent Night and they just spontaneously break into four part harmony. I can't think of another song where that happens. I guess it says something about harmony. Maybe it says something about Christmas.
I like the Christmas cards with pictures of angels and wise men and especially the ones with pictures of the Baby. The Santa Claus ones don't bug me so much, I guess, but I just don't get the snowman ones that don't have anything to do with Christmas. "Happy Winter"?
I like stirring the hot chocolate with a candy cane. I haven't slowed down enough yet for a cup, but I'm planning to. The thing where you break off the ends of the candy cane and shove it into an orange and suck the juice out through the orange actually works, but it doesn't taste very good and it makes a mess. You shouldn't do the candy cane in the chocolate and marshmallows, too.
I like when the sanctuary is decorated. Not just at Christmas, but anytime. It was really designed to be more decorated more often. Got any ideas?
I like when they discover the gold coins in the Salvation Army kettles. Sneaky generosity is always the best.
I like when so many of our ChristCare Groups and other groups adopt a family or another worthy cause for their sneaky gift giving. Any time of yea is good for helping out others.
I like the sign down by the light show at Tilles Park on Annette Schroeder's yard that says, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" with Jesus right underneath. There's five million lights in the park, but the one shining on the sign is my favorite.
I like Chex Mix, especially the pretzels. Marion Copeland made a really good batch. We have a friend who sends us Chex Mix from out of state. Two bags. One is Cajun. I like the Cajun best, but you need a beverage.
I like seeing people that only show up at Christmas and Easter. I'd rather see them once or twice a year than not at all. It does make me a little sad, but I like seeing them.
I like when Carol listens to the Johnny Mathis Christmas Album. I don't like listening to it, but I like it that she likes it. September is a little early, though. (Just kidding!)
I like the children's artwork on the bulletin covers. I worship better when I worship like a child.
I like meeting gobs of your relatives at our Christmas worship services. I'm getting to know some of them a little bit. It's great to see you with extended family. It reminds me that our Christian family spreads out pretty far and wide.
I like cell phones with free long distance.
I like when my son Ryan does his impression of Jimmy Stewart at the end of "It's A Wonderful Life" when he grabs Donna Reed and says, "O Mary, Mary!" I guess when you've seen the movie enough times, you can just watch one scene and remember the whole thing all over again. It's kind of like when you burp a half hour after eating Cajun Chex Mix.
I like those sweaters that you all wear only once a year that have all the Christmas decorations on them. I have a tie with Santa playing golf. That's only good once a year, too.
I like the Christ Community Lutheran School Advent service. Emily Dittmer did a terrific job this year. I like it mostly because it's the one event where all five churches get together in a big way, and the only worship service where all five Pastors help lead. We're very fortunate to have such a wonderful spirit of cooperation and unity in our school. When I'm worshiping each year, the same thing happens to me. I get caught up looking at the rows of children and I find myself praying for their future and their growth in the Lord. I hope they always remember the songs they worked so hard to learn.
I like when it snows on Christmas, just after the last service is over and the parking lot is empty.
I like when people get to take a little extra time off from work over the week of Christmas. Not everyone gets a break like that, but I'm glad that many do and that the pace of life slows down to about what it should be every week of the year.
I like the Hershey Kisses wrapped in red, green and silver, although I don't save the wrappers. I tear up a couple hundred every year, but I don't save them. The Kisses with nuts are annoying.
I like the stocking my grandmother made for me in 1955. It still works. It has the original jingle bells on it.
I like when all the lights work the first time. I hate it when one strand conks out after you already have the tree done.
I like when the children lead the Christmas Eve service. I always tell Pastor Dittmer how much I appreciate that service, because it's the only service all year where I don't know in advance what is in store. Sermons, especially, aren't as interesting when you've already heard it over and over all week. ("Wow, that must make them really boring!") Thanks Terry!
I like Christmas letters in cards from people you haven't heard from in a long time.
I like going to the nursing home and finding out that you were just there visiting too.
I like Elvis singing "Blue Christmas."
I like pomegranates.
I like Paul Maier's book, "First Christmas." The more we know about what really happened, the more wondrous and mysterious the whole story becomes.
I like people who are really careful with their candles on Christmas Eve. Please don't drip.
I like holly. We had a bunch of holly trees growing up. We'd cut it and sell the branches in a bundle for fifty cents. Have you heard the legend of the holly branch that reminds us of Jesus crown of thorns and drops of blood? Wow.
I like having teenagers. They sleep later on Christmas morning. Now we open packages after I get home from worship on Christmas Day. I'm a little cheerier after a couple extra hours sleep.
I like when Carol's parents visit for Christmas. They take us out to eat. Carol's mom has a great laugh.
I like the part of the story where than angels sing. What would an angel choir sound like if they had a few thousand years to practice before the Christmas Eve service? I bet it was good.
I like the pulpit, but it's too high. I like the aisle, but it's too low. Maybe I should stand on the first pew. Mostly I like that it doesn't matter all that much. Christmas is about Jesus. That's what matters.
I like thinking about what I like about Christmas. Have you made a list?