CHRISTMAS  2009

He was elderly.  He was lonely. Most nights he simply sat in the living room with one small lamp on, not really doing anything.  After his wife died in October, he thought about NOT putting the Christmas tree up this year.  It was always something they had done together.  And who would enjoy the tree?  He lived all alone.

But then on Christmas Eve, he hauled out the boxes which held the artificial tree and the nearly 50 year old ornaments.  Then just before assembling the tree in its usual spot by the staircase, he decided to change the location.    Why not put the tree in the big picture window that faced the street.  People walking to the downtown restaurants, the Post Office, or just out walking would be able to enjoy it. 

After he finished decorating the tree he was tired.  He had never done that all alone before.  He pulled his rocking chair over to admire what he had accomplished.  Not bad. The twinkling lights, even the old angel on top of the tree didn’t look too bad. 

As he sat there, a couple walked by.  They glanced up at the old man and tree and waved.  The man returned their greeting.  He smiled.  Actually the first time in a long while.  Some kids came by saw the tree and the old man.  They waved and yelled “Merry Christmas!”  Suddenly the Christmas season seemed a bit brighter, the darkness not so frightening and lonely.

The neighbors looked for the man and his tree.  Most waved and a few even stopped to say “hi”.  Even a container of cookies and brownies found their way to his door. 

January came and went.  The tree twinkled in the window.

As the months marched on, a few began to question: is he senile? Has Alzheimer set in?  No, the elderly man had discovered light in the darkness of loneliness.  He intends to leave the tree up year round, to greet passerby, to bring light and life.  He wants to extend this feast all year long.

This feast has its origins in the darkness of the Judean hill country.  An angel appears: “You have nothing to fear!”  A light has dawned on a world in darkness. 

What fears still darken our lives?  Kids, you may fear that you won’t get what you most want for Christmas.  Fear not!  Be thankful for what you receive, and for what you already have. 

Other more serious fears darken our horizon:

            Two wars which have taken too many lives and too much of our money

            My nephew was just injured and he doesn’t have insurance

            My grand niece is in the Guard and her unit was just activated. 

            As a nation we have a debt we giving to our children & grand children

            I am approaching retirement, but can I afford to do so

Then and now the angel sings:  “Fear not!”

We need not live in darkness, but count and be thankful for the blessings of our lives.  Then we will find the light. 

This feast day, try to focus upon the BLESSINGS you have received and not just the material gifts which you have.  For most of us, the gifts will be consumed or we will grow tired of them in just a few months.  But the blessings are with us all year long.

I consider one of the great blessings of my life the many friendships formed over the years, especially since I have become a priest.  I didn’t get a card sent to all of them before Christmas.  But my intent is to be like the elderly man, and extend this feast day all year long.  I will try and send a card each day of the New Year.  I tried that three years ago, and it was a transforming experience for me, and for 300+ other people.

Our savior, the Lord, the Messiah came in a small bundle, a tiny child.  His fragility was protected by loving parents.  They wrapped him in a blanket, but swaddled him with their love. 

In our society which seems to proclaim that bigger is better – bigger cars, bigger houses, bigger toys, bigger portions – it is good to remind ourselves that precious things tend to come in small ”packages”.  A word of concern, a simple hello, a warm embrace, a generous act are the small packages of love we can give to each other. 

Tonight, the angels sang of the glory of God.   May our voices blend with the angels, not just this night, but every Sunday to sing of God’s glory throughout heaven and earth. 

Rev. Everett Hemann

RevEv@SaintPatrickcf.org