Everywhere you go, christmas (lower case by intention) is now 50% off its full value a little less than 24 hours later. Tomorrow and thereafter, christmas will be reduced even more. Then the lights will dim and trees wither and wait on the curb. Our recycle bins now overflow. It will be a while until someone asks where the Scotch tape is. Good riddance to the monotony of holiday cheer (ka-ching) and merry melodies (repeats and remixes). Even churches take a break from christmas while the cones lose its scents, poinsettias shrivel, and choristers sigh with relief. 364 more days before the next reflection on that 2,000 plus years ago event. For now, goodbye Bing. So long Nat. Farewell senor Feliciano. Ta-ta Santa and Rudolph. Oh yes, and back into the storage manger babe together with your extras. As sure as the Clapper and Chia-pets will return, so will we seek you out again next time around.
Hopefully by then, we'll learn to realize there's a relationship in Christmas between sinner and Savior. And, what Christmas really means and why Christmas is a lot more of what's missing and a lot less of what keeps getting added.
