Advent: The Coming of Christ

That's What Christmas is About, Charlie Brown?!

Dialogue:

"Are you going Christmas shopping?"

"Yes, of course I am," she said.

"Don’t get anything for me, OK?"

"God, I’ve got so many people on my list!"

He asked, "why don’t you skip it this year?" He continued:

"Would anyone really miss your small gifts?"

She snapped back, "how do you know they’re small?"

"Your budget, amigo."

"I know, there’s no way I can afford all this," showing him her list...

"You sure you have to do it?"

As a retort, she said, "what, are you not "all-in" with the Christmas spirit?"
"Santa’s making a list and checking it twice?"

"That’s bullshit." He said firmly: "What is this season about, capitalism?"

"I’m just doing what everyone else is doing;" "it's called being nice." "I have to."

"That’s how we got here," continuing, "this is a #FakeHoliday if it's all pretty paper and boxes of things."

"Well, what in the hell is it about, Charlie Brown?"

"Don’t go all Linus on me, Chuck" (wink)

"It is a great speech, Linus gives"

[he says softly, like a little boy, "I can tell you what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown"]

Adding, "but watch it closely next time?"

Right when he says “Fear not” – Linus drops his security blanket.

"He doesn’t need it anymore, dude."
"Need what?" she asked. "The security blanket!"

The Savior has come to save us… It’s called Advent (his coming), no more fear...

*The speech from Linus:

https://youtu.be/eff0cqYefYY

*Note: I like to pin a #YouTube video to my writing and this time it is from the famous "Charlie Brown Christmas" shown on ABC in 1965, using the Gospel of Luke, ch 2, verses 8-14, as translated by the Authorized King James Version.

Merry Christmas, my thoughts in poetry... (2015)

Christmas Poetry 2015

Lord, save us from the dark of our striving,

Faithless, and troubled hearts.

With each day we live, we’re dying,

It’s with this poem my repentance starts:

From closing the year, socializing, and shopping,

December’s pressures are many.

Focus on the schedule isn’t helped by stopping,

Even though this month has as many days as any.

The culture of marketing and sales,

Begets a frenzy of doing and seeing.

But what is truly the wind in our sails,

Came down to earth as a human being.

School’s out and the decorations are sublime,

Lights are twinkling and glowing.

Some survive one day at a time,

They feel depressed without even showing.

Are we surprised by joy,

Can we live outside ourselves?

What’s the latest toy,

Flying off the shelves?

Seasons greeting, happy holidays,

Just don’t say Merry Christmas!

Cheer is passed along in many ways,

I love the name Immanuel (which means "God with us").

So many years ago on that Silent Night,

Jesus condescended.

By this he made all things right,

It's hard to be comprehended.

Now all the sleigh-bells ringing,

Don’t mean as much.

As to Jesus we’re clinging,

Changed by his touch.

Let all the earth fear the Lord.

Let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of him.

We read the Christmas story in God’s holy word,

And all together we sing a hymn.

Maybe it’s, “On Dasher, on Rudolf,”

And the rest of the crew.

You know their names,

You probably do.

Blitzen rhymes with Nixon,

What else can you say?

It’s Christmas ya’ll, and Santa’s fixin’

To ride up on a sleigh

He arrives in a couple of days.

The stockings are stuffed.

We’ve come up with so many ways,

To fill this month with fluff.

Is it different this year?

Or do we just get through it.

Hold your loved ones near,

And try to intuit:

“Peace is possible,

In our hearts we know it’s true.

But the story is improbable,

And it comes down to you?”

Away in a manger,

A baby was born.

To King Herod there was danger,

On that ancient Christmas morn.

They brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh,

A star guided Kings near.

I'm too busy wondering what to buy her,

Probably another kitchen utensil this year?

The baby grew and traveled,

He preached and he served.

Jesus teachings unraveled,

And the leaders were unnerved.

Christmas starts the story,

That morning ends at Calvary.

When Jesus in His glory,

Sets us all free. (Happy Easter)

So celebrate, feast, and gather;

The year is at its end!

But know what is the matter:

Jesus was born to save, Amen.

©Mark H. Pillsbury (2015)