The Wonder of Christmas

Narrative I:
It's now in gear, that wondrous time of year when Christmas cheer arrives within our lives. Scores of stores have tried to sell us, tried to tell us, to compel us since September to remember to buy their goods, but in December when the blowing snow has come we finally succumb to celebrations of the one whose birth, whose coming to earth after centuries of patience made grand vibrations in the universe. And so of course our spirit source finds a route to let us get our loving feelings out. And even when we're careening beyond the true meaning, even when leaning towards Santa Claus because the laws of giving inform our living with happiness and joy, oh boy, well, that's okay, it's another fine way to spend the Yuletide day with each other, with mother and brother, to send so handily messages to friends and family; and if we're feeling hearty, we do our best LDS version of a party. Then as we contemplate and navigate the Isthmus of Christmas, we know it is the most wonderful time of the year.

Song: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Narrative II:
When our part of earth falls under the hold of dark and cold, when darkness is strong and nights are long; when the sun seems to flee to its furthest degree, in the chill we willingly start to turn our hearts toward the seasonal wonder. While the beaches down under in Australia bathe in light, right here in the Northern Hemisphere Father Christmas and Mother Nature decree that Jack Frost, free of cost, should encrust our roofs and lawns and Tannenbaums and shrubs and cars, and – in gentle doses our own cheeks and noses -- with the frozen friendly moisture at hand that we need in a choice but dry land. Frost settles in gradually by night, snow escapes from dark and generous clouds in flakes they say are never alike -- just as no two of us are ever alike. The snow crunches beneath the pep of our step; on slippery slopes outside, brave souls slide on special boards called skis, using gravity's pull, trying to avoid the trees. But best of all, the snow does fall, laying down a blanket just outside our windows, and we're leaning out to see the sight of frozen white and ponder its meaning. Even if we don't know what those frozen flakes signify, they still dignify the title of wonderment. Or is it wonder mint? Are those snowy hills or marshmallow mountains? Everywhere the layers of coconut cream meringue, the mounds of mashed potatoes, the variegated vials of vanilla, the scoops of gelato di straciatella pile ever higher. It is a wonderful winter land; it is a Winter Wonderland.

Song: Winter Wonderland

Narrative III:
The snowflakes stop falling, the clouds are released from their calling, and the sun comes out, casting lyrical light on the miracle sight. Icicles grow long, those columnar hangers-on that only winter can furnish, dripping from eaves and pointing to the earth they will nourish. By night the sights of lights and luminarias shine and illuminate our lives. Yes, we may dread the eleventh straight day of scraping or shoveling the incessant gift of God at Feliz Navidad from off our driveways. But only with that wondrous gift of water that has come down to earth can we continue to live here, only with the gift that first shows itself to us in beauty, and then utility, and then necessity, can we eat and drink, only with that gift which, in a good year, comes in piles for miles and miles around Christmas do we receive what we truly need. We love our families, cavort with friends, dress in warm clothes, chug down hot chocolate, and marvel that we are alive on earth this very day. At least in song we throng, we long each day in some wondrous way at eventide to go on a sleigh ride. At least in our mind we find chestnuts toasting, chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

Song: Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

Narrative IV:
Just as we have needed H2O to grow, we have needed the carpenter from Nazareth to master death. We are under the spell of His wonder so well, we understand that Noël is at hand. There had to be a plan that the powers of heaven began to save man, and you know it is so, just maybe, that the answer was a baby. By night came down the light, there came a silent gift to give a lift to violent earth at Jesus' birth. The little stranger who was no stranger at all, when mankind was instilled with danger, He came down from above to a manger filled with love.

Song: A Manger Filled with Love

Narrative V:
When Christmas Eve has taken its leave, when Christmas day has gone away, when needles drop between the branches of the evergreen, when all the wrappings and bows have been disposed, we live between the holiday past and the next one that will come at last. Yet none may say that the wonder is done. We know the shelter of peace that we have felt will never cease, even after snows may melt. And so it is we live between the recent past that has been and the future as yet unseen. So it is with the holy child so undefiled, the Master Gem born in Bethlehem, so it is with the Son of Mary whose name we carry, with Him whose memory will not grow dim, we wonder when He'll come again.

Song by Primary Children: I Wonder When He Comes Again

Dick Hacken,

presented 4 December 2009