Holiday ABC's....

M = Magic When I was about nine or ten I received a magic kit for my birthday. It was a grand toy and I enjoyed the many parts and items the kit contained; also being able to do some basic magic was a real kick and an attention grabber --- perfect for a little kid. Christmas is magical and here’s to those who make the magic that brightens the holiday: To everyone who eats the cookies and drinks the milk being sure to leave a few crumbs on the plate; to everyone who leaves a trail of glitter heading up the chimney or out the front door; to everyone who creatively hides the “Elf on the Shelf” in refrigerators, hanging from lights, and behind cereal boxes; to everyone who labels a gift “From Santa;” and to my father who somehow one Christmas left sleigh tracks and deer prints on the roof of our house….magic.

N = Nativity It is set-up on mantels and tabletops and in front yards (although I love the inclusiveness of the scene, a front yard nativity that has a blown-up Snoopy or Frosty nearby tends to take away from the moment ever so slightly). I always enjoy the live nativity scenes and am doubly impressed by those who have an actual baby in the manger. I never understood why the blond hair and blue-eyed girl was always chosen to play Mary, so, I always asked the dark haired and dark-eyed teen to play the part because I found it more realistic to the Jewish backdrop of the story.
One of the most moving and stay-with-you-nativities was the one a clergy friend of mine used to bring the story to life for her impoverished, inner-city congregation. The setting was an abandoned building; the couple were teenage runaways; the child was laid in an old crate and swaddled in oil-stained rags; the animals were a few rats, a stray dog and a dove; the shepherds were from the corner bar and were joined by the town prostitute and those who lived in the crack house that came faithfully to adore him.

O = Orange On Christmas morning prior to breakfast, we were allowed to open our stockings. There were always great little toys, card games, pencils, candy canes, chocolate and, no matter what, my Mom always included and stuffed into the toe of the stocking a nice, big orange. Christmas morning is no reason to avoid healthy fruit.

P = Prophets It is during this season of the Christian year that we pay the most attention to the Old Testament prophets and notably Isaiah; it is he who pens many of the lyrics that Handel set to music and it is Isaiah who provides the wonderful visions of peace: a lion and lamb lying down together, swords being beaten into plowshares and war not being learned anymore. Seems to me, the words of the prophets needs spoken year round until the fullness of their prophecy comes to pass.