Myths created Christmas

The men on the worship team at Forks Mennonite Church,

What if there were no Christmas myths?  Please understand that when The Old Fool uses the word myth he is speaking of a happening whose antecedents are unknown and cannot be proven to be real. No one can prove that Santa Claus is a real person. Similarly, no one can prove the activities of angels, or stories of wise men guided by a star,  or  of  shepherds guarding the sheep by night,  or of the virgin who conceived and gave birth  to a son.    All are myths that may be believed but can not be proven.  But what if there were no such myths.  Would there still be a Christmas celebration?

If there were no Christmas the political wrangling in Washington, D. D. would continue uninterrupted.  But because of Christmas the politicians end the flow of political rancor, take leave of their duties, and go home.  They go home because that’s what people do at Christmas time and that’s another reason Christmas is good.

The ladies on Forks Mennonite Church’s worship team

Perhaps the politicians spend time with their constituents.  Or I wish them time at home to relax peacefully in rooms lit with the glow of candles and colored lights on trees surrounded by spouse, siblings, children and grandchildren. Perhaps they go caroling for shut ins. It was my privilege to carol for Millard Lind in Greencroft health care.

On this Christmas Sunday I went to Forks with son Conrad, his son Zack, his daugher Diana and her friend Olivia.  Andrew and Susanna’s family came from Denver, Canada, and Brazil to fellowship at Forks Mennonite and feast in their fellowship hall. That’s what happens at Christmas.  Great grandparents and grandparents are given places of honor.  Parents manage the festivities as old recipes are retrieved and used, family memories are told and news is shared.  Old traditions are revived to evolve into new ones. Christmas brings families together for fun, feasting, and gift giving.

Eldon and Rachel Stoltzfus

My family will gather here on Christmas Day.  It is not one family, but is made up of bits that connect with other families.  I will be there with Rachel and her family, Conrad and his family, Grandson Daniel and his family, Dave and Jo Selmon who are foster parents of Rachel’s granddaughter, Kassandra, and perhaps bits other families.  The Old Fool and his collection of families will bask in the glow of the myths that created Christmas.

In his next post The Old Fool may have more to say about why the secularization of Christmas may be a good thing.