JONES: Singing the meaning of Christmas
December 25, 2018
When I sat down to write this Christmas column, I was stumped. What could I write about that has not been written before?
Upon reflection, I realize that there are actually two Christmas seasons. The commercial driven Christmas that ends on Dec. 24 and the Christmas of the Catholic Church, which begins with the vigil Mass on Dec. 24. The first is a season that has been distorted by commercialism, secularism and relativism.
The latter is a celebration of the birth of our Lord. As I pondered what exactly that means to me, I remember the lyrics of a song performed by Perry Como that I listened to as a child.
The song takes each of the letters that spell Christmas and give a meaning to them. They explain why we celebrate Christmas. I share the lyrics with you:
“C” is for the Christ Child born upon this day;
“H” for herald angels in the night.
“R” means our Redeemer;
“I” means Israel;
“S” is for the star that shone so bright.
“T” is for the three wise men, they who traveled far.
“M” is for the manger where He lay.
“A” is for all He stands for;
“S” means shepherds came,
And that’s why there’s a Christmas Day...”
(Lyrics by Eddie Arnold and Jenny Lou Carson)
So what does Christmas mean to me? Well, the song says it all and as I attend Midnight Mass I will celebrate. Celebrate the true Christmas; with the angels singing, the wise men traveling and the shepherds arriving at the manger.
And as I hear the nativity narratives being proclaimed, I will be thankful for a God who loves us so much that He sent His beloved Son to dwell among us. Have a very Merry Christmas.
Deborah Jones is an associate director with the Archdiocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.