The Empty Season 1

Once again I have been impressed with the vacuum that has evolved from our society's celebration of the Christmas Season.  As many will note - I like my Christmas celebrations with a walloping helping of sentimentality along with a generous portion of corn. Color me schmaltzy.

But even one who lacks my passion for all things sappy, couldn't help but notice that something is missing.

Having exhausted our family supply of classic Christmas Movies and shows on DVD, along with the pittance of truly good Holiday movies offered on Netflix Instant, we resorted to a program of half-hour holiday offerings from PIXAR studios last night.

The two we watched tried to drum up some kind of holiday sentiment - but it was without heart (practically without Christmas) ...it lacked anything compelling. They trotted out the same tired "we're all different but we're a family" line that has become the constant fallback for any "family" movie these days.

 Early this season, my Bible reading for the Bethel Bible Series in which R. and I are involved, took me to 1 Samuel 12: 20b-21; the aged Samuel - the last Judge of Israel was being replaced by a King.  Samuel didn't like the idea but God told him to do as the people desired.  So at the end of the coronation ceremony for King Saul (which Samuel led) he reminded the people of their penchant for choosing evil over good.  He also reminded them of God's love and patience with them.  Then he said this:

...do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing. (NKJV underlining mine)

It is that simple:  People will always following something or someone; when people turn aside from following God, the only other options are empty things.

A Christmas celebration - or anything for that matter- that ignores God and His story and influence becomes void and empty.

You can see it in the one-dimensional entertainment options that are out there this season.  You can hear it in the "Holiday" music that is often catchy or cute to begin with, but certainly has no staying power.  Finally, if you can get anyone to make eye contact these days in a Walmart - you can see it in the weary emptiness of their countenances.

I suspect that same crestfallen visage of emptiness would have been commonly reflected on the faces of most people in Bethlehem that  first Christmas night.  The entire village was full - the whole world was full ... full of empty; there was no room.

Then He came ...
Filling first a small manger ...
In a small corner ...
In a small stable ...
In the little town ...