Christmas, What Does It Mean?

Happy Christmas (War Is Over)

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young

For me, the picture above captures not only the fictional but the true essence of Christmas. It is a nice blend of the commercial and of the spiritual.

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

I'm sure that most everyone will recognize the genius in these lyrics by the late John Lennon. As I attempt to wax serious with this post, I'm afraid that I cannot express myself as eloquently as he. I shall not try to do so.
....I find it ironic that it is the fictional character who has become more emblematic of the holiday than the one for whom it is named. Why does that not come as a surprise to me? I'm afraid that the worship of the all mighty dollar is all the God needed and thus worthy of homage.

And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so Happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight

Save the children whose innocence allows them to still see the magic of Christmas, the messages of our Gods, regardless of what nations worship them, seem not to speak of peace on earth or goodwill toward all men.
....Alas, the words of Lennon and other visionaries fall upon deaf ears. How then could I think my feeble words might be heard? I'd like to think that just one person might have pause to consider these few lines. If they choose to ignore my thoughts, then maybe, just maybe someone might really comprehend what Lennon had to say.

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

Innocence is lost on the young, and like those who preceded them down life's path, they too will no longer believe. Yet, they will hold onto the image of that mythical visitor on Christmas Eve. They will know too, that wonderful story of the babe born in Bethlehem. Sadly, they will think it a nice story and nothing more. That embraced by the innocent, fades with the loss of innocence. Aging is their fate.

And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so Happy Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

Have you ever listened to the lyrics of this song? I have, and curiously, the meaning seems to be clearer to me when I read the lyrics rather than listening or singing along to them.
....As such, let us take heed in the words of the bard:

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

War is over if you want it
War is over now

To all of you who read this, moreover to those who believe, remember to keep "Christ" in Christmas. "Merry" and "Happy" will fall into place.

No.842