Christmas for me is loaded with traditions. It starts in mid November when I put
together our advent calendar and really doesn’t end until epiphany when we take down the
tree. But as I reflected on all these traditions that seem to cascade on me at this time of
year I reflected on the various changes or transitions or adaptations that so many of the
traditions have had over my nearly 40 years. Like my first year in University when I
wouldn’t be with my family over advent- so my Mom sent me a homemade advent
calendar tailored around exams and a busy student life. Or when I lived in an apartment
building that didn’t allow real trees…so I bought a potted plant and decorated that instead.
Or the first Christmas Eve service away from my home church when I made the
congregation sing Lo How A Rose Ere Blooming- because it’s my Dad’s favourite despite
the fact that many in the congregation didn’t know it. Or I thought about the transitions
that happen in a family once the matriarchs and patriarchs have gone or when children
marry and create their own traditions. You know, my Christmas’ are definitely steeped in
tradition but those traditions have always changed or evolved with circumstance.
There are many expectations and traditions that normally take place during a 1st
century Palestinian-Jewish wedding. They don’t normally involve an unplanned pregnancy
or unexpected trip. And while hospitals were not what they are now, most women traditionally did not give birth among farm animals. I can say with certainty that the usual
night of watching sheep didn’t involve a choir of angels. Mary and Joseph, Jesus, and the
Shepherds did not have a traditional night that first Christmas Eve. This year in particular a
line that has brought me comfort, a lot, is that “Mary and Joseph never had the Christmas
we have now- but they had Christ. No matter what is going on in the world we can still
celebrate the transitional time that Christ comes. That regardless of what traditions can or
can not happen this year that Jesus is going to come.” The love of God knows no
restrictions. The love of God does not follow physical distancing guidelines. The love of
God does not adhere to boundaries or borders. The love of God surpasses all the masks we
wear. And that, is what Christmas celebrates.
Christmas also celebrates God-with-us, Emmanuel. This does not mean God
above us or beyond us or even God observing us. This means that throughout all of our
traditions or transitions God is with us- right beside us. God with us, born to parents of
meagre means, into a time and place troubled with division and oppression, brought about
by occupation. God with us, born into a place with political unrest and racial injustice. God
with us, born amongst worry and concern. God is with us in our desire to return to normal.
God is with us as we grieve and experience pain, as we feel isolated or seek joy in the little
things. God with us in the transitions of our life that often bring about changes to our
traditions.
As a kid, every year, at some point over the Christmas season, we would visit the
grandparents. Grandma and Grandpa Geddes, both came from musical families. And so,
even well before the time I was born, Christmas meant one big jam session. Grandma
would often be on the banjo or electric organ in the dinning room. Grandpa would be on
the fiddle. Dad was on the trumpet or harmonica and others picked up instruments like the
recorder, ukelele or bass drum and everyone would sing. When someone started a song too
high or low laughter ensued as vocal chords were tested and joy abound. Even when
Grandma could no longer speak due to dementia- she could still sing every word to those
carols. But eventually those gatherings and jam sessions stopped as people moved into
care or grew up and moved away or died. I haven’t played a musical instrument in years.
But someone, in their wisdom, recorded some of those Christmas jam sessions and my
brother eventually put them on an album. The new tradition is the smiles I get when
listening to those jam sessions. And the reminder that Christ comes- traditions or not.
Christ comes- whether we plan for it or not. Christ comes, born in a stable, surrounded by
sheep and shepherds, and songs of angels. Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth
peace among those whom he favours!” That’s all the tradition we need at Christmas.