Winter Song

I was watching TV last week when I saw Elvis Costello perform this song. I heard this last verse and had to go look up the lyrics. They got me to thinking, and so I thought I would pass them on to you...

When the turkey's in the oven and the Christmas presents are bought
And Santa's in his module - he's an American astronaut -
Do you spare a thought for Jesus, who had nothing but his thoughts,
Who got busted - just for talking, and befriending the wrong sorts,
When Winter.... comes howling in.
- Winter Song by Lindisfarne

I would love to hear what you think.

This Is Christmas

Merry Christmas!
This week I put some thoughts down in song. You can hear the song here:

http://www.myspace.com/jasonmcgibbonproject

Xmas!!??!!

OK, so at some point you have probably seen a sign or heard the phrase "Keep Christ in Christmas." It is a thought that I find poignant and important this time of year. It is so easy to get carried away and distracted from what this season really means. Often, however, I think that this sentiment has been reduced in our minds to simply refusing to use the term Xmas and insist on always saying and spelling, in full, the term Christmas...to keep the Christ in Christmas. Ironically there is some evidence to suggest that Xmas is actually a Christian term. In Greek (the language of the New Testament), the letter X (chi) is the first letter in the word for Christ. When translating from Greek to English we often use the letters ch where a Greek X would be, and we see this in the title "Christ". So X, being the initial for the title, quite probably developed into a symbol for Christ and thus eventually Xmas would come to symbolize Christmas. In the beginning it may not have "X"-ed out Christ at all but was a symbol reflecting the title. Now certainly today many ignorantly use it to avoid a direct reference to Christ, or just out of sheer laziness but at the end of the day is a full spelling of Christmas on a sign for a Christmas tree lot really going to ensure that Jesus is at the centre of everyone's celebrations this season? Probably not.
So, what are some ways that you are aiming to keep Jesus at the heart of this season? I would love to hear from people and have some examples of how we might practically place our faith, and yes even the theological truth of the season, at the forefront of our hearts and minds.
Here is one suggestion that I have...
Being the music guy at our church, I have been working on arrangements of some of the traditional Christmas carols. I am always struck at the theology that they manage to convey...some amazing thoughts and truths. We have been working on "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" recently and the line "Mild He lays his glories by, Born that man no more may die..." has grabbed my attention. We worked up an arrangement that would specifically highlight that line. "Mild He lays his glories by" may be the understatement of the year (or century or millenia...), but what a reminder of the mind-blowing reality of Jesus - God the Son, divine - leaving the glories of heaven behind to enter our reality. And the next phrase jumps right to the heart of the Christian message and hope, the cross and resurrection, reminding us of why Jesus came. There are other great lines too, like "God and sinner reconciled". AMAZING. So my suggestion is to read some of those old songs slowly and focus on what they communicate. If they leave you with some questions to go ask and dig and search for answers. An increased depth of the meaning of this season can only help us to celebrate more fully, worship more deeply and truly keep Jesus at the centre of all we do.
So how about you, what are some things that you can suggest. I would love to hear about them so leave a comment!

Lessons from Linus (A Charlie Brown Christmas)

"Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about ...

⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:8-14 KJV)"

- Linus (A Charlie Brown Christmas)

'nuff said.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Well, today is the first day of December and for the first time on record our area has finished November with no snow. I have to admit that I have been fine with it. I have not really been looking forward to the cold, dark winter very much this year and the thought of shoveling snow has not been too appealing. On the other hand, my son has been waiting for snow. It has been an almost singular focus for him and despite the craziness of the season as Christmas approaches he has remained focused on the snow. This morning there was a slight dusting on the ground and he was cheering it on as if a fan cheering and encouraging his favourite team at a sporting event. All my son really wants to do this year is go sledding. Last year at this time he had just come home from the hospital after two surgeries to remove a brain tumour. Even though he kept insisting he was fine and felt strong enough to go sledding, there was no way that his mother was going to let him fly down a hill on a sled with a skull that had not yet fused, titanium plates or no titanium plates (it was a wise decision I think). So now he has been waiting all year to be able to hit the hills and he is really excited.
It has reminded me about two important lessons for this year. The first is about contentment. I know that if I am dreading the snow, that when it comes is a great chance that I will be miserable...a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Aside from moving, there is little I can do about the weather, so instead of fretting and complaining I should be looking for the positives and looking to be content in all situations (Philippians 4:11). I actually love sledding too, and show shoeing and a number of other snow related activities. I just have to remember to take time to consider the positives and not let the negatives spiral out of control in my mind. And when I focus on the positives I may come to a place where I am more than just content or bearing the circumstances I might actually be able to thrive!
Secondly, as Christmas approaches and the advertisements ramp up telling me all the things that I need to be happy and to make life worth living, it has been a refreshing reminder to celebrate simplicity and to be appreciative of all that I do have. I want to celebrate the change of season for the remarkable wonder that it is and not take it for granted or even resent it. I want to see the gifts that God has placed all around me. I will also be celebrating my family who are all around me, healthy and happy. We will be sledding together and I will be appreciating all that I have been given. There are few gifts that I could ever get that will compare with these things.
So, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...I am ready to hit the hills.