THE SECRET OF A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS

Here we are a little more than two weeks from Christmas and the theological question, "How can I have a bright Christmas?" is being asked by many of you.

The answer is simple and will not require outside lights, cookies, greeting cards, gifts or feasts. Here is the one secret that no one has ever told the American public. You must empty yourself of all desire, wipe out every expectation and simply go with the flow of the incarnation.

That one word, INCARNATION, is a theological term that some may not understand. It is simply the mystical act of God becoming man, of the Almighty Force becoming a guy with a name - precisely, Jesus of Nazareth.

This supernatural act, I believe, is the second greatest miracle ever performed in the universe. The most powerful miracle is the resurrection, when the dead body of Jesus was raised to a new life.

But this incarnation miracle has to baffle the best minds and must give pause to the most clever skeptics. Because, if it is true that God became man, then anything is possible. Then we can say with confidence that the blind will see and the deaf will hear. We can live confidently, believing in a final resting place, a heaven where all comfort will be given us.

We can say that a bad fellow who is full of venom toward believers can be converted and turned into a St. Paul. Or we can think about St. Peter, the meek and cowardly, who went slinking off into the crowds after denying his Lord three times. Yet it is Peter who has been named the foundation of the church. All humanity suddenly has promise, if this incarnation story is true.

I believe the story is true, and it bends my life in just the right way. If you believe it also, then it is possible for you to empty yourself of all desire this Christmas, to wipe out all expectation and go with the flow of truth.

For instance, remember five years ago when Uncle Benny ruined Christmas by getting drunk and falling asleep in his mashed potatoes? I know you've been wishing and praying since then that Benny would get some help and come to Christmas sober.

You must empty yourself of that desire. Because being nervous around Benny and trying to soften the tension of a Christmas holiday, is not going to stop Benny from drinking. You must find a better way, and coming at Christmas without expectation is the best way to start.

Some families have little squabbles every Christmas. Petey will say something stupid about politics and Nokie will disagree. Before long they're standing in the garage poking stiff fingers in each other's chests. It's disgusting and you want it to stop. But getting stoked up a week ahead is not going to diminish the tension between Petey and Nokie. You have to empty yourself of the desire for family peace.

And the women, hauling around old conflicts about how to glaze the ham or whether to raise children in the church or how to keep a husband happy on a cold night - that's just human stuff that has to be tolerated. Your desire to erase conflict at Christmas will just add to the tension as you flit from room to room trying to sooth sensibilities.

My expectations for Christmas are simple. I anticipate being there. I desire nothing. I will accept the food as it is served and I will compliment the cooks. I will luxuriate in my gifts and give no thought to fair exchange .

Finally, I will destroy any premonitions about the perfect Christmas. I will accept the day as it is stretched before me.

But if I don't get that pair of pajamas, somebody is going to pay.

Clark D. Morphew

Posted 12-4-01