Random Opinion

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December 29, 2011

Name This Man

    The habit of addressing or referring to Anglican clergy by their first names has been a spreading and damaging trend for years.  I don’t like it!  The reason is not merely old-fashioned, but it is important as can be seen below.

    It is far preferable that the clergy be addressed according to the respect due to their sacred leadership function.  Therefore, if in social friendship disconnected from a church setting or religious function, I as a friend will address them by first name with no title.  When more formality is called for, I address clergy by last name with either “Mr.” or “Fr.” as may be appropriate.  Always in church or at a church-sponsored event, I will use the title and last name.

    The general use of the first name outside the family and circle of close friends is demeaning not only to the priest or bishop, but also to ourselves; i.e. we need that reminder that we are relating to a man in Holy Orders which Orders are to be upheld in esteem.  I believe that such upholding can be helpful to the clergy who perhaps need to be reminded to live up to the holiness of the Orders they hold.

December 24, 2011

LEDs are Inferior on Christmas trees

      The marketers have found one more way to take the religious significance out of Christmas.  It’s the string of LED lights we now put on our Christmas trees.

      Yes, when looked at directly, they are brighter than the (also inferior) tiny incandescent mini-lights; and supposedly they use less electricity.  But LEDs don’t cast enough light even to be reflected by the shiny ornaments nearby on the tree.  Worse, they do not cast a glow into the dark room when the other lights are out.  All they do is run up our electric bills.

      Compare this to the sight of Christmas trees that had strings of 4.5-watt incandescent bulbs of perhaps seven colors which were happily energy-saving contrary to the older 7-watt bulbs.  Maybe for variety they might have lesser strings of flashing mini-lights or bubble lights intermixed among them.  Even in daylight they brightened a room.  At night with the other lights out, they cast their glow to the farthest wall.  To a faithful heart it was a holy glow.  It warmed the heart and the spirit.

      A Christian Christmas tree should say a lot about our Lord’s coming among us.  It should speak of beauty by being beautiful.  It should speak of loving tradition through the years.  By its lights and the light it spreads, it should speak of that Light that came into the darkness to lighten the world and that remains with us always.

      Am I saying that the incandescent bulb is a better symbol for Jesus than the LED?  For use on a Christmas tree, perhaps I am.

December 23, 2011

How to Christianize an “old pagan symbol”

      Most of us in the United States have grown up with Christmas trees as part of the annual tradition within our families.  A recent trend to remind us that this practice is merely the continuance of using an old pagan symbol does not sit well among Christians.  And it shouldn’t if the tree is contributing to the observance of the nativity of Jesus our Savior.

      Here are some thoughts on how to Christianize a Christmas tree.  In other words, this is some of my tradition together with some more recent insights that are surely not new with me.

      Tree-top finial ornaments are unsuitable.  A star is okay.  An angel representing the heavenly host in song (although silent) is much better on the tree top.

      Avoid using crosses as Christmas ornaments on the tree.  This is not that season.  Christmas is the observance of Jesus’ birth, so the ornaments are not to be sad or grim.

      But here’s the most important thing.  Instead of putting presents directly under the tree, use some sort of white tree skirt or white cotton or polyester batting.  On this, place your figurines that make villages or neighborhoods.  In the most prominent and well lighted spot near the trunk of the tree, place your manger scene.  The wrapped presents can be spread on the floor from the edge of the white skirt.

      As blessing might have it, one evening you might be quietly meditating upon that sight.  You might notice that the trunk of the tree appears to be growing up from the roof of the stable where Jesus is in the manger.  You might recall that we were forbidden to eat of the tree of life.  But now, but now, we are no longer forbidden.  We have been given that tree in Jesus himself who is life and offers us life everlasting.  And thus the old pagan symbol is pagan no more.  It now represents that tree of life and love.  It gives a visual symbol of the presence of Christ Jesus in our homes.  The glow of light spreads over us as does the glow of the love of God throughout every second of time since creation and into eternity.