The final arrival

of Christmas Day brings important considerations. Like, the trash. It's

very important that you didn't miss putting out the garbage can last week.

For this week's will be running over with Christmas trash: wrapping paper,

inside Styrofoam cushioning, boxes, and throwaways from food preparation.

My father-in-law is always amazed how much trash we can produce when all

five of us get together. But, boy, we can generate the garbage.

Another consideration

is boredom. Christmas Day usually finds folks finding something to do

after all the hoopla. The gifts have been opened and assessed as to which

ones will be returned. The turkey and ham no longer have the appeal before

knives and forks attacked. What do you do? The movies! That's why they

are open on Christmas Day; they know you will be bored and developing

cabin Christmas fever. Go see a movie.

Now, just think

about it. Christmas is all about the warmth of family, the devotion of

faith, and cherishing of traditions. What do we end up doing? Sitting

down and watching a movie. At least, I suppose we can say, "We watched

a movie TOGETHER on Christmas Day." Wow! Big deal!

Then, there

is the matter to decide whom to call. On the telephone. Okay, sure, call

Mama and Daddy. But what about sister and brother? What do you say after,

"Merry Christmas. How was your Christmas? What did you get?"

The truth surfaces that it's hard to act interested when you have not

been interested the rest of the year (this is not directed at my four

sisters who always have shown their interest and love).

As I remember

Christmases past, one of the important considerations has been the meaning

of life and what really is significant. I think the manifest boredom many

feel on Christmas Day may be a mask for deeper questions of purpose and

meaning. I mean, another Christmas has come and gone and what's better

about my life? Has my life degenerated into making sure all the trash

is out of the house every Friday or Thursday or whatever your pickup date

is? Has my life become so bored that I depend upon Hollywood to perk me

up and stimulate my brain cells? I mean, am I to depend upon Leonardo

DiCaprio in Gangs of New York to save my Christmas from a washout? Does

Hollywood market its products assured of my boredom? Bet your Christmas

pudding on it, mate (that is if you had a Christmas pudding).

"So, what

are you saying, John?" I say do a little revolting. Stop being subject

to the intimidation of Christmases past. Break your rut (a rut is a coffin

with the ends knocked out). The first Christmas was about God deciding

to do things differently. For hundreds of years, he tried preaching. He

gave up on preaching and decided to invade the planet with himself. What

a totally revolting development it was.

This Christmas

Day, think about something other than taking out the trash. Catch the

drift?

The Rev.

Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of

River's Edge Community Church

1091 South Jeff Davis Drive

Fayetteville, Georgia 30215

770-719-0303

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