Sunday Reflections: Appreciating Christmas

By Dr. Joey Hickok

Some years ago, we had what I call a two-king Sunday in my church. 

As I admired the candles, greens and tree, I looked closer at the Nativity set; one of the three kings was missing. The chagrinned worship committee chairperson asked if we should just put it away. I got all theological.  

Most of us go into Advent and Christmas with one of our kings missing. Several years after my mother’s death, Christmas is still just not the same. But I certainly still celebrate. Christmas was a big deal in my childhood family and still is today.

The idea that I would skip Christmas because my mother is gone would be ridiculous. Christmas is never the Currier and Ives tableau we think we remember or the one the advertisers want us to create. The hypocrisy award this season may go to Accura, whose ads show silly things people do at Christmas and end by suggesting you be “reasonable” and buy an Acura. Really? 

In the midst of a recession, Acuras and lots of other things are out of reach for a lot of folks. Christmas is never ideal. Someone around you will drink too much, eat too much, say too much and give too little. You won’t be able to get everything you want for yourself or others—that’s not likely.

What you do get is the birth of a Savior who was born in a little hick town in a barn. When Christ was born, he didn’t land in the “1 percent” or have much nice to say about them. 

What he did do was to give hope, encouragement and light to a discouraged people. He still does today. Two Kings? No problem. No baby Jesus in the manger? Now you’ve got a problem.

The Rev. Dr. George Hickok is minister of the Spring Hill Furnace Presbyterian Church in Lake Lynn, Pa. and adjunct professor of sociology at the Community College of Allegheny County-South Campus. He is married to the Rev. Beckie Hickok, minister of in Regent Square.