January 11 , 2024 The Beacon • 15
We can all work to uncover a closet of treasures
Christmas tide ! This old holiday period also was known as Christide . We still sing a rousing song about it , “ Twelve Days of Christmas .” It begins at sunset on Dec . 24 , running through Jan . 5 . The original idea was to feast and fast through that period of time celebrating the birth of Jesus to Epiphany . Traditionally , Epiphany celebrates the coming of the Magi , the revelation of Jesus to the gentile world .
Christmas tide isn ’ t much formally celebrated in America these days . We recognize and celebrate shadows of it from Christmas to New Year ’ s Day . We exchange gifts ; consume carbs , sugar and chocolate by the bucketful ; and decorate our houses , especially with extra Christmas lights and candles . I have a personal sort of a weird custom , two actually . The first is I clean out my closet and dresser to make room for my new shirts , socks and skivvies .
I ’ m not really a clothes horse . When it comes to clothing , my wife would place me on a scale someplace between a debacle and destroyer of linen and denim goods . She ’ s not wrong . If there is a task at hand to be performed , I wouldn ’ t say I ’ m the best at changing outfits before going to work . This usually results in much of my clothing becoming tattered , torn , stained and worn inside of 12 months .
So around this time of year , I address the issue . Sometimes I just paw through closet and drawers to figure out what is unused or has seen better days . But usually I empty out all the contents onto the
Pastor Mike Jansen
Everyday God
bed to give things a thorough study in the enthusiasm of the moment . The idea is to get rid of the stuff that makes my wife ’ s face contort . Articles of clothing treasure that have run the course are stuffed into a garbage bag . Only the useful items go back in the closet and drawers . The rest of the items are discarded .
The second thing I like to do is write a late Christmas letter .
I wish I could write an on-time Christmas letter , but it never seems to quite work out that way . So at some point about Christmas tide , I will pen faraway family and old friends a year-end review . The letter will contain an update on what the kids are up to , some things Sandy and I have discovered or experienced , and a spiritual reflection that strikes me from the season . Sandy will fine-tune the letter for additions and my penchant for comma splices . Then I pull out some envelopes , the Christmas cards of all the folks who did send their cards out on time and I remember .
I remember my eight children dancing around the tree Christmas morning . I remember old Christmases with Mom , Dad , my brothers and sister . My brother Joe is in heaven now , but I remember how he loved Christmas . I remember how I worked on a Christmas tree farm for years , pruning , cutting and selling evergreen magic for people every December . That wonderful husband and wife team that hired me every year and lived to be over 100 years old are both in heaven now .
I remember the aunts and uncles who watched me grow up . Most of them are well into their 80s at this point . I remember their children , my cousins , especially Bob . He hangs out with Joe these days . I remember the in-laws , the outlaws , people I worked with , people I had good times with , people who were my friends who I don ’ t talk to enough anymore . I pull out those envelopes , and if I have a memory that is striking me and an address to go with it , I check in with a late Christmas letter . Sometimes I even give them call . It helps me remember these treasures , the very best of those love times in my life .
As we roll through Christmas tide , what ’ s hanging out in your closets ? Not the dressers or closet of your bedroom , but the heart and mind of your soul ? Are you hanging onto anything that is broken , tattered , stained and worn out ? Guilt , anger , disappointments , sorrows , regret ? It ’ s a new year : Let ’ s get that stuff in a bag and put it out on the curb where it belongs .
What about that good stuff you haven ’ t worn in a while , that stuff in that bottom drawer or the back of the closet ? Not the stuff in garment bags or shoeboxes , but the family and friends from the treasured fabric of our lives ? Old friends , new friends , faraway family , the family right under the roof we live , are we remembering them , seeing them , loving them for the treasure
4 Coshocton residents honored for academics
Southern New Hampshire University congratulated the following students on being named to the fall president ’ s list . The fall terms run from September to December .
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum GPA of 3.7 and above for the reporting term are named to the president ’ s list . Fulltime status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired eight-week terms grouped in fall , winter / spring and summer .
Coshocton residents honored include Joseph Wolfle , Amanda Withrow , Dillon McPeak and Kyra Moore . they are ? I think I ’ m doing better with that than I was last year . I want to get better , even more intentional and purposeful loving others better this year .
The best present of Christmas tide is the time I try to slow down and take stock of what is really important in my life and the lives of others . I remember Jesus came for my rescue . I remember I am to be his ambassador , his reflection . I remember there is no need for me to hold onto things in the closets and dressers of my past that have no value : Discard them !
I try to pour a little time into the treasure of my relationships here on earth , for that is the only thing I will see from this trip in the heavenly realms to come . At the end of the day , at the end of our lives , the only thing we shall take to heaven is love . The Light of the World revealed Christmas Day has been made known to all mankind . May we be faithful to celebrate his coming , his purpose and his love with family , friends and everyone we meet , not just now but this whole new year through .
To you and yours , Merry Christmas tide and the very best for a happy new year !