As I See It…

Christmas is officially over. I know that for several reasons, all associated with today being the first day of the New Year. On that day there are several family traditions/tasks that are accomplished.

First, all the Christmas decorations come down. By that I mean ALL of the Christmas decorations! The tree is neatly disassembled (we gave up on the real thing years ago). The knick-knacks of Yule tide colors and styles are all repacked and stored. The furniture is rearranged, floor vacuumed and wreaths stowed in their plastic bags once again. There is also the sniveling remnant of baked goodies slowly disappearing from the counters and onto our waistlines.

Second, it is the day when I sort and file all of last year’s financial receipts and records in anticipation of the days that I sit down with my computer and appropriate software to satisfy the demands (I almost typed “demons!”) of the IRS.

Third, there is the rambling eye attention to the TV of various parades and football games. Though, of the latter, with passing years, I don’t have the same heightened interest I once had. I must be getting older.

Fourth, there is attention to the New Year. I don’t know exactly why we have the hype and holler that we do about the New Year. The sun came up this morning just like it did every other morning so far this early winter. I must confess that it’s an encouraging experience to put up the new calendar for the year and note that my watch and computer have chronicled a new digit at the end of the year’s marking.

Beyond that, though, why should starting something “new” be any different now than, say, March 12th? Or, what about those cultures that celebrate the New Year on a lunar calendar basis? Who has the better perspective?

But lest I leave too cynical an edge to my ramblings about the changing of the yearly guard, let me leave the final word to someone much wiser than I, King Solomon. Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them” But then, you don’t need to be a “youth” to profit from the king’s admonition.

Pastor Megilligan