A year ago at this time, if you were to ask a person they planned to celebrate Christmas 2020, I suspect most would say similar to how they would be celebrating Christmas 2019, which is likely following established familial traditions. Yet, as we know 2020 has turned much of our normal lives and traditions upside down. Due to the pandemic, Christmas this year will not be like that of last year. Christmas this year will be with those in their household, or a small family gathering. One would suspect that even New Year's Eve celebrations will be more tame this year.
 |
| Cave in Shepherd Field Area, Near Bethlehem, Shepherds would have lived in this cave. |
Personally, the Land Girl and I will celebrate Christmas by ourselves. Although we may do a video conference with the boys and their spouses. Getting together with family and friends is a big part of the Christmas celebrations, as well it should. Even on that first Christmas, Jesus was visited by shepherds on the day of his birth who, in heeding the words of some angels, left their flocks, in haste, to strode the rocky paths near Bethlehem to find a cave which would contain the new born Christ child. The kid was not in a bed or being held by his mother, but was laying in a feed trough. We know that Mary had some relatives in the area, but did they visit her? It is doubtful. Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist and a distant cousin of Mary's, lived in Ein Karem, about 8 miles from what is the place tradition holds as the birthplace of Christ--the current Church of the Nativity. Of course, Elizabeth was tending a six month old infant, so chances are she did not make the full day trek. She would probably need to spend the night, and there was no room at the inn.
 |
| Ongoing Excavations at Shepherd's Fields |
Our 21st century homes and surroundings in the developed world are more spacious and warm than the dark, damp cave in which Christ was born. Mary, his mother arrived in Bethlehem on a donkey, while Joseph, her husband, led them from Nazareth to Bethlehem on foot. The birth of Jesus was announced by angels who appeared to the shepherds. There was also the bright star which sufficiently intrigued the Magi for them to take the arduous journey to Bethlehem. Today, we get information overload. There are those who (over) use Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook; there is the overall internet which allows access to news and information at the flick of a few touches, or keys (provided you do not have an extremely slow computer or device). Yet, you can connect to a person half way around the world in an astoundingly short span of time. Angels can appear instantly as well, as Mary, Joseph, and shepherds found out. The fashion in which they appear likely varies depending upon the situation. The Annunciation, three appearances to Joseph, and the shepherds, the angels, well I guess you could say they just zoomed in.
 |
| Interior of the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem |
Yet, zoom or not, I doubt there is anything that can replace face to face contact. For example, Mom's and Dad's wishing to hug the offspring that have departed the nest. On the Saturday before Christmas we met our oldest son and his wife at a State Forest site in Black River Falls. We were able to enjoy each others company around a campfire with chili and hot chocolate. It was a nice get together and luckily it was not windy nor did we have extreme cold. In anticipation of my birthday, which was the following Monday, our son and his wife stopped at Norske Nook in Osseo, WI and bought a peanut butter and chocolate pie to have in celebration of my birthday. As one would expect from Norske Nook, the pie was really good. We took the leftover pie home which, according to my wife should have lasted much longer if I had cut not the slices of our next helping so extremely large. All but one piece was gone by the time we went to bed. What can I say, the pie was very appealing.
 |
| Place at which Christ was Born Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem |
Having had so much of such a rich desert, in a short amount of time, I decided to give my wife a break and not ask her to make the homemade chocolate cake she has made on my birthday for years. It actually makes some sense, as with only the two of us around, and an inability to "half" the recipe, that would be a lot of cake for two to eat, on top of the Christmas cookies and other sweets available this time of year. We discussed the possibility of having it on a half birthday, in June, when there are less sweet treats. So, yes my birthday was celebrated different this year. I did have a birthday treat, a grasshopper, on which my wife put a candle on top, all set for me to blow out.
 |
| Full Moon over Bethlehem, April 2013 |
Even with lack of a birthday cake, my wife still thinks I am spoiled. She believes a whole blog post should be devoted to that that theme. The plan for my birthday was to order food from a local restaurant--either Angelo's or Luke's. Angelo's Restaurant opens for orders in the latter part of the afternoon, whereas Luke's Cafe is for breakfast and lunch and closes at three pm. I decided to order from Luke's due to the large meal the night before. What did we have Sunday night? I was expecting to eat left-over chili that we took with us for our outdoor get together Saturday, but my wife made Chicken Parmesan. Chicken Parmesan was the first meal she made for me. It is to her and I what lemon chicken is to Deborah and Ray Barone. Although that analogy is probably not the best since Deborah only knows how to make two things well: braciole and lemon chicken. The Land Girl's culinary skills is more akin to that Marie Barone than that of Deborah. Unlike Marie, whose secret ingredient in her tomato sauce is Ragu, Land Girl makes her sauce from scratch using tomatoes we grew in the garden and she canned.
 |
| View of part of Bethlehem, |
Because of having lemon chicken, I mean Chicken Parmesan, on Sunday evening, I thought we would go for a lighter fare and order from Luke's for lunch on Monday. Angelo's, as the name implies, has mainly Italian food. So, why am I, in her mind anyway, spoiled? Because she made me Chicken Parmesan, when I was not expecting it. If I am spoiled, it is because she likes to do so. But, I am not one to complain about having had her Chicken Parmesan.
 |
| Manger Square in Bethlehem |
While, I may have done without the flavorful two-tiered chocolate cake, with raspberry filling between the layers this year, at least I did not have to journey 90 miles on foot in the rough, cobbled and dusty terrain inherent in the geography between Nazareth and Bethlehem. Not to mention, shortly after not being able to return home, but making a journey to Egypt to avoid Herod's persecution of young children. Origen (of Alexandria), the third century theologian, has an interesting take on how we inform the Gospels, when he says that "every good deed which we perform for our neighbor is taken up into the Gospel which is written in the tablets of heaven and read by all those worthy of knowledge of all things." From my way of thinking, the idea of a motile Gospel informed by our actions best sums the meaning of Christmas. After all, it is the day on which the incarnate and only son of God was born to save humanity. Our doing good deeds are important to the family, community, and ourselves. The good deeds may range from the mundane to the important: being spoiled by your wife, volunteering for a worthy cause, or providing alms to the needy all have their place in today's world. As is showing respect to our common home. We are reminded by St Nicholas and his offshoot, Santa Claus, that gift giving to our loved ones, and to the less fortunate also has a place. Acts of charity provide one small action of peace in a troubled world.
 |
| Bethlehem, the fence separates Israeli from Palestinian Settlements |
Our celebrations will be different this year, but they do not have to be any less meaningful. While Christ had guests arrive to celebrate his birth, many may rely on Zoom or some other media to connect with family members. It will be a different Christmas. But in so doing, it may help us better understand and appreciate one another and the true meaning of the day.
No comments:
Post a Comment