Stephen Bleile

Let’s pretend this was posted on Saturday and not early in the morning on Sunday.  That way it can still be day 6 and I won’t have to write a doubly good post to make up for missing a day.

People have a lot of funny ideas about Christmas. Based on the nativity scenes I’ve seen around I would think most people think when Jesus was born in a manger it was a very nice, clean, hygienic and happy sort of place complete with cattle lowing and baby Jesus awaking to Joseph and Mary discussing how the decorum was really “rather pastoral” and “how quaint it all was.”

This strikes me as amusing.  Let’s get this super clear: Jesus was born in a barn, not a 5 star resort in the back of the hotel that they kept just in case the rest of the rooms were full.  Animals live in barns.  More to the point, animals poop in barns. I’d say that was at least 5 stars off the rating.  Poop is neither hygienic or aesthetically appealing.  It also stinks. As would a barn that was full of said animals and said poop. (Even a really nice one with really nice cows and sheep.)

You can see the movie version of the real manger scene in what I remember to be a less than inspirational movie called “Nativity.”  Idonno. It just seems like too nice of a barn.

Another funny belief that comes out around now is that a fat man climbs into a sleigh that flies solely on the power of reindeer, (and Christmas spirit according to some movies) traverses the earth spreading good cheer, and then goes back to the north poll for another year of watching us.  This man watches you whether you’re awake or sleeping and based on some unknown standard of being good or bad rewards or punishes you for your efforts throughout the year.  I’m not assessing the reality of this situation.  I’m just saying it’s a creepy mascot for the season that, frankly, would not make it into my list of options to make Christmas about something other than Jesus.  (I just can’t get over how creepy it is to suggest this old jolly man is watching me sleep.) I would say the Easter Bunny was a way better addition to the folklore of our holidays.  A bunny that lays chocolate eggs… that’s pretty cool. (And not creepy.)

My final funny belief, for today,  is that we have to reciprocate every kindness shown to us and not show too much kindness unless someone else feels that they have to reciprocate.  This bizarre notion effectively destroys the whole reason behind giving.  If we give expecting something in return or receive feeling like we have to reciprocate we miss it.  Giving should be just that.  A gift.  I should be able to give without wondering if everything is even between us.  I should be able to give without keeping track.  I can’t even say I’m the best at this… only that in an ideal world people wouldn’t keep track of who did what and who owes who what. Somewhere in this riddle of ‘being fair’ and ‘giving’ is what love is I’m pretty sure.

Enjoy your funny beliefs this season.  I know I will.

sb