A Christmas Parade

I looked into the eyes of parents and children one Saturday night during Linden’s Christmas Parade.  Some were screaming in anticipation of candy, beads, or a T-shirt.  Some were downright ugly in their pleas for these condiments of Christmas.

Santa and his little helper tossed beads, candy, pencils, T-shirts, and stuffed animals toward what are normally, upstanding citizens, of the hamlet of West Alabama.  Mixed with the screams for objects of Christmas cheer were the occasional shout about the reality of jolly fat man dressed in red and white atop the fire engine.

There in the crowd was a mother snatching the gift from her son and a dad holding a small child that was too timid to scream at those on the parade floats.  Scuffling boys competed for pencils and beads as police and volunteers directed traffic insuring that everyone had opportunity to get the simple gifts dispersed by Old Saint Nick and his small assistant.

It is said that the Christmas season brings out the best in people.  I saw that disappear for a few moments in the parade.  The debacle of momentary insanity on the crowded sidewalks of downtown is akin to catfish in a pond at feeding time.  Everyone is grabbing for penny ante candy and cheap beads.  Santa had to instruct a man that the purple hippo tossed to a small, shy little girl was her's, not him.  He looked miffed, but the joy the little girl gave through her smile was priceless.  Santa had tossed her a stuffed animal.

I have to ask the question why do people act so bizarre at events such as parades.  As I took my early morning walk the following morning, beads, various hard candies, and wrappers desecrated the streets that were decorated for Christmas.  Gone were the vendors, most of the rides, the laughter, and the excitement.  Now, the hum of a generator stirred the morning fog.  Linden looked like a desolate place.  Pieces of dropped and discarded food were now the property of ants and other assorted insects collecting for the approaching storm.  Dogs, cats, and many other varmints feasted on the waste of having a good time and celebrating Christmas.

I suppose that Bethlehem was like that the morning that Jesus lay in the manger.  The night before was bustling with excitement.  People from distant lands returned home to complete the census for the Roman government.  I wonder who my ancient counterpart was the morning after the Shepherds and the Heavenly host had visited the place where the Messiah was born.  I wonder what sounds hummed that morning and if Bethlehem looked like a deserted place.

I am inclined to think that very little changed that morning in Bethlehem, but I am sure that the Shepherds did more than hum.  They were witnesses to the birth of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Lots of hard work goes into hosting a parade and I am thankful to live in a town, county, and country where we have parades celebrating magnificent moments in our being.  My prayer is that God’s people share the true meaning of magnificent moments to a world that wants and settles for hangouts.

The look in the eyes of spectators is haunting.  Screaming, pushing, and shoving for what the poet A. E. Houseman termed “endless rue” is the nature of society.  The real purpose of the parade is priceless.  God gave us Himself.

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son (Galatians 4:4a KJV).

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger (Luke 2:11-12 KJV).

Remember in a time where fear and anxiety rule, God remains King of kings and Lord of lords.  Candy, beads, and things are the condiments of Christmas.  Jesus is the true gift of hope and peace.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year