Merry Christmas? I know there were, and are, naysayers about the effectiveness of masks, yet I still wear one in public when I don’t feel quite right, or when two in my household tested positive and I don’t know what malady I might be sharing. But this hot August day wearing my questionable face guard, I was confronted by an assortment of Halloween masks and decorations. We are over sixty days away from that harvest festival, but I suppose in retail, that is not too early to attract ghost and goblin dollars. I remembered the holiday calendar, that it is typical to get the upcoming holiday purchases in front of people before their trash is dumped from the last event. We want to savor each moment but it seems we are ingrained to hurry things along.

Unhurriedly, King Solomon had spent thirteen years building fitting lodging for the Lord. The Ark of the Covenant could finally rest in a place of honor. The Ark was ceremoniously transferred into the Holy of Holies. I am sure that the High Priest had worked hours preparing a fitting sermon for the event, but as the priest came out of the holy place “a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.”

Only King Solomon could stand before the altar of the Lord within the smoke and fire of G_d. The king raised his hands in adoration to the Lord and in awe of His visitation to the temple saying, “…But will G_d indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built…” When you read through I Kings 7 and 8, clearly this temple was magnificent, but Solomon recognized that it paled before the intended resident. The house of the Lord that day was quite unlike the first lodging chosen when G_d did come to “dwell on the earth” ten centuries later.

Thinking about the coming holidays, I find myself as greedy as those sellers wanting me to buy a Halloween mask in August. I am now thinking of the nineteenth-century poet Christina Rossetti, writer of my favorite Christmas carol, “In the Bleak Midwinter.” The beautiful poem echoes Solomon’s realization that nothing can contain the Lord G_d Almighty, even though a stable can be sufficient temporary lodging for the Divine. I want to re-read St. Luke’s account of the Nativity and to re-read Rossetti’s poem. Now, I am humming Christmas carols and longing to hear James Taylor singing Rossetti’s carol. Only a few hours earlier, I was ready to scold merchants for rushing holidays, but now am eager to plan extravagant Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. Hoping festivities will happen and safely, to gather family and friends in celebration as in years before the sparse gatherings during the pandemic years. New and old memories close to my heart, times perhaps more for me, than for sharing His gifts to me.

Solomon’s prayer was for all the people of Israel, but he included all humanity, those who come to G_d in prayer. All in creation are of G_d, and all are called. Rossetti tells us the only thing that we possess of real value to give to Christ is our heart. I hope that I can hurry along an Advent attitude in my heart towards all persons for the coming four months, and beyond. Perhaps it will manifest itself in loving neighbor, and naysayers, as self; perhaps it will be some penance for my greediness. “Glory to God in the highest; And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” And yes, even in August, Merry Christmas!
Pax,
jbt