It’s that time of year when the air is filled with holiday cheer, or at least it’s supposed to be. However, for many folks, including right here in Warren County, the holiday season isn’t filled with cheer and joy and presents galore. Too often it’s filled with loneliness, illness and abject hopelessness. This community may banter and clash over political ideology but when it comes to individual and collective generosity, Warren countians repeatedly prove their hearts are with their fellow citizens.
From motorcycle groups and local churches joining to ensure children don’t find an empty stocking or bare tree on Christmas morn to civic clubs raising funds to Share a Christmas Dinner, this community cares for its people. Fire may destroy a family abode or the pain of illness may ravage those of all ages, one thing remains clear; neighbors come to help in those times of crisis and need. Warren countians prove this in so many ways, from fund-raisers to help a sick child to the Nursing Home Christmas started years ago from the big heart of the late Kelly Marlowe.
Fortunately for all of us, the message of Christmas is so much more. The innocence of a child and the generosity of a father, the Heavenly Father, and Lord of the Ages make Christmas more than tinsel, glitter, evergreen and cute jingly songs. Charles Schultz beautifully wrapped up the meaning of Advent in his timeless classic, "It’s a Charlie Brown Christmas." Amid the hustle, wishing and stressing of the Peanuts gang in trying to make their wishes come true, Charlie Brown finds his desire to have the material trappings of the holiday leave him lacking true happiness. Enter Linus Van Pelt, and the wisdom of a child, and how clearly kids see actions and results. Linus succinctly wraps the greatest story ever told into a nutshell of truth for the ages.
He quotes Luke 2:10-11; “And the angel said unto them. Fear not: for, behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, 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.”
A Savior for the ages and for all people, no exceptions: ethnicity, age, social status. There’s nobody too old, too mean, too smart, too far gone into despair, too poor, too kind, or even too good to avoid the great need that would compel God to send His sinless and only child to face the earthly struggles and separations He knew were coming, and ultimately would lead Jesus to His final sacrifice on the terrible Cross at Calvary. Thankfully, and what we should all know: then came Easter; the babe of Bethlehem who fully became the sinless ransom for mankind’s depravity for all eternity. The two stories are as entwined as are the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Shining Star of Bethlehem never glowed brighter than the glory of Easter morn; it takes both to complete the story that began with shepherds watching their sheep.
We at the Southern Standard wish to all the blessings of Christmas and the gift of the Christ Child. We pray for peace on earth and a bright and loving 2024.
