It's Officially Christmas Time

I know some of my church folk are going to be shocked when I tell this... but hey, I am always honest with you.
There is a strange tradition in my life...
I cannot get with the program as far as getting in the mood for Christmas until I see the movie, "Christmas Vacation." My wife dreads it, but she knows it is one of those things she must put up with.
So a few nights ago, I came in and she said, "let's watch a movie." I reluctantly agreed, knowing I had so much more to do to get ready for the next day. I went in and took care of a few things in my office, then went to the living room to watch a movie. "Christmas Vacation" was laying there, and I told my son, "No, mom won't want to see that." He told me that it was her idea, and said, "you need it."
So, I put the movie in, and Libby went into the kitchen and baked some cookies and brought them to me with a glass of milk. She sat in the office playing on the comuter while I laughed my head off, and at the end of the movie she came in and said, "I guess it's a guy thing. Glad you are feeling better."
She's right. It is a guy thing. I don't think the female mind can appreciate that type of humor. It's kind of like the Three Stooges.

I was thinking about that this morning, and wondered why it is that this movie will break me out of the funk that I get into every year about Thanksgiving time. Then I thought, "What is it that puts me into that funk in the first place?"
I think I have figured it out.
The problem is, I cannot stand the commercial aspects of Christmas.
I absolutely detest going into Wally World or any other store this time of year.
This is Christmas time, the time of "Peace on earth, good will to man." But walk into these stores, and reach for something on a shelf, and if you are a little too slow or don't use extreme caution, some little woman will snatch it out of your hand so quick that you might just bring back a nub where your hand used to be. People are rude and down-right obnoxious to you. And don't EVEN think about going to the grocery store on Dec. 23rd or 24th! You may not make it out alive!
That's my problem. That is why I get into a funk this time of year.
We have ruined Christmas!
Sometimes I feel like Charlie Brown when he stood and screamed, "Isn't there someone who can tell me what Christmas is all about?" Only, I know... and it is killing me to see the mess we've made it.
I mean, we even get totally stressed out and have fights in our churches over the Christmas program! It got so bad a few years ago in another church where I was pastoring that I banned Christmas programs. Seriously.

So, allow me my few minutes to sit down and view Chevy Chase as he bumbles his way through Christmas Vacation, because somehow it helps me to escape all this and remember that I have no control over what everyone else is doing. Yep, it's a twisted movie... but the belly laughs are what does it for me.
Proverbs 17:22 says, "A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones."
Okay... I have laughed. My heart is merry... and I can face it all again... at least for a few days. Then I might have to watch it again. Or I might have to break out plan B, which is Bill Murray's "Scrooged."