Under The Olive Tree

It’s Christmas!

First they sold our own festival of the soul to us. – And then they condemned us for our transgression – all the while preparing us for the time in which they would ban any participation in the genuine festival of the soul – Christmas Day.

From browbeating us in public for simply mentioning this high and Holy day for true believers – to the outright persecution of our bodies – even slaughter and death – our society and our Nation – the countries of the Ancient civilizations – and the emerging humanistic social order all proclaimed our expulsion – nay, our eradication; with one voice.

But what is Christmas day – if not the celebration of our coronation and our anointing? - for on this day we celebrate that torment and hate – even death itself, cannot stop our reign.

“For unto you is born this day in the City of David – a Saviour which is Christ the Lord, and ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.” – Gabriel the Arch Angel

The voice of an Arch Angel? The sound of a trumpet? Shepherds called as witnesses, and Simeon called to see the Salvation of Israel? Patron saints and Holy Ghost, war in Heaven – Peace on Earth. Signs, and miracles, – and wonders.- robes of righteousness and light. God’s voice heard like thunder – and the Transformation? Bodies sown in earth and tried in fire – raised in glory knowing still; all the scars of battles won – God the Father, Virgin Mary – Holy Spirit – Jesus born.

Saints who visit in the night – bearing messages and gifts – wise men traveling from distant lands – called there by the star of Bethlehem.

Flight to Egypt – life in an obscure village – the very nature of God revealed.

Betrayal, Justice’s mockery – cruel death and borrowed tomb – then life for all eternity.

This birthday that we gather round our families – our friends – our town; is full of mystery and awe – for on this day we celebrate not just His birth – but that the veil has opened for us – Earth’s sojourn is given meaning – souls of those who’ve gone before us destinations understood – and for men of good will, everlasting peace on Earth.

Then what of old St. Nicolas, that bishop once in fettered chains – he who bestowed all his wealth to rescue those in want or those in peril in the sea – or children in distress?

For centuries his story was told to the children – for he had answered Jesus’ call to “follow me.”

Today we taint his memory – for merchants have laid claim to his great soul to use his name for wicked gain.

The present desecration of the Christmas Feast – let us bring it to and end & celebrate again, for “angels we have heard on high” proclaim salvation in His name – Jesus, Christ, Immanuel – the Lord of Love to Rule, and the King of Kings to Reign.