Dissipation, Drunkenness and Doubts

Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. Luke 21: 34

Walking through the mall with my family, we came across a young man selling olive wood carvings of various themes from the Bible. Prominent among them were manger scenes in different varieties. Among others were Last supper, Christ on the cross, Good Shepherd with a lamb around his shoulders, and many others. On the roof of his cart that had all these carvings displayed was a small board that read Bethlehem Christian Families.

He said this olive art tradition had been handed down from father to son since the 12 th century. The designs displayed on this small cart were the workmanship of over 85 families. The wood used was from Olive trees that were over 700 years old.

We were delighted with the designs and more so that they were from olive trees grown in the holy land for thousands of years. The religious significance of them made out of the evergreen Olive tree the symbol of peace and beauty, possibly the wood used to crucify Christ also compelled us to make a small investment in the manger scene on a lazy Susan, with music box attached at the bottom of it. We hoped it would provide entertainment for our one year old as well. Here in this Temple of Commerce, we found something symbolic of Christmas. With long lines of families waiting to take a photograph with Santa and even longer lines with shoppers waiting to buy stuff from Sears, Macys and J. C. Penny we found ourselves indulging in buying this scene. We found ourselves been drawn out of the maddening crowd of shoppers to this carpenter with a push cart carrying his merchandise from Bethlehem.

It was something that stirred our memories of a long time ago in Bethlehem when the Christ child was born. Something that brought in the living presence of the Christ into our lives. Something that fills us with hope that one day we will be with Him. As the season of feasting, acquiring and drunkenness sets upon us, let us find ways to turn to Christ. When we set out dining, acquiring, achieving and drinking, we scarcely have time for God. Christ is telling us to take care for He is present where He is invited to be. Christ is present among the poor, lonely, sick, and forgotten. Are these not people who have the time for Christ? Do you know of anyone who is in dire need? If not find someone stricken by poverty, death, or illness and reach out to them during this season of Christmas with your presents or with your presence in their midst.