Today is the 12th and final day of the Christmas season. Tomorrow, the Magi arrive, bringing the liturgical season of Epiphany with them. And so today, I decided to begin putting away the Nativity scene, my Willow Creek Christmas figures, the two antique-red Father Christmases, the beautiful little craft Christmas tree I’d bought several years ago at “The Heck with the Malls” in Centreville, MD, when I was Priest in Charge at St. Paul’s.
Despite the fact that most radio stations stopped playing Christmas music by the end of Christmas Day, I have continued to play my own (sizeable) Christmas music on CDs. This afternoon, as I finished writing thank you notes, I listened to one of my favorite CDs: “Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration.” Whether George Frederic would either recognize or approve is a question unanswered; however, I love it. It features singers like Patti Austen, Al Jarreau Gadys Knight, Johnny Mathis, Take 6, Vanessa Williams, Joe Sample, Edwin Hawkins. Quincy Jones is the conductor, and this “Messiah” rocks and jams and ebbs and flows. Some of it makes me want to weep. Some of it makes me want to dance. It’s on the Reprise Records label, if you’re interested.
Anyway, I digress. I began to put away Christmas decorations, and when the Nativity set and Santas and little tree were all tucked away for their year-long nap, and most of the Willow Creek angels were also packed, I stopped. I decided to leave the Christmas tree up one more night, because the Lion King Baby and I both like the white, twinkling lights.
Then with some measure of wistfulness, I packed two of the last three angels: “The Angel of Harmony” and “The Angel of Christmas Spirit.” However, when I picked up the last one–”The Angel of Peace”–I held for a moment, and then placed her back on the mantel.
The Prince of Peace may have come to be with us humans over two thousand years ago. Yet war still rages in so many parts of the world, and so there is no peace. No wholeness. No shalom.
So for now, my “Angel of Peace” will remain on the mantel, surveying my small domestic world. And in my morning prayers, I shall continue to pray that true peace will come in 2008 for those who desire to see that day when the lion will lie down with the lamb and the wolf with the kid.
May the God of Peace reign in your own homes and in your own lives this year.
© Text and photos by Sheila N. McJilton
