Saturday, December 26, 2009

Christmas

Something happens to your Christmas celebration once you have been to Israel. No matter how hard you try, you cannot go back to picturing it the way you used to. That is why I love my nativity set from there. It features a palm tree. Every nativity set should feature a palm tree. I have always loved the way the LA Temple lights the palm trees. They not only swirl the lights around the trunk, but they outline the leaves. Some people only picture Christmas Trees as the evergreen trees that have been brought to us thanks to Germany. I love those, too. But the most Christmassy trees are the palm trees. Having lived in Southern California all my life, except for a brief stint in Hawaii (also has palms) and Taiwan (also has palms) and Provo, Utah (no palms, but mountains to die for) and now Las Vegas (plenty of palms here) I have a deep appreciation for the palm. Thanks to five years in the desert, I can even identify various types: queen, fan, date, royal, etc. Anyway, this is not about palm trees. It is about picturing Christmas.

We have been conditioned to desire the White Christmas. Bing Crosby/Irving Berlin did a pretty good sales job with that. The way Bing croons that tune, I would believe practically anything he sang. We think of a stable being what we think of as a stable. Made of wood with a little trough for food that could easily double as a bed for a baby with a little hay and straw (I'm not a farm girl so I am not sure the difference between those two) and a cute light blue blanket to keep our Savior warm. We immediately transfer our own understanding and circumstances to try to picture the Christmas. By tradition Joseph is a carpenter. Even though there is no reference to him being a carpenter in the scriptures, we sing and imagine his carpentering skills. Nazareth is surrounded by stone. Everyone in Nazareth was a stone cutter. Trees that would be used in carpentering are not even indigenous to Nazareth. Joseph was most likely a stone cutter, which actually makes a lot of scriptures with prophesies of Christ make more sense. But here again, we revert back to our little visions based on our favorite songs, scenes, and experiences.

The truth of it: those of us fortunate to live in deserts during the Christmas season are much closer to the scenery of the birthplace of our Savior. The terrain, the weather, the flora and fauna are all very to close to Bethlehem. Rocky hillsides, caves, and leather sandals (I think very similar to flip-flops in my own little mind) were the setting of Christmas long ago. When they were turned away at the inn, as a child, I always pictured a Motel 6 with a flashing "no vacancy" sign out front. It was really just peoples' homes, that they would fill up with passing travellers.

One thing that is for certain: the herald angels sang, the star shone bright, the Savior of our world was born that night. It was a miracle. It continues to be a miracle as individuals turn their hearts to our Redeemer and make covenants to remember Him, try to be like Him, and to follow Him.

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

2 comments:

meg said...

Lisa I just *loved* this post. Loved it. It has been many years now that I lived in Israel for 6 months as a student, but you are right - once you have been, it changes your life forever.

Funny how you mention palm trees and desert. I have tried all my life to get away from anything having to do with the desert - that's how much I hate it - but can't seem to ever shake it off. I would happily buy into the Bing Crosby/German pine tree, snow covered version of Christmas - and have willingly done that. But you are correct in your depiction of what the REAL nativity was like - I have an olive wood nativity as well, and it means a great deal to me.

The movie "The Nativity" is a wonderful representation of the birth of Christ. It has a few incorrect details, but all in all, it depicts what life was probably very much like for Mary and Joseph at that time - including all they had to go through at such a young age (and hardly knowing each other) before the birth of the Savior. But it gives you such respect for who they really were, and what they really faced. And like you mentioned, the terrain in which the Savior was brought into the world.

Happy Holidays my dear friend!!! xoxoxo

Rachelle@atticgals.blogspot.com said...

Thanks for posting this. I remember as a chid growing up in the desert, we would bemoan the fact that we never had a white Christmas, and my Mom would always tell us how lucky we were to live in a place much like where the first Christmas took place! It made me learn to love living here, and love celebrating Christmas with beautiful weather! (Having just spent the last 2 days in the freezing snow, i am doubly glad to live here! White Christmas - No thanks!)

Funny, but when I was setting up my nativity sets this year, one of my kids suggested I get some artificial snow and sprinkle it all around the nativities. I told him to bite his tongue! There will never be snow on my nativities!