Atari, Turkey & Christmas
When I think of Christmas, I have memories. I remember waking up one Christmas morning and finding Castle Grayskull, Battlecat, and a Landshark vehicle underneath the Christmas tree. Another Christmas, I found a brand new Atari 7800 from Santa. A few years later, Santa was kind enough to bring a Sega Master system for my brother and me. And yes, you should stop now and google these items because they are both epic and fantastic! Whoever came up with Landshark was a creative genius.
There are also very comforting memories of being beckoned into my grandparents' kitchen by the scent of a roasted turkey. Glistening white and dark meat beside whipped mashed potatoes with a pool of dark brown gravy and roasted vegetables makes me very happy. My soul also appreciates the additional option of a sweet and savory smoked ham to be added to my plate. Our Christmas table also featured a wide offering of cakes, pies, and other holiday baking.
In a world where time is one of our most valuable commodities, spending it with my mom and dad was a blessing I did not fully appreciate as a kid, but I certainly do now.
While your memories may not include retro video games, I sincerely hope you had similar memories of the Christmas season. I love this season because the value of generosity gets to take center stage. Under the tree, at the dinner table, and in time spent with loved ones.
I also need to acknowledge that not everyone has had the same holiday experiences that I've had. For some, this season is painful. It's memories of an empty tree, no turkey dinner or family to keep company. If this is you, I am genuinely sorry. However, Christmas is meant for you.
As a person of faith, I see the coming of Jesus to earth as more than the arrival of comfort and joy. It's the promise of hope for everyone. The promise of a new world. A world where generosity is the norm, where everyone has more than enough to eat, and no one lives a life shackled by loneliness. As the scriptures say, an era where
"Every Valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed and all people will see it together." Isaiah 40: 4-5
The imagery of mountains being brought down and filling up valleys is powerful— a vision of a level playing field. This vision of the world starts at Christmas. The promise of a world full of life, peace, and joy. A generous world where we live well with one another.
May the spirit of Christmas encourage you to live well. Not only in this season but every day to come.
God bless you this holiday season! Thank you for reading.