Tidings of comfort and joy
Here's a pretty old legacy post from the blog archives of Geekery Today; it was written about 20 years ago, in 2004, on the World Wide Web.
I am not a Christian in anything but an aesthetic sense; but I have to confess that I’m a real sap for Christmas. Not the sentimentalized, garishly lit Santa Claus Christmas; I’m a real Grinch when it comes to Rankin-Bass animation or Frank Capra movies. And not the johnny-come-lately sanctimonious and politicized Happy Birthday, Jesus!
fundamentalist Christmas, either; the holiday is not an opportunity for public display of your piety. I mean the simple, quiet, peaceful, earnestly and humbly Christian Christmas. As Linus would say:
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.
That’s what it’s all about. May we all have peace, joy, and light in the coming year. Merry Christmas, everyone.
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