Christmas by The Stream

"It's been a long time since I felt good, neighborly."

By Al Perrotta Published on December 8, 2016

Show of hands β€” or given the cold snap, show of mittens. How many have a family member or friend from whom the election has left you estranged β€” who has defriended you on Facebook, avoided you at church, found an excuse to avoid a family holiday function? Or perhaps you’re the one whose passion ran so hot it burned bridges and could stop the Arctic Express in its tracks.

Don’t you pray that the rancor and recriminations would melt away? Doesn’t your Christmas wish list include regaining that other person’s good graces? Giving those folks a hug? Can we not have “Peace on Facebook, Goodwill toward Friends”?

No doubt this year, more than any in recent memory, we “need a little Christmas, right this very minute,” as songwriter Jerry Herman so brilliantly wrote. We have, in Herman’s words,”Grown a little colder. Grown a little sadder. Grown a little older.” (He also wrote we’ve “grown a little leaner.” Fat chance of that with all the nervous eating during the campaign and the holiday baking since.)

Herman tucked another line into his holiday classic that summarizes 2016 beautifully. Amid his joyful imagery of hauling out the holly, slicing up the fruitcake and placing candles in the window, he says, “It’s been a long time since I felt good, neighborly.”

It’s been a long time since America’s felt good, neighborly. As Christians, isn’t it our duty to help bring that spirit back?

To that end, we bring you “Christmas by The Stream.” We are posting stories and special features crafted with an eye towards healing and our common humanity, reconnecting to each other and to the Christ Child. Some of these stories you’ve already seen, like Jim Tonkowich’s “We Need a Little Advent”, Tom Gilson’s “Make Christmas Great (Again) With True Christmas Spirit”, and Jennifer Hartline’s personal, touching reflection on “Christmas Grief”.

In the days leading up to Christmas, we’ll visit with small town Christmas choirs, hear the poetic reflections of Mary and be inspired by the sisters Martha and Mary. We’ll also hang out at Washington. D.C.’s historic Union Station, hearing what Americans themselves have to say about their hopes for Christmas and beyond. And we shall go to Bethlehem, kneeling in awe at the Child who came to save us all.

Because if there is one thing we understand it’s this: While the world is squabbling about fake news this Christmas season, we need to celebrate the Real News: that unto us a Child is born, unto us the Son is given.

 

Al Perrotta is the Managing Editor of The Stream.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Like the article? Share it with your friends! And use our social media pages to join or start the conversation! Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, MeWe and Gab.

Inspiration
The Scarcity Mindset
Robert Morris
More from The Stream
Connect with Us