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Article Excerpt from The Emmaus Journal © C.L. Mareydt d23
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The Emmaus Journal - "Somebody Please Stop The Merry
Go Round - I Have To Get Off!"
'Stop, somebody please stop the merry-go-round, I have to get
off.'
Do those words bring back any childhood memories? I can remember
that exact phrase coming out of my mouth as a child! I had no
sooner jumped up on the playgrounds' intoxicating and well used
merry-go-round, then within a few turns of it's rotation,
desperately wanting off. I was afraid to jump, and dragging my
feet in the worn circular trench underfoot was the next best
alternative; unless a kind hearted playmate daringly grabbed an
outside rail and forced the merry-go-round to a halt. Not only
did I experience the dizzying effects of the merry-go-round's
centrifugal force, my equilibrium suffered greatly even well
after the ride. But, for some childish reason, this did not stop
me, from jumping up on the merry-go-round the next time I went
to the playground.
Thankfully, we all grow-up and learn as we go. I personally had
to avoid the merry-go-round, even at the gleeful beckonings of
my playground friends. Yes, the playground is full of wonderful
childhood memories. Many of life's lessons are learned within
those memorable childhood years, and thankfully without the
matured mental capacity to fully evaluate them till later on in
life.
Our Americanized lifestyle presents it's own array of
merry-go-rounds. Even, we as Believers have unabashingly jumped
aboard some of the seemingly innocent and gone along for the
dizzying ride. One of the greatest rides is within the well
marketed advent of our Holiday Season. From Thanksgiving Day,
thru Christmas Day, on to New Year's Day, there seems to be the
same dizzying effect perpetrating our social playgrounds. The
Holiday Merry-Go-Round frenzy of preparing for these strategic
events surreptitiously invades our homes, schools, churches,
business's, and last but not least, our very souls. As Christian
Believers we need to recognize the consequences of jumping on
this Holiday Merry-Go-Round, each in our own way.
>From the red and green holiday color-wheel to the plethoric
glitz of holiday decorations, we are bombarded at every turn
with the zeal of our local retailers. Advertisements abound to
catch our eye. Credit cards are blithely scanned, with nary a
conscious consideration of the so un-holiday red line of over
extensions. Check books flash, and pockets empty out their paper
bills and jiggling change, all for the perfect gift that must be
perfectly presented in cheerful ribbons and jolly designer
paper. Holiday tunes subliminally turn our fancy to seek out
Santa Claus at the Mall. The sweet tooth fairy sprinkles her
holiday fairy dust upon our taste-buds. Such a rush of plans and
festivities, from the holiday greeting cards, to the holiday
menu's, to the shopping excursions, to the gift wrapping, to the
tree and home decorating, to the parties that run day and night.
A crescendo of Holiday anticipations arise as the eventful
pressures prevail. A countdown to the 25th ticks away as all
eyes turn to the upcoming New Year...
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in
the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the
Angel of Elohim came upon them, and the Glory of Elohim shone
round about them and they were sore afraid. And, the Angel said
unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you Good Tidings of
Great Joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born
this day in the City of David, a Savior, who is Yahshua, the
Christ. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the
babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And
suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the Heavenly
Host praising YaHWeH (God) and saying, Glory to YaHWeH (God) in
the Highest, and on earth Peace, Good Will toward men." St. Luke
2:8-14
... The proverbial gifts opening and the big eyed children and
the fabulous eats abound in displays of holiday cheer. Usually
in such merry making with all the holiday hugs, smiles and
kisses exchanged right up into the climatic New Year. And,
before we can hardly catch our breath again, it is over! The
ride has ended, the merry-go-round grinds to a halt. Our dizzy
little heads need to rest. Our equilibrium staggers as we try to
stumble back into our everyday routines. But, then the holiday
decorations have to be packed away, the holiday bills have to be
paid, the holiday extra weight has to come off, etc, etc.
But, I thought the Holiday Merry-Go-Round had stopped! Yes, it
did, but now comes the cold reality of the Americanized Holiday
Merry-Go-Round's after effects. Where once as a child the
merry-go-round only left you with a dizzy head, and a funny
walk; this kind of merry-go-round leaves you with more to deal
with afterwards. We ceremonially rationalize our Holiday
Merry-Go-Round, as part of our Christian culture. After all, it
is all about Christ anyway, and the extra holiday spirit doesn't
harm anyone. What would the children do if we did not celebrate
the holiday's like everyone else? We all need this time to be
special. After all, it is all biblically based and there's no
real harm in it anyway...
"Now when Yahshua (Jesus) was born in Bethlehem of Judea
in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from
the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of
the Jews? for we have seen His Star in the East, and are come to
worship Him." St. Matthew 2:1-2
... Most certainly our Holiday traditions have become so
entrenched within our religious and worldly psyche, that to jump
off such a merry-go-round would be unthinkable, if not downright
impossible. What on earth would we do? Not have any Holiday
Season? Not celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, the New Year?
That is just plain insane. But, like most of us have found out
as adults, we do have a choice, just like we did as a child on
the playground; to jump on the merry-go-round or not. We also
can realize if the ride is at the point of making us
uncomfortable, we can choose to drag our feet, and slow it down,
or jump off, or ask for help. We can say no to all our little
playmates that are urging us on. We can you know. Perhaps by
bringing in some matured christian sense of well being and
balance, perhaps by acknowledging the real truth and facts about
all the holidays; instead of aimlessly going along with the
Holiday Merry-Go-Round ride as it goes faster and faster...
"And behold there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was
Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the
consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it
was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see
death before he had seen Elohim's (the Lord's) Christ. And he
came by the Spirit into the Temple: and when the parents brought
in the child Yahshua (Jesus), do do for him after the custom of
the law, Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed YaHWeH
(God), and said: YaHWeH (God), now let your servant depart in
peace, according to your word. For mine eyes have seen your
Salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all
people; a Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the Glory of your
people Israel." St. Luke 2:25-32
Christians certainly know that Thanksgiving is a life event. Not
brushed over so easily once a year with a turkey dinner
celebration. But a genuine lifestyle of Thanksgiving toward
YaHWeH (God), for more than the historical events that
Thanksgiving can relate. As sojourners upon this earth we can
empathize with the 'Pilgrims' who celebrated a Thanksgiving
Feast due to their tremendous and difficult circumstance they
had endured and had come thru.
Christians certainly know that December 25th is not the accurate
date of birth for Yahshua (Jesus). If any close date could be
stated it would be most likely in late spring or early fall.
December 25th was the birth of Mithra, Iranian God of Light.
Liberius, Bishop of Rome ordered the adoption of this date in to
counteract the effects of all the pagan festivals. Yahshua's
birth date was adjusted to fit accordingly.
Christians certainly know the christmas tree is related to more
pagan rituals. The ancient Pagan Romans decorated trees with
bits of metal and replicas of their god, Bacchus (a fertility
god). They placed 12 candles on the tree in honor of their sun
god. The mid-winter festival of Saturnalia started on
December-17 and often lasted until a few days after the
Solstice. So many underlying cultish facts still remain alive
and well within our Christian Holiday Season and perpetuates the
Holiday Season's Merry-Go-Round...
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and
the Government shall be upon His shoulder; and His Name shall be
called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty Elohim, The Everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His Government
and Peace there shall be no end, upon the Throne of David, and
upon his Kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with Judgment
and with Justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of
Elohim of Hosts will perform this." Isaiah 9:6-7.
... We as Christian Believer's need to continually look upon our
lives and faithfully reflect upon the purposes of YaHWeH (God)
in and through it all! We are all growing from faith to faith
and from glory to glory. Sometimes we just have to stay off
certain merry-go-rounds the world has to offer. Sometimes we
have to slow down the merry-go-round we have jumped up onto.
Sometimes we have to ask a friend to help us actually stop the
merry-go-round altogether. Whatever place we may find ourselves
on this Holiday Merry-Go-Round, know that we still have a choice
in our participation to whatever extent and likewise it's
consequences in after effects.
The Holy Spirit, in much prayerful inspiration, can help us to
decide in changing, a little or a lot. The Holy Spirit will not
lead us in dizzying circles, or take us on some other
purposeless ride. With great love and divine interest in our
total well being, The Holy Spirit will always lead us toward the
mark of our high calling with Yahshua (Jesus).
Take a precious moment this Holiday Season and find your peace
and your pleasure in Yahshua (Jesus), first-most before
everything else. This is one Holiday Gift you can personally
share with everyone else this Holiday Season with a lasting
value that will far supersede anything the Holiday Season's
Merry-Go-Round can ever offer.
tgy © C.L. Mareydt d23
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