Last night my family and I went to see Normal Community West High School’s rendition of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. This nostalgic story of love, hope, and the goodness of mankind warms the heart and reignites one’s faith in humanity. My 14-year-old niece Katherine was a member of the cast. We were so very proud of her performance, and were delighted for her to be a part of this classic story of Christmas kindheartedness.
White Christmas Tradition
Tradition and Nostalgia were once the fibers that made up an American Christmas. The White Christmas that Irving Berlin portrayed (circa 1954) resonated with most Americans, in part because their home-life, and their neighbor’s home-lives were similar.
In 1954, Eisenhower was president, most Americans considered themselves lucky if they could afford to own a television, and the divorce rate was a mere 21%.
Christmas morning in the 50’s meant most kids lived in a 2-parent household with dad as the sole breadwinner and mom taking care of the house.
A Different White Christmas
With the avalanche of modern technology and the morphing of the definition of a family, most American households now have 2.86 television sets, (plus multiple tablets and smartphones,) and the current divorce rate is 50%.
If Berlin were to write an updated version of White Christmas (Circa 2016) he would no doubt have to amend the storyline somewhat to reflect today’s culture and families.
The CHRIST of Christmas
What is comforting to me is that no matter how much our lives or our culture changes, Jesus Christ stays the same. He was what He was in 1954 the same as He is today.
His word says in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
And Malachi 3:6 says, “I am the Lord, I change not…”
God’s unchanging, steady hand gives me hope and brings me great peace that no matter what is happening in the world today, the CHRIST of Christmas is watching over my family and our future. And he will do the same for you and yours.
As I watched my niece Katherine and her fellow cast members, I couldn’t help but think about their futures. Their hopes. Their dreams. Their families. They were so extremely talented. (Sidebar: As an avid theatre goer in the Chicago area, I have seen great talent, and these highschoolers blew me away. Kudos to the directors Ryan Kerr and Ellie Marvin and their staff.)
No doubt by the time these young people are old enough to be sitting in the audience watching their own children perform the world will be very different than it is today.
My prayer for them, as it is for you, is that they will get to know the true CHRIST of Christmas and discover the joy and safety that comes with holding to His unchanging steady hand. He never changes. He can be trusted. Invite Christ into your Christmas today. I promise you wont be disappointed.
Merry CHRISTmas
