vitalwholeness

If you want a true read on the Christmas spirit, don’t listen to what people have to say about it. Watch how they treat and interact with retail staff in stores and restaurants during the season of peace and joy. That tells the tale. If you observe harshness and cruelty, then you know. If you witness kindness and understanding, then you know.

Come to think of it, that’s the true measure year-round, because kindness is the currency of love. Again, don’t listen to what people say about love. Watch where they slide on the kindness scale. Watch where we slide on the kindness scale.

Some time ago I was on a road trip and stopped at a restaurant. In the same area of the dining room a large, noisy group of maybe a dozen people were eating. They were constantly calling and cat calling the server, demanding this and that, complaining about every little thing. She could barely keep up. And at the end they didn’t even leave a tip.

My wife and I noticed, grimaced, and suffered for this person who was trying to earn a paycheck. I’m sure she would have liked to have been anywhere else than there. But sometimes you don’t get to choose. As we prepared to leave, we both approached her as she tried to keep up with the abusive table. In front of them, we thanked our server, went on and on about how fine her service was, and wished her the best evening. We also put money in her hand – in front of them – and said we left a tip on the table, but she deserved more. Then we turned and left. She was stunned, probably by the contrast with the customers at the other table. And they were stunned, too.

I repeat, don’t pay any attention to whatever cute little signs these people might have on their porches or on their car bumpers. Watch how they treat people who are in a one-down position, who are required to serve them, who, for a little while, have less power than they do.

Years ago, I was in a church and the CEO of a business invited me to tour his company operation and then go to lunch. It’s a kind of ritual that happens with clergy. As we walked out on to the floor, the executive stopped at a workstation, called an employee out on the carpet in front of me, berating and humiliating him. It was no accident that I was conspicuously present. One can only guess his motives, what this church guy was trying to prove. Perhaps to demonstrate his station and power in life, that one should take note. For whatever reason, he sadistically castigated another human being who had less power. But I tell you,  he was in his pew singing about Jesus the next Sunday.

Don’t pay any attention to what people say about faith and love. Watch how they treat other people with less power, those who are under their thumb. That’s the true story.

In fact, watch for this power differential anywhere. Watch for how people with some modicum of power treat others with less power. Listen for it in the language of politicians. Watch for it in organizations. Notice it in the supermarket aisle.

The ironic thing is that every Christmas narrative in New Testament Gospels is about this. Each and every story is some kind of commentary on power – who has it, wants it, doesn’t have it, and will kill to have it. If we read those first century stories through this lens – the lens of power and how it is wielded and used – a clear picture emerges, not only of the most common pitfalls of humanity, but the paradoxical way that sacred power overturns, undermines, and capsizes all this human clamoring for that which will collapse anyway.

Roman legions march, and babies are born in no count places. Swords slash and angels sing. Kings fight off all rivals, and the most important things of life are born among the lower classes. A radical reversal, an alternative narrative, has the power to change everything. Even when the story is covered over by the glitter of commercialism.

I’m a real proponent of the date of Orthodox Christmas – January 6. That’s because it’s not happening at the same time that cultural Christmas is. I like the idea of creeping off to some quiet, out-of-the-way grotto, where no one is presenting an extravaganza, flexing their social power, and trying to impress us. One candle will do. A story. A song about little things that make a big difference. A prayer of the heart. Less is more. Simple.

Amidst the noisy broadcasts of the world don’t listen to what they are saying. Pay attention to what they are doing. Watch for miracles of love that get born among those so enthralled with power that they very often don’t even notice.