On the Observance of Christmas and Other Holiday Thoughts:

Straight AheadIt goes without saying that Christmas is increasingly being de-Christianized, even here in the U.S. The TV specials hardly ever have anything to do with the religious aspects of the season. They usually have nice little stories about people getting along with each other, practicing forgiveness, showing forbearance. As a side-note, wealthy people or businessmen are usually shown as evil, greedy sorts who sometimes find the true spirit of Christmas in giving away all their wealth and deciding to live like pawpers the rest of their lives. (Ok, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the picture.) I don't worry too much about the over-commercialization of Christmas. Obviously, some people spend money they can't afford; but that's their decision. If I were a businessman--even a Christian businessman--I'd certainly hope that I made a good profit during the Christmas season, especially if I were a retailer. No, what bothers me about Christmas is that we've taken Christ out of it. The question is one of balance. Christmas gifts are fine. If people are led to engage in more charity at Christmas, or if they want to practice some kind of "alternative Christmas," I have no problem with that--so long as they don't condemn the rest of us for giving gifts to friends and loved ones. I have no problem though with people who observe Christmas in the traditional way, so longas the top priority, the most important thing, is Christ! We have to remember the real reason we do all this. If we do that, we'll be more likely to keep from giving insincere gifts just to impress people. We will perhaps be less likely to get ourselves so wrapped up in social obligations and will take more time to reflect upon the actual meaning of Christmas--which is the birth of Christ, God Incarnate, who came to "save His people from their sins." In addition, if we would spend more time reflecting on Christ, God's gift to us, we would be less likely to be depressed by thoughts of happier times, and would be more likely to minister to people for whom Christmas can be a very depressing time. The message of Christmas is one that should transcend all our sorrows, problems, and fears and anxieties. The false cheer and superficial good will that surround Christmas make it very hard for those who are troubled by grief, deprivation, sickness, or disability truly to join in the celebration. They feel left out. If we keep the focus on the real reason for the season, we allow the suffering to experience true liberation. Christ is the Saviour. He has overcome the world. There are always those people who say, ""Christmas is for children." Well, I want children to be happy as much as the next person; but that statement isn't true. Christmas isn't just for children. Christmas is for Christians--and it's time the Christians take it back! Merry Christ mas! Happy New Year!

Federal Judge Ruling on Size of Money and Discrimination Against the Blind--and Making Life more "Normal?" for the Blind:

I've never been an activist regarding the rights of the disabled.  In fact, I'm usually thought that court cases and other whining about discrimination against the blind and other disability groups were either unnecessary or were doing the cause of independence more harm than good. Readers of this blog will note that I rarely mention my blindness.     On the other hand, I've never thought of my blindness as just an "inconvenience."  It's a lot more than an inconvenience!

 

So it has been with mixed emotions that I've watched the debate over the years about the size of currency and the possible discrimination against the blind.  After all, totally blind citizens make up an extremely small percentage of the American population; and I don't expect the rest of the world to spend its time catering to every minority group known to man.

 

Now, a federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Treasury discriminates against the blind because all of the paper currency feels exactly the same.  There is no way that a blind person can distinguish among the various denominations of paper currency.  What I didn't know is that, according to the ruling issued on November 28, of more than 180 countries that issue paper currency, the United States is the only one that does not have some features to help blind people distinguish various denominations of paper currency.  

 

The government says that making any kind of change will be costly and could make the bills more susceptible to counterfeiters.  Corporate  interests argue that such changes could have an impact on the vending business. (Somehow, such arguments, based as they are on pragmatism rather than legal considerations don't seem very impressive or relevant.//FONT>

 

When I am dealing with paper money, I have ways of telling the bills apart, once a sighted person, usually my wife Lydia, helps me separate them.  I put the $1 bills and the $10 in different compartments of my wallet.  I fold the $5 bills differently from the $20.  And in those rare cases where I get to deal with $50 or $100 bills, I can make similar arrangements.  (One can always make arrangements for dealing with $50 and $100 bills easily enough, I would think.)  But of course, I have to have someone tell me the denominations first before I can make these arrangements.

 

It is interesting how the world is increasingly trying to make life more "normal" for the blind.  I have just bought a talking color identifier that will distinguish 150 different shades of color.   . I have also bought a talking computerized Bible.  Talking bill identifiers do exist, but they are fairly expensive and would make sense only for a blind business operator.  

 

My first impulse is to hail yesterday's ruling as a dramatic step forward for independence of the blind; but I want to keep an open mind.  There may be legitimate arguments on the other side of which I'm unaware.  Besides, the ruling may well be appealed, which could drag out the process for years.  In addition, with such a large amount of U.S. currency in circulation, finding a feasible way to meet the legitimate concerns of the blind could be quite difficult.  So I'm not counting my dollars before they hatch.  I am, however, rethinking my attitude toward discrimination and independence issues.  And I must admit that I would dearly love to be able to count my own money without help from any sighted person.  A sighted person is not always readily available to help with this task.  And being a Calvinist who believes quite firmly in original sin and total depravity, I am reluctant to trust the good faith of every stranger with whom I come into contact.

 

Seriously, this could be a great breakthrough moment for the blind; but for now, let's just say that the jury is still out.

 

     

Straight ahead!  See my blog at:   www.noblindbluff.blogspot.com

First Sunday in Advent, Year C, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13:

Straight AheadThis is an exciting time of the Christian year, as we move into Advent, thus beginning a new preaching cycle for those of us who follow the lectionary, and nearing the time of Christmas and New Year's--not to mention the beginning of the month of December. We need to remember that the festivals and liturgies of the church year are not of divine origin. For instance, yesterday, many mainline Protestants celebrated Christ the King Sunday. This liturgical innovation only goes back to the late nineteenth century when a Catholic Pope decided it would be a good way to remind the people of Europe, struggling as they were with national competition, the emergence of new kings and national identities, that Christ alone is ultimately the King. The Sunday for this celebration was not finally fixed until some time in the 1940's. Of course, Advent has a longer history, going back at least 1500 years. Still, if we allow the church traditions and trappings to supercede our biblical understanding and worship, we could dishonor the Protestant Reformation and the commitment of men like Luther and Calvin to the authority of Scripture. On the other hand, designing and following lectionaries has a long tradition, even going back into the Old Testament. So I do not eschew lectionaries or necessarily liturgical celebrations; but I do not follow them slavishly. I realize that these are the traditions of men, and not sacrosanct; and I realize that the early Protestants and those of the reformed faith looked with a wary eye upon such liturgical rituals. They would not have had Advent wreaths, candles, and the like; and I question the value of some of those things today--though we will have both in our church during Advent. As to our epistle lesson, Paul is giving thanks for the love and faithfulness of the Christians in Thessalonica. These people give the apostle great joy. He desires to see them again shortly. He wants to continue the work of teaching and nurturing them in the faith. He prays that they will increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all people. He prays that they will be established in holiness before the coming of Christ with all the saints. There was definitely a sense of urgency in this epistle. Paul says he prayed "night and day" for these people. Some scholars believe that Paul was anticipating the coming of the Lord during his lifetime. It is certain that many of these early Christians thought such to be the case. When we read this passage in the context of Advent therefore, it is important to ask ourselves what we believe about the "Second Coming" of Christ. Are we expectant? Do we realize that the present life that we know could end at any moment, or have we lost the sense of urgency so vital for a dynamic church? Are we complacent, dull, perhaps even bored, regarding our Christian commitment? Most of us don't like waiting; but waiting in anticipation can be exciting! It is sometimes exhilarating to wait in anticipation for a special day, a special event, a wonderful trip or a grand celebration! As we wait for Advent, it can be a time of purifying, of taking stock. If we have stumbled in the past, we know that by God's grace and the help of His Spirit, we can do better in the days to come. If our churches are places of hope, refuge, and love, we know that even then, we can do better. These Thessalonians gave Paul much joy; but still, he desired to provide what was lacking in their faith. Are we striving to complete what is lacking in our faith? Are we eager to be ready for Christ's coming afresh into our lives during the Advent and Christmas season? It is time to shake off the lethargy, the complacency, to grow in love for each other and for all those who need to see the love of Christ. Perhaps it is time for a fresh Advent of Christ in your life!