It's a message you don't hear every day.
Christmas is for grumps.
When I consider some of the favorite stories that we watch and listen to each year many of them include characters who are worried, or selfish. Angry, or rude.
Take the Grinch. Scrooge. George Bailey. All of the other reindeer. Then as events unfold, he or she swivels in the direction of hope and generosity.
I suppose we could come up with a condensed version of such tales, and skip the turmoil entirely.
"Little green man joins the Whos for singing on Christmas morning."
"Wealthy businessman gives his only employee a raise."
"Small town loan management company passes their annual audit."
It appears that uncertainty amplifies the joy on Christmas morning. In a recent production of a modern day Christmas Carol , which I saw five times, I found myself crying when Bobby Cratchit sang over Timmy's grave. Would this small child overcome his health struggles?
To be fair, the real Christmas story is thick with doubt. Joseph wonders whether to take Mary to be his wife. The wise men travel through unknown lands to find the King. The shepherds cannot be sure what they will find when they hasten through the darkness to Bethlehem.
It seems that the miracle of God's birth is earmarked for those who feel far from deserving. They are the ones who really need it.
