May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
-Romans 15:5

Holly and Jolly. Two words that don’t belong together.

But every year, Burl Ives belts out the classic tune and reminds us that Christmas is “the best time of the year”.

Holly is a pointy plant you could actually cut yourself on. The name means “to prick” or “to stab”. Ancient European pagans believed it could ward off evil spirits.

Later, Christians realized that the green plant reminded them of Jesus’ crown of thorns, and the red berries were like the blood of Christ. So they co-opted it for their end-of-year time of repentance.

On the other hand…

The word “Jolly” is an old French word that means festive, maybe slightly drunk, or even lusty! Think spiked egg nogg and a white elephant game with questionable gifts.

So, put them together and you get…

“Have a lusty, slightly drunk, yet festive commemoration of the death of Christ!“

Wow. Write that on your Christmas cards!

Even if we use the words in their more contemporary sense, they don’t exactly fit. “Holly” points to Jesus, and “Jolly” points to Santa.

Which way do you point this time of year? Towards the secular or the sacred?

For me, the “war on Christmas” ended in a draw a long time ago. I do both. The reflective, spiritual part, and the festive, merry-making part.

I think it’s perfectly acceptable to celebrate some cultural traditions even as I hold dearly to my faith traditions.

Maybe those words can fit together after all.

This Saturday, my church is holding it’s annual Living Nativity. 700 people will be coming to the church to experience the typical cast of characters gathered around the manger. They’ll see real life donkeys and camels, and of course, Baby Jesus. It’s a vivid reminder of Emmanuel, God with us.

But that’s not all. There will be hot cocoa, and s’mores, and activities for kids. We’ll give out inflatable decorations as door prizes. And way down at the other end of the building?

Santa’s winter wonderland.

Yep, we do it all. The whole Christmas experience. The holly and the jolly. And somehow, the whole event avoids feeling like a mixed metaphor.

Paul reminds us to seek harmony as we lift our voices to proclaim Christ. (He did not mention Saint Nick, but hey–at least he was a Saint.) For me, it’s just not that hard to contemplate Mary and Joseph and add in a dose of Rudolph and Frosty.

I’m not sure Paul would be on board with “Grandma Got Runover by A Reindeer”, but he always was kind of a fuddy duddy.

Be on the lookout for the Good News of Christ among us–it may be hiding in even the most secular song you sing. When you hear it, add your voice to the chorus!

The true meaning of Christmas can show up where you least expect it. But don’t take it from me…

listen to the talking snowman.

Have a great week,

Mitch