Tuesday, December 12, 2023
“Christmas Geek”
Am I a Christmas Geek? Ouch, those words hurt. When I was in school, “Geek” wasn’t a label anyone wanted! Considered an insult then, I now hear the word used frequently in a more positive context. One of my colleagues uses that term quite often about themselves, me, and a few others. In honor of my desire to convey accurate information, I Googled the word “Geek”, so that I could provide an accurate definition. According to my search results, “Geek” refers to someone who is obsessively interested in a particular subject, especially if the subject is obscure or technical.
I shouldn’t have done that. Now, I know I’m a Geek and it has nothing to do with my new Star Wars T-shirt that I just received as a Christmas gift (and wore for three days in a row). According to my newly discovered information, I qualify as a Geek in the following subjects: Theology, Archeology, Church, John Wayne, World War 2 films and History, and of course, Star Wars. But when it comes to Christmas, everything else takes a back seat.
I don’t know why or where I obtained the obsessive interest of the Holidays. I’ve been hanging Christmas lights (excessively) for my entire adult life. I start listening to Christmas music as soon as Sirius/XM channels emerge (early November). I’ll often leave my decorations up for the full twelve days AFTER Christmas, citing my theological knowledge of Epiphany as my excuse. I write daily Advent devotions, not because it is expected, but because I enjoy it. The television and computer are tuned to Christmas-related films, shows, and music, for the entire Season.
During the Holidays, I also break lots of old, theological rules. I expect to sing Christmas carols during worship as soon as Thanksgiving concludes (no Advent songs, please). On Christmas Eve, I’ll read from the King James Version because I think everyone wants Baby Jesus to wear “Swaddling Clothes”, even though I know it’s archeologically incorrect.
Somehow, I’ve rationalized that Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter should dominate my personal and vocational landscape. I’m a Christmas Geek, for sure. Am I proud of it? Not really, but I am thankful. Several Chapel visitors have recently expressed that The Chapel is helping them experience Christmas this year, both inside and out. That makes me smile because I think that’s the secret purpose for all Christmas Geeks: To help others find joy in the Holiday Season.
Are you a Christmas Geek? I know for certain that several of you are Christmas Geeks. I know this because I’ve seen you decorate, heard you sing, and sweated alongside you while hanging lights. I’ve seen your smile and witnessed your greeting to both friends and guests, alike.
If this is new information to you, and especially if you are realizing that you, too, are a Christmas Geek, please know this: You are not alone. There are lots of us and we’ll be here until the first week of January, hanging lights, listening to Christmas Carols, reading the Christmas story, watching Christmas shows, and wondering if next Christmas could ever be as great as this one. Yes, this is a good one. The bar has been raised high by all of us Christmas Geeks. But as good as it seems it will be, the best is yet to come – not because of the Geeks but because of the Author of Christmas. God has even more in store and each of us can be a part of sharing the joy with others!
“Blessed be God—he heard me praying. He proved he’s on my side; I’ve thrown my lot in with him. Now I’m jumping for joy, and shouting and singing my thanks to him.” (Psalm 28:6-7, The Message)