On Christ and Happiness

Especially around joyful holy days like Christmas, Christians tend to forget that, first, unbelievers can feel quite happy and fulfilled without Jesus in their lives—and second, that believers can still face troubles; Jesus doesn't always chose to remove them.

Our happiness on earth isn't why Jesus came!  Rather, God knew we needed rescuing from a danger we couldn't yet see—a pit that we'll fall into after this life if we don't ask Jesus to bridge the gap our willfulness has made between us and God, a rescue which is made possible by Jesus' death and resurrection.

Although humanity's eternal safety is Jesus' priority, that's not to say that He doesn't also bring happiness, salvation, and "peace on earth."  Having Jesus as our eternal savior does give us a joy and a peace that the happiest unbeliever can't imagine!  But that happiness isn't based on circumstances.  Rather, He gives us a different perspective; He makes us a new creation, transforming our nature to better resemble His.  We are saved from slavery to the world and to our own passions (though slave habits can be hard to break).  In addition, people can often point to other, specific things God saves them from here and now: alcohol, fear, grudges, a disease, a natural disaster, etc.

I suppose these observations of mine boil down to Jesus' words that "'In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world'" (John 16:33).  Thanks be to God, and Merry Christmas!

On Winter—with Haiku

        Although snow teased us as early as October this year, just yesterday the air felt so comfortably warm that I shed my jacket in the afternoon! Unfortunately, winter reasserted itself last night with a cold front that dropped the temperature below 0 degrees Celsius, and then mocked us further by adding a freezing drizzle and a strengthened breeze.  (Despite this, I still just saw a student walk outside wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops. Incomprehensible!)

       Despite the recalcitrant weather, much can be—and has been—said in favor of winter and the cold: 

• "It helps one appreciate the other seasons more." 
• "If it didn't get cold, we wouldn't know the joys of hot drinks and piles of blankets."
• "The earth needs to rest up for spring."
• "We have fewer dangerous or annoying critters and bugs around."
• "Winter reminds us of our mortality."
• "Winter helps us practice our faith in eventual renewal and new life."
• "Snow is beautiful."
• "Snow forts!  Winter sports!"
• "Christmas traditions!  Generous spirits!"

       
        Etc., etc.  But in such an wretchedly chilly season, I find poetry of winter interests me more than prosaic praises of the same.  Haiku, in particular, seem an eminently suitable form since their content is often seasonal to begin with.  On that note, I hope you enjoy my poetic efforts and commentary below:

plaintive eyes—

frozen water bowl

stuck to the porch

        Most readers will sympathize with the frustrating problem of an immobile, frozen bowl, but I like when the meaning of a haiku such as this is a little ambiguous and when more than one interpretation may be accurate.  This could imply, for instance, that an animal wants water, that a person wants another to un-stick the bowl, or that someone wants the heavens to warm up the world.

 

stargazing

at the Milky Way—

what is Man…?

        Stargazing isn't strictly a winter occupation, but with such long nights and often clear skies, it does seem suitable.   

 

reaching for

Orion’s belt—

it wouldn’t fit anyway

        A haiku prompt regarding celestial bodies made me contemplate several ideas related to reaching for the stars when, in one of those odd leaps the brain sometimes makes, Aesop's sour grapes fable came to mind, resulting in the previous haiku.

“celebrating"

Christmas for three months running—

stuffed ad nauseam

        Literally and figuratively!

avoiding the stores:

shameless consumerism

and scarce word of Christ

        Suitable for Christmas and Easter both, ne?

glass nativity—

God's plan to save 

our souls

        I like the implied comparison of this poem, as well as its extended metaphor: Glass may be transparent, but one can't see what's inside it unless one looks past the exterior.  Where are you looking this Christmas season?




         If you have any prosaic or poetic words of your own about winter, feel free to add them in the comments below!