The Orthodox and Catholic churches both practice a tradition of
Icons*. These Icons, to the outsider seem nothing more than esoteric
paintings of dead, but apparently important Christians in history, the
things that line the walls of museums, or cathedrals and give a nice
atmosphere. 

To those who understand them, they are much more than that. Believe it
or not, each Christmas season you practice something much like these
Christian traditions use Icons!

Icons are "written" as reminders, God with us. Where most
paintings, and photographs have perspective that draw us, the viewer,
into the frame, Icons are written with perspective that draws the
painting outward, with the viewer. Thus, the written image is with us,
the audience. (Now you can impress people at cocktail parties with that
information. You'll thank me, and yes, you're welcome.)

Why is that significant?

Well, the purpose of Icons is to be the physical presesnce to the invisible "cloud of witnesses",
the community of Christians that span across time and history. The
individuals portrayed are often martyrs, those who died for the faith;
saints, who's example and contributions have enriched the faith; they
can also portray Christ, the very presence of "God with us". We are not alone in our devotion to Christ. We are members of a fantastic, rich family.

Icons help us worship God. The Christians with us in Icons share stories, memories from Christian history that are meaningful to remember how God continues to work on earth in ways great and humble. They mean to elicit prayer: praise, adoration, supplication, confession, thanksgiving all to God who has never left us alone.

They are not worshiped, they are not prayed to. They are not seen as
magical. They are aids for us to experience and remember God.

So how do you and I already do something similar to using Icons?
In my last Christmas Season Thought I may have sounded somewhat
puritanical in my challenge to "take away everything in our culture
that pertains to 'Christmas' and see what remains. My intention was to
"circle the wagons" and remind us of the core of the season and suggest
that some battles aren't really worth our energy if we're striving to
be Christ's presence in our daily lives.

I love Christmas decorations as much as everyone else, probably
for much of the same reasons as everyone else. The memories, the
pleasure, the atmosphere. Surely there is more to list. With each
season and each holiday, the decorations and paraphernalia can help us
remember "the core", they are symbols of the season, they're fun and
meaningful reminders to us and others of those things that matter in
life for everyone. They can set us apart too, as a group of people with
a specific identity that is rooted in the subject of the holiday at
hand. There is nothing wrong, with any of it when its used well.

As you read that last paragraph, were any images stirred in your mind
of things that matter? Did memories come to mind that made you smile?
Did you picture ornaments or figurines that mean something or that put
you in a joyous, festive, or even sentimental, or reflective mood?

If so, you understand the significance Icons have for many Christians. 

Let's draw some parallels.

• Icons are like photos of family members joined together for Christmas celebrations.

• Icons are like the gathering of friends and family around the table, the Christmas tree, in the pew at a Christmas service.
• Icons are like ornaments that mark important milestones/events/memories throughout the year
• Icons are like Christmas lights and decoration that provide a certain atmosphere and meaning during this time of year.
• Icons are like Christmas songs and movies that communicate important messages.

Do those make sense?

So perhaps with my previous post's challenge, I add this challenge:

Make your Christmas decorations like Icons. Even more, Make your use
of time, money and the people you are with all like Icons. May they be
for you, God with us.

My prayer is that we can continue to be free to decorate each Christmas, because those things are God With us.  God is there in their beauty as much as their meaning. God is there in the unity they bring as we work to decorate, to enjoy and celebrate. God is there in the joy, the sense of hope. God is there in the tradition, the ritual. God is there in the mystery. God is there in the certainty.
(There is another side of Christmas God is also in that is very real to
many: pain, loss, loneliness... but that's the subject for next post!)

Praise be to God, who has, is and always be with us!

(Footnote:*I did my best to explain Icons as well as I understand
them. Please correct or elaborate on anything I say here that will help
me and others to understand Icons better.)