[Previous entry: "Christmas Eve"] [Next entry: "Ruth"]

12/25/2003: "Morning Has Broken"

What appears to be the most casual is sometimes the most formal. Our Christmas morning service is widely advertised a a "come as you are" affair, casual dress, pick-your-own-hymns, no ushers, no offering; a holiday gathering of the relaxing faithful. But underneath, the service has its own rigid structure to which it must adhere -- a structure which the extended family most attached to the service enforces, with kindly authority. It originated, years ago, as a truely informal gahtering of some folks and a pastor. But repetition imposes its own order, and this scene has been repeated twenty times or more, with the same cast of characters. We sing, we welcome the out-of-towners, we show off our favorite gifts, and then we go home. It's fun, and it's my one chance to be one of the gang, but make no mistake: it's formal.