I hope this will be a bit of a mix of message and humour, at least I hope it works that way. We all, hopefully, know the context of the term “P’s and Q’s” as socially appropriate forms of behaviour.
To start at the last first, the letter “Q”, this part is more about Queues rather than “Q words”. Most of us know the Xmas queue it is one of the most avoided bits of the three weeks leading up to December 25th. It isn’t just shopping where we queue is even there before we get to the shops, we even queue to park in many places. My older son was flabbergasted this year when he got all his shopping done in less than two hours and had no problems finding parking.
What about the queues at Christmas? Well history tells us that at the time of Jesus birth there was a census being taken right through the region where He was going to be born. Both the historical record, via a Jewish historian, and the accounts in the Gospels agree: Jesus was born in a period of high people movement. So the queues during the original Christmas would have been for accommodation and food and the person’s registration at the Census taker. The birth of a baby excited only a few people around Bethlehem and apart from nobility from afar the only ones who heard the news were some shepherds out guarding the sheep; people of no rank to visit a King of the highest rank.
The Ps of Xmas
Rather than make this an exhaustive list, I plan to select three P’s from both celebrations. For the Xmas side of the occasion they are “Position, Present, and Price” without attempting to appear cynical they seem to represent the standout elements that characterise the season.
Position may be first in order before the others because the position you occupy enables you to purchase the present at a price commensurate with you position, and also your familial position will often dictate the gift you receive and where you sit at the table.
Present is a thing that starts to stir the imagination of retailers up to 3 months out from December when plans are laid for what people will buy for December 25. As the jingles build up so the fire increases in customer’s considerations and thought turn to the gifts to buy for family, and those who are special to the customer. Finally as the evidence that Xmas has arrived, usually heralded by that larger than life Santa Claus’ in stores the recipients of our love and affection begin to wonder what “Santa” will bring.
Price, finally, is the measure by which we gauge our capacity to express that love and affection that seems to flow over the last week of December. I heard a comment on the news recently where parents were expected to spend around $300.00 per child this Xmas.
The P’s of Christmas
The three P’s of Christmas are “Peace, Providence, and Patience”. They tend to hark back to that original event.
Peace, was an historic characteristic of the period, due to the Roman Legion having subjugated the area, mostly, and by the descriptions of the event it also was peace filled.
Providence, is related to the “seeming” poor timing on God’s part, but the fact is that He missed nothing. Had Jesus birth been any time, other that at the time of the census, the child’s birth may have been more significant. He was born in the middle of a human maelstrom where there is no room anywhere except a stable that the Father provided.
Patience, again is a characteristic of God. Jesus birth was not rushed, it was thoroughly thought out and as Paul put it
“But when the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him. His Son obeyed the Law, so he could set us free from the Law, and we could become God's children.” Gal 4.4,5
For me this is the most special difference, Christmas is about God acting on our behalf by introducing Jesus into our environment, but with Xmas we have begun trying to turn a God event into a celebration without God’s Son.
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