Too Close for Comfort

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

Lately I feel as though I’m attracting some really bizarre situations. Everything from the homeless man that disrupted Mass after chugging the entire chalice of wine, to the literal miracle that took place last Sunday, and now to tonight’s caper…for some reason, weird stuff seems to follow me wherever I go.

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OK – Back to the Post
One of my favorite things to do in NYC around Christmas time is to take a walk around dusk. Right when it’s beginning to get dark.

It’s the most beautiful time of the year, in my opinion, because you can see all the Christmas trees twinkling in the windows. And there’s just something about feeling the crisp air on your cheeks and looking at all the buildings and seeing the warm glow of a Christmas tree that really makes it feel special.

Well, last week, walking along, I began to realize that literally every apartment window – I’m not joking, I’m talking 93% of the windows had Christmas trees in them. It was so beautiful! I had Kenny G in my ears playing “O Holy Night” on the saxophone and seeing the Christmas beauty coming from the windows, I was struck by how what’s going on inside of people’s homes is nowhere to be found outside of them. At least in NYC.

I’ve been really struck recently by how un-Christmassy it’s felt. Sure, “Christmas” is still the holiday that is on the 25th that we’re all gearing up for, but it’s “Christmas” in name only. Otherwise it’s just a season of comsumer-driven hustle and bustle.

Case and point, the annual iconic Union Square Christmas market – which has always had red-and-white striped tents – has changed this year, and is now green and yellow.

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I mean, not that that really matters, but it just goes to show the secularization of the season. Which, is nothing new, obviously. I wasn’t born yesterday.

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But given the un-Christmas vibe in the city, you’d think it’d be full of Grinches and Scrooges.

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So I was shocked – literally shocked – by the overwhelming display of Christmas, shining from the windows of every New York apartment.

And I had been mulling over that juxtaposition all weekend, knowing that I was going to incorporate that theme into tonight’s post: about how we need to take our private beliefs and take Christmas to the streets.

BUT THEN…

Sunday happened.

So I’m sitting in Mass. It’s the evening. It had been snowing for the last 10 hours. And the church had about, oh… 50-60 people in it. Pathetic showing if you ask me, but that’s a topic for a different day.

Anyways, it comes to the end of Mass. And as is customary, there’s the blessing followed by the “send-off” song. The priest blesses us, says have a great night, the song starts, he processes out, then the people dash out the door. Capiesh?

Well. Tonight, right in the middle of the blessing – in dead silence – this man – who had been sitting just across the aisle from me the entire service – stands up on his chair, and in a big booming voice, starts shouting at the congregation, and at the priest. He’s like yelling about how Christianity is a fake religion and that the priest was “hiding behind the robes” and just all of this really outrageous stuff.

It was honestly one of the most bizarre and, quite honestly terrifying, moments I’ve had, definitely at church, if not in my life. He had this black duffle bag with him, and I was afraid he was going to pull out a weapon or something. But he didn’t.

He was just aggressively ranting.

And the priest couldn’t get him to stop. He told the singer to start the song – the man continued to shout over the vocalist. The priest processed out – and the man then followed the priest – trailing him and continuing to shout at him.

The priest – as the Brooklyn native he was – led the man outside, and on the church steps – in his purple advent vestment – told the man to scram. I’ll let you imagine his exact wording, but let’s just say, it worked.

But gosh. What a freakin experience.

Walking home from church that night, a bit shaken up, I found myself, again, gazing at all the Christmas trees in the windows.

And I thought to myself, now there was a guy who was not keeping “his Christmas tree” hidden.

He was clearly not afraid to make his beliefs known. And not that we should adopt his tactics, but what a juxtaposition.

His one voice was literally able to drown out an entire congregation.

What does that say about us? What does that say about the health of our faith?

That man was literally not afraid to derail an entire church congregation and aggressively make his beliefs known. And yet, we’re terrified to say a measly “Merry Christmas” to the checkout lady at the grocery store?

If nothing else, he was bold.

The reason that man said what he did, is because he could.

My question is: what are we going to do about it?

Because if you’ve got a Christmas tree up in your home, what’s stopping you from living that way outside your four walls?

It’s time to open the door and let Christmas out.

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Because if we don’t, I’m afraid it simply won’t survive. At least not in a way that is beyond a marketing gimmick and commercialized spending spree.

The “other side” is clearly not backing down. Neither can we.

It’s our move.

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167 thoughts on “Too Close for Comfort”

  2. Great message girl! We live in Ohio and at one point our city was referred to as “ holy Toledo” due to a sarcastic outlook of gangs at the time. The recent years our little city has readopted this nickname of “Holy Toledo” defining it as a place where God’s children are dwelling. Our new slogan is “you’ll do better in Toledo”. I’m thankful we are still full of Christmas Decor in our mall and around our city. It’s always nice to be the first to wish a Merry Christmas since some stores aren’t allowing employees to be the first to say it!

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    1. Thanks so much Chelsea! I’m from Ohio and i’ve actually never been to Toledo. Sounds like that needs to change! Thanks for sharing that!! big hugs to you x

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  3. There are probably more Christians in Africa and China today than there are in our Western societies. We’ve exchanged Christ for our god of materialism. People feel they are self-sufficient and don’t need the God that builds worlds and incarnated in order to understand us and provide us a way of escape to a better world in time. How sad we prefer the ultimate goal of hell to heaven in today’s secular society. Eventually our own choices will take us where we choose to head. You are right in your observation that the tree inside the home doesn’t substitute for a kindness on the streets of our Western cities. If we demonstrated the spirit of Christmas perhaps there wouldn’t be such a jaundiced view of what Christianity represents in today’s world.

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    1. Oh wow, that is a startling static. Sadly, you’re right about that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this Ian, I always appreciate hearing your perspective. big hugs xo

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  5. Sometimes the most ardent critics of the Church are either misinformed, or making a cry for help.

    Years back the church which was “home” to our youth group had a whole heap of trouble with kids running around on the roof during the services.

    The church leaders went on to befriend the chief of the troublemakers. In a short period of time his life was changed, and he eventually went on to become a full time vicar!

    Long, long ago a certain “Saul” sought to disrupt and even destroy the early church, his ranting and raving stopped on the Damascus Road.

    Standing in a church service where someone is going crazy, and has a rucksack could indeed be worrying, but in God’s eyes we have (or are) in rebellion. That’s why Jesus came to save sinners just like me.

    Sometimes working things out is tough, but for those who have “come in from the cold” and not been brought up in a Christian environment the transition may involve kicking and screaming.

    https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+5&version=TLB

    Have a great Christmas.

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    1. thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. Yes, I think there are a lot of people crying for help out there. I pray that we can recognize and help them. Thanks for sharing that link. Hugs and love xox

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  8. I like to read about people living in alignment with spirit and faith, as you are determined to do. I am however confused and a bit dismayed by your “other side” remark. It seems important not to conflate the wishing of “happy holidays” with some manner of anti-Christianity. My husband is Jewish, and those who know so wish him a Happy Hanukkah, just as he say Merry Christmas to people he knows are Christian. For people who don’t know one another, Happy Holidays includes everyone in the fundamental goodwill and gratitude that mark the season. Rather than a matter of sides being taken, we can embrace the opportunity to spread the good intentions of an open and loving heart, no matter what spiritual tradition (or moral conviction) those good ways arise from.

    Also, so glad everyone at your church is safe. Merry Christmas !

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    1. Thank you so much Nichole. That’s a really great point. I guess my remark came out not as I had meant it. I meant the “other side” more as the darkness that is trying to squelch the light. Definitely not people of the Jewish faith or other religions. I personally believe that there is good to be found in every religion, and even though the specific beliefs may be different, that the themes of love and joy and coming together for the good of others — those themes can unite people of all different faiths and should be celebrated! 🙂 Yeah, I’m sorry that my remark came across in a different way. Yes! Let’s spread the good! So glad you stopped by and thanks again for sharing this wonderful perspective! big hugs xox

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      1. I appreciate your clarification – I do very much believe that caring creates unity. I’d also like to say that it’s important that all well intentioned people look for good intentions in others. In the same way I hope that “Happy Holidays” isn’t seem as an affront or a danger, nor should “Merry Christmas” be taken that way by those who practice different traditions. I always say “Thank you, Merry Christmas to you, and Happy Holidays.” (/or Happy Hanukkah.”) That way, the tidings and good will are returned in both the communal and individual ways, coexisting in the positive.

        Cheers!

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  9. Well, you’ve recognized it accurately: it’s consumerism not Christmas any more.
    Jesus was never born this date, celebration was changed to meet the more popular “barbarian” tradition – purely not a faith-driven decision but a political one.

    I do love those young ones, who rather asks the parents to go out and help people in need instead of getting gifts. That is one of the best part among the USA and its people.

    On the other hand, how could anyone celebrate anything, up until people starve, children die in malnutrition – and no, it is not because they are lazy or because they are not ‘Christian’.

    I bet, if Jesus was here on Earth these days, he would be troubled to see how His message was changed and altered.

    It is great to give, make a present, thinking of someone. Yet, the extent of it serves these days someone else, not God…

    Have a Blessed Day!

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    1. Thanks friend. Yeah, there is definitely a lot to think and pray about during this time of year, that’s for sure. I love the giving spirit of the holiday, though 🙂 big hugs to you xo

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  10. You ask some great questions in this post. I have experienced a similar scenario in a church I used to work for, and didn’t consider it from the same perspective. Thanks for the thoughts. (If you want to jump in on an OSFGroup, I’m pretty sure you’d get some great dialogue going! :-D)

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  11. Triple B,

    Your report about the fellow who ranted during mass reminds me of several instances where Jesus confronts impure spirits. They shriek (like that man) and then are scattered into the wilderness by Jesus (like what your priest did).

    I think you are being too hard on yourself if you believe your response is weak. It doesn’t take any real effort to be destructive like the man was. It is easy to disrupt. Shouting only requires a loose tongue and lack of intellect. It takes much more courage to witness evil, remain strong and be able to write about it. You have prayer, he has ranting. Persons putting Christmas lights out on their windows IS expressing faith. It IS telling people ‘Merry Christmas’.

    You are a strong, young lady deep and rich in faith, love, and compassion. Keep your course.

    Go in peace, serve The Lord.

    Janis.

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    1. Hi Janis, thank you so much for your kind words. And that’s a great point. The window decorations are a statement in themselves! Hugs and love xox

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  12. Excellent post. How true that we are so afraid to speak out less we be perceived as not tolerant or PC. I can’t imagine how scary that must have been when you saw the man had a duffel bag. I love that thought “take Christmas to the streets.”

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  13. Very interesting. I definitely agree that there is a lot more faith practiced in private than public life would lead you to believe. I think most people start out from a background of faith and are shamed and silenced by the ruling class who control the media, fashions, and trends. Why? Because people with worldly power feel threatened by Christians. They can’t control us through flattery, bribery, or threats, so they try to control us through shame and ostracism. I agree with you wholeheartedly–let’s be the first to point out that the Emperor has no clothes on. More people will agree than we think.

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  14. I suppose that the ranting man received the reward that he desired, casting a shadow on the service. I applaud the priest for leading the man outside the sanctuary of Peace to where cacophony tends to reign. I trust that you will continue in your new quest to bring the light of that sanctuary out to illuminate the streets. The “other side” may not back down but in the continued presence of Light, they may begin to bow down.

    Pax,
    jbt

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  15. his voice and demeanor are indicative of the times. He seeks truth, and he is frustrated that he can’t find it. Everything bad happens when a man feels his voice no longer matters. Great post, as always

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  16. Fearless conversation.

    Sometimes I wonder how the story would end if the Church responded in love and honor instead of dismissal. It’s like we’re more concerned for the comfort of the ones already in the fold than those wandering around out in the dark, ‘bah-ing’ their loudest baah’s.

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