The Emmaus Journal - "Somebody Please Stop The Merry Go Round - I Have To Get Off!"

You have permission to publish this articlelike everyone else? We all need this time to be
electronically or in print, free of charge as long as thespecial. After all, it is all biblically based and there's no
by-lines and resource box are included. A courtesyreal harm in it anyway...
copy of the publication would be appreciated sent to"Now when Yahshua (Jesus) was born in Bethlehem
the email address listed below the article. Thank You.of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there
_____________________came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying,
Article Excerpt fromWhere is he that is born King of the Jews? for we
The Emmaus Journalhave seen His Star in the East, and are come to
© C.L. Mareydt d23worship Him." St. Matthew 2:1-2
__________________________... Most certainly our Holiday traditions have become
The Emmaus Journal - "Somebody Please Stop Theso entrenched within our religious and worldly psyche,
Merry Go Round - I Have To Get Off!"that to jump off such a merry-go-round would be
'Stop, somebody please stop the merry-go-round, Iunthinkable, if not downright impossible. What on
have to get off.'earth would we do? Not have any Holiday Season?
Do those words bring back any childhood memories?Not celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, the New
I can remember that exact phrase coming out of myYear? That is just plain insane. But, like most of us
mouth as a child! I had no sooner jumped up on thehave found out as adults, we do have a choice, just
playgrounds' intoxicating and well usedlike we did as a child on the playground; to jump on
merry-go-round, then within a few turns of it'sthe merry-go-round or not. We also can realize if the
rotation, desperately wanting off. I was afraid toride is at the point of making us uncomfortable, we
jump, and dragging my feet in the worn circularcan choose to drag our feet, and slow it down, or
trench underfoot was the next best alternative;jump off, or ask for help. We can say no to all our
unless a kind hearted playmate daringly grabbed anlittle playmates that are urging us on. We can you
outside rail and forced the merry-go-round to a halt.know. Perhaps by bringing in some matured christian
Not only did I experience the dizzying effects of thesense of well being and balance, perhaps by
merry-go-round's centrifugal force, my equilibriumacknowledging the real truth and facts about all the
suffered greatly even well after the ride. But, forholidays; instead of aimlessly going along with the
some childish reason, this did not stop me, fromHoliday Merry-Go-Round ride as it goes faster and
jumping up on the merry-go-round the next time Ifaster...
went to the playground."And behold there was a man in Jerusalem, whose
Thankfully, we all grow-up and learn as we go. Iname was Simeon; and the same man was just and
personally had to avoid the merry-go-round, even atdevout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the
the gleeful beckonings of my playground friends. Yes,Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto
the playground is full of wonderful childhoodhim by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death
memories. Many of life's lessons are learned withinbefore he had seen Elohim's (the Lord's) Christ. And
those memorable childhood years, and thankfullyhe came by the Spirit into the Temple: and when the
without the matured mental capacity to fully evaluateparents brought in the child Yahshua (Jesus), do do
them till later on in life.for him after the custom of the law, Then took he
Our Americanized lifestyle presents it's own array ofHim up in his arms, and blessed YaHWeH (God), and
merry-go-rounds. Even, we as Believers havesaid: YaHWeH (God), now let your servant depart in
unabashingly jumped aboard some of the seeminglypeace, according to your word. For mine eyes have
innocent and gone along for the dizzying ride. One ofseen your Salvation, which you have prepared before
the greatest rides is within the well marketed adventthe face of all people; a Light to lighten the Gentiles,
of our Holiday Season. From Thanksgiving Day, thruand the Glory of your people Israel." St. Luke 2:25-32
Christmas Day, on to New Year's Day, there seemsChristians certainly know that Thanksgiving is a life
to be the same dizzying effect perpetrating ourevent. Not brushed over so easily once a year with a
social playgrounds. The Holiday Merry-Go-Roundturkey dinner celebration. But a genuine lifestyle of
frenzy of preparing for these strategic eventsThanksgiving toward YaHWeH (God), for more than
surreptitiously invades our homes, schools, churches,the historical events that Thanksgiving can relate. As
business's, and last but not least, our very souls. Assojourners upon this earth we can empathize with
Christian Believers we need to recognize thethe 'Pilgrims' who celebrated a Thanksgiving Feast
consequences of jumping on this Holidaydue to their tremendous and difficult circumstance
Merry-Go-Round, each in our own way.they had endured and had come thru.
From the red and green holiday color-wheel to theChristians certainly know that December 25th is not
plethoric glitz of holiday decorations, we arethe accurate date of birth for Yahshua (Jesus). If
bombarded at every turn with the zeal of our localany close date could be stated it would be most
retailers. Advertisements abound to catch our eye.likely in late spring or early fall. December 25th was
Credit cards are blithely scanned, with nary athe birth of Mithra, Iranian God of Light. Liberius,
conscious consideration of the so un-holiday red lineBishop of Rome ordered the adoption of this date in
of over extensions. Check books flash, and pocketsto counteract the effects of all the pagan festivals.
empty out their paper bills and jiggling change, all forYahshua's birth date was adjusted to fit accordingly.
the perfect gift that must be perfectly presented inChristians certainly know the christmas tree is related
cheerful ribbons and jolly designer paper. Holidayto more pagan rituals. The ancient Pagan Romans
tunes subliminally turn our fancy to seek out Santadecorated trees with bits of metal and replicas of
Claus at the Mall. The sweet tooth fairy sprinkles hertheir god, Bacchus (a fertility god). They placed 12
holiday fairy dust upon our taste-buds. Such a rush ofcandles on the tree in honor of their sun god. The
plans and festivities, from the holiday greeting cards,mid-winter festival of Saturnalia started on
to the holiday menu's, to the shopping excursions, toDecember-17 and often lasted until a few days after
the gift wrapping, to the tree and home decorating,the Solstice. So many underlying cultish facts still
to the parties that run day and night. A crescendo ofremain alive and well within our Christian Holiday
Holiday anticipations arise as the eventful pressuresSeason and perpetuates the Holiday Season's
prevail. A countdown to the 25th ticks away as allMerry-Go-Round...
eyes turn to the upcoming New Year..."For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given;
"And there were in the same country shepherdsand the Government shall be upon His shoulder; and
abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock byHis Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The
night. And, lo, the Angel of Elohim came upon them,Mighty Elohim, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of
and the Glory of Elohim shone round about them andPeace. Of the increase of His Government and Peace
they were sore afraid. And, the Angel said untothere shall be no end, upon the Throne of David, and
them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you Good Tidingsupon his Kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with
of Great Joy, which shall be to all people. For untoJudgment and with Justice from henceforth even for
you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior,ever. The zeal of Elohim of Hosts will perform this."
who is Yahshua, the Christ. And this shall be a signIsaiah 9:6-7.
unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in... We as Christian Believer's need to continually look
swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenlyupon our lives and faithfully reflect upon the purposes
there was with the Angel a multitude of theof YaHWeH (God) in and through it all! We are all
Heavenly Host praising YaHWeH (God) and saying,growing from faith to faith and from glory to glory.
Glory to YaHWeH (God) in the Highest, and on earthSometimes we just have to stay off certain
Peace, Good Will toward men." St. Luke 2:8-14merry-go-rounds the world has to offer. Sometimes
... The proverbial gifts opening and the big eyedwe have to slow down the merry-go-round we have
children and the fabulous eats abound in displays ofjumped up onto. Sometimes we have to ask a friend
holiday cheer. Usually in such merry making with allto help us actually stop the merry-go-round
the holiday hugs, smiles and kisses exchanged rightaltogether. Whatever place we may find ourselves on
up into the climatic New Year. And, before we canthis Holiday Merry-Go-Round, know that we still have
hardly catch our breath again, it is over! The ride hasa choice in our participation to whatever extent and
ended, the merry-go-round grinds to a halt. Our dizzylikewise it's consequences in after effects.
little heads need to rest. Our equilibrium staggers asThe Holy Spirit, in much prayerful inspiration, can help
we try to stumble back into our everyday routines.us to decide in changing, a little or a lot. The Holy
But, then the holiday decorations have to be packedSpirit will not lead us in dizzying circles, or take us on
away, the holiday bills have to be paid, the holidaysome other purposeless ride. With great love and
extra weight has to come off, etc, etc.divine interest in our total well being, The Holy Spirit
But, I thought the Holiday Merry-Go-Round hadwill always lead us toward the mark of our high calling
stopped! Yes, it did, but now comes the cold realitywith Yahshua (Jesus).
of the Americanized Holiday Merry-Go-Round's afterTake a precious moment this Holiday Season and find
effects. Where once as a child the merry-go-roundyour peace and your pleasure in Yahshua (Jesus),
only left you with a dizzy head, and a funny walk;first-most before everything else. This is one Holiday
this kind of merry-go-round leaves you with more toGift you can personally share with everyone else this
deal with afterwards. We ceremonially rationalize ourHoliday Season with a lasting value that will far
Holiday Merry-Go-Round, as part of our Christiansupersede anything the Holiday Season's
culture. After all, it is all about Christ anyway, and theMerry-Go-Round can ever offer.tgy
extra holiday spirit doesn't harm anyone. What would© C.L.
the children do if we did not celebrate the holiday's