Sussman: Searching for God at Christmas
This time each year many Americans spend their time and money attempting to make Christmas a time of wrapped packages and tinsel. At some point in the quiet of the evening thoughts turn to finding God in one’s life.
For many it is the pomp and circumstance of the flowing robes on their religious leaders as they walk down the center aisle of the formal church, and the blasting of the pipe organ resounding off the old walls of the church. For others there are candles creating a sense of spirituality in the hearts and minds of the congregants.
After all that Christmas cheer, many sit in their favorite chair and contemplate the influence of God in their lives. I hope to help with this contemplation. Certainly, the scriptures are a good start to understanding the message of God. There is another method. If you have a back or front yard, simply walk out the door, and observe. If you do not have much real estate, take a short walk, or ride to the nearest park and observe. This is God’s illustration for all.
If you failed to look in early November, one would see the majestic colors of the leaves.
The botanist can explain the reason for leaves to change color and create a masterpiece of unsurpassed beauty. The botanist cannot tell us why this happens in non-scientific language. In the spring one awakens in the morning, and everything has become a glorious shade of green. Again the botanist cannot tell us why this happens.
Since it is winter, one can stand in the park and observe the glorious first snowfall. The meteorologist can predict how many inches might fall but cannot tell us why no two snowflakes are alike. While observing you might see the squirrels hopping wildly through the grass trying to remember where they stashed their nuts last summer. The zoologists can tell us much about the squirrels, but they cannot explain why. This is the understanding of the creator.
Finally the deer who often frolic at my fence as they lick the salt block are another of God’s creatures who are among the most graceful. I watch them nearly every day and have written about the deer in the past .I have watched their color change in the days of winter. I read that the deer have a gestation period of 200 days or just over six months. No one can tell me the why. The beauty of the fawns in spring is the very vision of God’s world. I viewed the motherly picture of doe with fawn side by side enjoying the salt block.
I pray that all can view the difference between scientific certainty and the beauty of God’s world in which we are guests. All this beauty has been placed before us. The trees and grass, and the world of animals and every other part of our world to be enjoyed by mankind is the Christmas gift to accompany the celebration of the birth of our Savior.
Write Mike Sussman at msilksussman@aol.com.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Sussman: Searching for God
