Search
Close this search box.

by Dr. Tony Kireopoulos

This Christmas, our son is planning to climb one of the great peaks of the world, Mt. Kilimanjaro.  He and a friend, and other climbers, along with their guides, are scheduled to start the trek on Christmas Eve and summit on New Year’s Day.  

Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.
Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!

Our daughter is living the dream in a Manhattan apartment that looks out onto the Empire State Building, this time of year its crown bathed in green and red.  She and some friends, who also live in the city, will be doing their best to avoid the cliches seen in every romantic comedy that has a New York Christmas as its backdrop.

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style.
In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas!

My wife and I will spend the holidays quietly, sitting in front of the fireplace, listening to carols, and enjoying the fact that both our kids have followed their parents’ footsteps to embrace all the wonderful things the world, and life, have to offer.  No, our time to do these things isn’t over; it’s just that we have to do them a little more slowly, a little less frequently…and a lot more vicariously through our children.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful.
And since we’ve no place to go, Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Life brings with it many changes from year to year.  I was on a plane last week, and a couple of very cute babies were in the rows in front of, and behind, me.  They reminded me of our kids when they were that age.  In all that time, the usual milestones were passed:  elementary and high school, college and graduate school, careers begun in their chosen fields.  Where does the time go?

And so I’m offering this simple phrase, to kids from one to ninety-two,
Although it’s been said many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you!


Dr. Kireopoulos is Associate General Secretary of the National Council of Churches USA.

About this blog: The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the original author and were prepared in the author’s personal capacity. These views and opinions do not represent those of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, its member communions, or any other contributors to this site.