Have a Merry and Blessed Christmas

FREEMASONRY AND CHRISTMAS

The observance of Christmas doesn’t seem to bring satisfaction to some people. On one hand, many say it’s too religious, and thus don’t want Christmas trees in public buildings and nativity scenes within a shepherd’s-crook length of government lawns. On the other hand, many say it’s not religious enough; it’s too commercial. They’ve been saying it for years—it’s the central theme behind the charming animated cartoon A Charlie Brown Christmas which was made some 40 years ago.

Setting that aside, what does Christmas mean to the Freemason?

Certainly Freemasonry is not a religion, Christian or otherwise. It leaves the determination on spiritual matters to each individual Mason, so long as he believes in the Almighty Creator. But there are certain messages from the story of Christmas that are applicable to all Masons, not just those who celebrate a certain birth on December 25th.

Many Christians feel God gave his greatest gift to mankind, and that Gift’s birth is marked on Christmas Day. And the spirit of giving is also outlined in our Masonic ceremonies. The new Entered Apprentice is reminded in the northeast corner of charity, and to practice it whenever possible. There’s the monetary charity of that portion of our ceremony. And there’s another kind. The one referred to in the Charge in the same degree which admonishes “to relieve his necessities, soothe his afflictions, and do to him as you would that he, under similar circumstances, should do until you.” In other words, the Golden Rule, from the Sermon on the Mount.

Christmas is a time of faith for our Christian brethren. But all Masons are reminded in the different degrees of the principle of faith. In the explanation of the First Degree Tracing Board, we hear “How ready and willing ought we to be to adore the Almighty Creator.” Therefore, let this time of year serve as a reminder to all Masons to practice their faith, whatever it may be.

Faith and Charity are names of principal staves or rounds on the Ladder you see every meeting on that Tracing Board. But there is another round, and that is Hope in Salvation. While Salvation has a particular connotation to those who believe in the story of the virgin birth, the concept of some kind of reward for following Masonic principles during our lives winds its way through the various degrees, as those of you familiar with the working tools explanations of the Second and Third Degrees well know.

So let this season of the year remind all Masons, no matter what their religious beliefs, to follow those universal tenets of the Craft—faith, hope and charity. Doing so should bring satisfaction to you at Christmas-time.

The Tree is up!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
Such pleasure do you bring me
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
Such pleasure do you bring me

Oh every year this Christmas tree
Brings to us such joy and glee
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
Such pleasure do you bring me

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
Oh ever green unchanging
A symbol of good will and love
You'll ever be unchanging
Each shining light each silver bell
No other light spreads cheer so well

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree
You'll ever be unchanging

Mistletoe & Holly

Oh, by gosh, by golly
It's time for mistletoe and holly
Tasty pheasants, Christmas presents
Countrysides covered with snow
Oh, by gosh, by jingle
It's time for carols and Kris Kringle
Overeating, merry greetings
From relatives you don't know
Then comes that big night
Giving the tree the trim
You'll hear voices by starlight
Singing a Yuletide hymn
Oh, by gosh, by golly
It's time for mistletoe and holly
Fancy ties an' granny's pies
An' folks stealin' a kiss or two
As they whisper, "Merry Christmas" to you
Then comes that big night
Giving the tree the trim
You'll hear voices by starlight
Singing a Yuletide hymn
Oh, by gosh, by golly
It's time for mistletoe and holly
Fancy ties an' granny's pies
An' folks stealin' a kiss or two
As they whisper, "Merry Christmas" to you

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year

'Tis the season to be jolly...

Well, it's finally here. Winter, that is, or whatever semblance of the stuff we get down here. Still, there it is. Rummy thing about this season is, it creates activity. Everyone's either throwing parties, dinners, cocktails, or just packing off and going on a toot. An enormous percentage of the general population seems to find this season just the right time to jump off the dock (read get married). Perhaps it's the fallout of the activity epidemic or a realisation that all the days of the year have suddenly run out, so why not make the best of what's left and get hitched. I must confess at this point that I have the heart of an eternal bachelor, for it is I believe the only honourable estate which allows a man to preserve his mental equilibrium. But I digress, getting back to the nip in the air (and I use the expression loosely), it has it's pros and cons, but personally speaking, I think the pros outweigh the cons. True, one can sense the devious flu-bug flapping it's microscopic wings in the air, and one is gulping down copious amounts of Vitamin C and orange juice to ward off this killjoy; however, it is also the weather which heralds the advent of Christmas. Christmas in it's varied warm hues tends to uplift ones' spirits, gives a man hope and an inclination to look forward to the nicer things in life. Christmas Trees,Carols, Plum Puddings, Mistletoe, Stuffed Turkeys, Presents and of course good old Saint Nick, are thoughts which put a smile on the stiffest of stiff upper-lips. I may not believe there's an over-weight old gent clad in red nightwear swooping down the chimney with a sackful of goodies, but I have no shame in admitting that I do believe in Santa Claus. One has never forgotten writing letters to Santa, hanging Christmas stockings and waiting eagerly all night only to run out at the crack of dawn to unwrap the boxes beneath the Christmas Tree. Whatever emerged from those packages, be it ever so humble as a mechanical ladybug (one of my all time faves), it was magical. The festivities at home, the ever-running kitchen and the warmth of guests added to that magic. That, I believe still endures and that to me is the magic of Santa Claus and Christmas.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas Lyrics