Wise Men & Bow Ties

I’m wrapped up in The Chair, the fogging of my glasses synchronized with each sip of the steaming Elixir of Knowledge. On the other side of the window is the dark, pre-dawn morning of the Winter Solstice. All is calm and not so bright on this crisp winter’s night.

The faintly lit window thermometer shows its age, the faded disc standing out from the window frame. The effects of two decades of outdoor living has turned white to a pale yellow and the red needle to pink. A needle that points to 12. Which means 8. Always subtract 4 until it hits -10 below. Then start adding back 2.

We could get a new thermometer, I suppose, but once you know the math it’s no big deal. And it keeps the mind nimble.

There are still a few stars clinging to the sky above the tree tops. Stars. Another hot sip of Elixir brings up The Story of The Magi. A two-year star trek to see a baby. A baby they knew would become The King. Wise men who, even today, would make the effort to see this infant monarch instead of googling the stable cam.

My mind wanders to another wise man from a Christmas Past. Charles Osgood, then the moderator for the CBS show, “Sunday Morning”. A mellow, thoughtful guy with a bow tie. Only saw him when I was either sick or playing hokey from church. I liked the laid-back way he did the news stories. Especially during The Holidays.

Mr. Osgood once stated that Christmas is about remembering and reunions.

I think he has something there. And to prove it, let’s play a game. Here’s some Christmas songs. Go ahead and shout out whether it's remembering or reunions or both.

And if you’re the only one up, please forgo the shouting part.

“O Come All Ye Faithful”

“White Christmas”

“Silent Night”

“I'll Be Home for Christmas”

"Mama Got Run Over by a Reindeer”

It fits, doesn’t it? The family traditions, the hugs, and the gifts would verify that. And it confirms that first grand Reason for the Season.

Remembering God's Gift that allows our Reunion with Him.

All we need to do is accept it. Which makes us family. Which makes each Christmas, and each day, incredibly special.

Mr. Osgood is a wise man.  And he wears a bowtie. It seems all the smart guys do. I have yet to see The Wise Men so adorned but we might be missing something there.

I think I’ll get one. If I keep my mouth shut, I could pull it off. Maybe.