Where oh where is the creche (nativity scene)? Not where it is supposed to be. Christmas is coming soon again, but remember Christ is in our lives every day, not just during Christmas.
You do not need to be super religious or even a humanitarian or just a human to get it.
The entire United States closes down for a reason for the season, and it is not just to go shopping or give people presents or to even just to eat turkey or ham. Lots of people exchange gifts, visit a Santa, share in a tipped glass, get together with their families, and in countless numerous ways signal their loyalty to a joy, not darkness, who have no connection to Christianity, as they smile and reflect on the “joy” of the Christmas season. But let us not forget, there is a reason for the season.
What I believe it is, is to celebrate the birth of Jesus; a person who existed, whether you be Christian or Jewish or Kwanzaa etc., we all know he existed. How you view him is our differences, but we all live his legacy of giving, caring, loving and even experiencing some who are healed and in my own personal instance knowing he is the son of God.
Christmas is an event; practically the entire world celebrates except Rehoboth Beach. According to our leaders it is for holiday lights, holiday trees and a pretend Santa which some do not realize is St. Nicholas (Santa) who is also a real person who became a saint from around the fifth century. Before a saint, he was an orphaned child who gave kindness and food to the poor, widows and other orphans, something carried on today by caring people who serve others and get it.
If you are disgusted with the results last year, I encourage you to keep the letters coming and tell our leaders what you think, and yes, call the radio stations and write the newspapers. Why, because Christmas is 2018 years old, almost 2019 and we still celebrate this season for a reason, and not to sell wrapping paper or candy canes.
Every holiday and even every birthday, we celebrate, and every gift we are given and every person we love is by the grace of God, in my personal opinion. I am not asking you to live my belief but to live as Jesus would want you to. Most of all, be kind, listen and be fair, none of which seemed to have happened over Christmas time last year in Rehoboth Beach.
Yes, I have forgiven the city leaders because that it is my nature and I will not hold a grudge; as many of you know me, that is how I am. But that does not give them the right to forget. We will not forget what practically the entire community wants to celebrate Christmas for, what it really is, and again it is not just a shopping or eating experience.
Christmas is lived year-round in our hearts for most people in Rehoboth Beach, a Christian seaside community as stated in our state charter and founded as a Methodist Camp Meeting Ground in 1873, and even for most people of Sussex County and probably even the entire state feel the same. Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season.
Patty Derrick
downtown Rehoboth Beach resident since 1979
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