GroshLink

The other day, when sidelined by pink eye I read John Grisham's Skipping Christmas. What a trip as it brings up one popular American Christmas cliche after another. In the crux of the book, Nora and Luther find themselves suddenly back on board with the popular American version of Christmas celebration:

Nora somehow managed to think, and she pushed the Speaker button on the phone.  Blair's words poured forward and echoed around the living room:  "He's a Peruvian doctor I met right after I got here, and he's just so wonderful.  We fell in love at first sight and within a week decided to bet married.  He's never been to the States and he's so excited.  I've told him all about Christmas there -- the tree, the decorations, Frosty up on the roof, the Christmas party, everything.  Is it snowing, Daddy?  Enrique has never seen a whte Christmas."

A number of scenes are dramatic and hilarious, but I particularly enjoyed the local university administrator Vic Frohmeyer calling everyone into action to save Christmas at the Kranks:

Vic Frohmeyer took a step back and looked into the faces of his neighbors.  He cleared his throat, raised his chin, and began, "Okay, folks, here's the game plan.  We're about to have a party here at the Kranks', a Christmas homecoming for Blair.  Those of you who can, drop what you are doing and pitch in.  Nora, do you have a turkey?" -- p.201.

The generosity which ends the film is touching, but the possibility of skipping cliche Christmas next year still seems impossible.  How about making Christ the center of Christmas, not mentioned in the book or film.  Christmas has become it's own cliche consumer culture, even when we try to bless one-another in the secular, neighborly manner there is a tit-for-tat agenda at work.  This comes across well in the uncomfortable film adaption Christmas with the Kranks (note:  w/some unnecessary additions). Although Christmas with the Kranks fails to reach the high standard set by Chevy Chase' Christmas Vacation, the film goes on my list for recommended viewing/conversation in the next version of Practicing a Christ-centered Christmas.  Thank-you to Darlene for passing along the book.