I'm writing this blog post in the busy time between Thanksgiving and the various solstice celebrations — let's call it "Advent, American Style" — and I was thinking about some lines I recently used from the New Testament Gospels according to Matthew and Luke.

         And I came up with an idea for a seasonal greeting card, perhaps for the Hallmark Company. I do not want any recognition here (indeed, I don't want my fingerprints anywhere near it), but anyone who uses this suggestion might send me a modest check, made out to "Cash."

         Now my own holiday experiences have been rather positive; but not everyone's are, and I believe this quotation from Jesus not often used this time of year — not often used, period — may capture the family-gathering and other holiday experiences of a potential niche market, to say nothing of world news:

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn

“a man against his father,

a daughter against her mother,

a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law —

a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household."

             (Matthew 10.34-36, quoting Micah 7.6)

         Advent, American Style, is a time of tension and anxiety, and by the time one finishes the Thanksgiving gathering of the clan to sending out the last of the greeting cards to finally getting just the perfect gift for everyone — it's not surprising if you really want to take a swing at someone.

         So perhaps we should, as the old slogan has it, "Put Christ back in Christmas," but, on occasion, not Christ as sweet baby Jesus, but the one in The Revelation to John, preceded be a Hallelujah Chorus, entering on a white horse, and equipped with a sword and "a rod of iron" (19.8-16).

         And for those of us who occasionally return from nearly being crushed by a mob of crazed shoppers, and, if rarely, want to share the accompanying feelings with family, friends, and associates — this would be one possible text for a card that speaks authentically.

         The artwork raises other interesting questions, which we might get to in the Comments on this post.

         Meanwhile, happy holidays, and "Peace out, dudes" (if your gifts arrive by Epiphany on 6 Jan., they're on time).