30 Nov 2021 Beans, peas and carols

By Donald Brazile

A little boy and his sister were singing their favorite Christmas carol in church the Sunday before Christmas. The boy concluded “Silent Night” with the words, “sleep in heavenly beans.” His sister elbowed him and said, “No, not beans, peas!” Beans or peas both sound good for a holiday dish, but Christmas offers us a lot more than divine vegetables.

A past Christmas carol, which was quite popular, contained several lessons we should ponder at this time of the year. It begins with the night wind seeing what Christmas is all about and asking a little lamb, “Do you see what I see?” The little lamb sees. Then the lamb asks a little shepherd boy in the field, “Do you hear what I hear?” The little boy listens, understands and goes to the mighty king. 

The boy asks, “Do you know what I know?” The King comprehends and is moved by the lad’s words and insights. He then goes to his balcony, summons the people, and makes a royal proclamation about the miraculous new born baby: “The child, the child, sleeping in the night, he will bring us goodness and light, he will bring us goodness and light.”

Now, gather these three questions found in the carol:    

Do you see what I see?

Do you hear what I hear?

Do you know what I know?

This Christmas carol reiterates what we may have forgotten about this season: There’s more to the meaning of Christmas than what meets the eyes and the ears!

Some see only the superficial beauty of the lovely lights and decorations; others see a brighter light and think of Christ, the light of the world. Some hear the carols and even join in singing, but the meanings of the words are just an outward expression of the festivities. Others sing within, remembering the day that a new song was placed in their hearts. Some care only about the presents under the tree while others contemplate The Gift of Christ, God’s indescribable gift to the world — a gift freely given, never earned, nor deserved.

This carol brings enlightening news to us this yuletide: Christmas is a feast for the eyes, ears and the heart! Or as Albert Einstein said, “There are only two ways to live your life: to see nothing as a miracle or to see everything as a miracle.”

You see, it all depends on your perspective. So, you might want to put this carol back in your Christmas repertoire.

Start singing it today and tomorrow and the next day and the day after that. Sing!

Sing about seeing more, hearing more, and Christmas will become so much more! Sing about miracles!

Because miracles don’t just happen in Bethlehem or on 34th street. A miracle can happen on your street this Christmas — if you’ll open your eyes, ears and mind once again to this carol of yesteryear. Or as Phillip Brooks affirms in the final line of his Bethlehem carol, “Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.”