THE HYSTERICAL JESUS

Yes, it's the season. Self-indulgence, greed, commercialism, yes, once again, it's Christmas time, the birthday of the Prince Of Peace. It brings to mind the observation made by Holden Caulfield, the lead character in J.D. Salinger's coming of age masterpiece, 'Catcher in the Rye'. Holden, a teenager brought up with Bible stories as a child, is on his own, trying to figure out his life when he finds himself in New York City during the Christmas season, sitting in the audience at the Radio City Music Hall, watching the famous Rockettes doing their thing on a stage surrounded by Santa Claus, snowmen, and all the detritus of the holiday when he concluded, "Good ol' Jesus would've puked." His words still stand as the gold standard for what goes on each holiday season.

If young Jesus could have looked down the centuries to see a mega-church or modern mall during Advent, he might have indeed tossed his cookies. I suspect however that His Incarnation as one of us may have limited his foresight to his immediate world. Like yours and mine. On a given day, the mind of Christ may have ventured no further than:

1. Get strap on left sandal fixed.

2. Check on Lazarus.

3. Figure out an ending for that prodigal son story.

4. Work with Judas on the budget.

5. Call mom on my birthday.

6. Calk the boat.

7. Drink less, exercise more.

8. Speak more clearly and slowly.

9. Avoid being alone with Mary M.

10. Ask Dad if he remembers anything unusual about my birth.