Winter Wonderings

     No, not “winter wonders.” This will not be a rhapsody about the splendor of the white-mantled hills, the frosty sparkle of snow-covered dogs, or the power of frozen car batteries to awaken us to the glory of Nature. I have another subject in mind.

     At this time of year, especially in the run-up to Christmas, we see a surge in activity from our friends, the militant atheists. It seems that Christmas, when we commemorate the birth of the Son of God in mortal flesh, irritates them more than any other Christian celebration. At any rate, they’re close to silent on Easter Sunday. Make of that what you will.

     But in matters of faith, there’s a phenomenon akin to Newton’s Third Law. A thrust against religious belief will predictably evoke a reaction equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. The reaction usually takes the form of personal reflection on the core premise of all faith: whether one can believe, without violating rationality, that a Supreme Being exists and takes an interest in the affairs of men.

     The great majority of Mankind, as far back as our racial memory reaches, have believed in a supernatural layer of existence. Granted, most such beliefs have embedded notions that either contradict observable facts or clash with one another to some degree. One of my characters addressed a fundamental objection to God this way:

     “What makes it hard for most people,” Ray said, “is that we tend to think of God as just a very powerful temporal entity, like some sort of super-magician. But He’s not. He created time. He looks down on it from above, the way you or I would read a map. He knows the path we follow because He knows all the paths we might follow, and what might flow from every one of them.” [From Shadow of a Sword.]

     That came from an exchange between a genius-level intellect and a passionate, much better than average priest. The genius was troubled over the matter of divine omniscience, as are many who approach the matter superficially. It does take extra reflection to penetrate to the necessary attribute of the Creator: His position outside and above Time. There aren’t many persons who can reason their way to that requirement without assistance.

     But let’s set all that aside for the moment. What occurred to me earlier this morning is the power of this annual celebration to get skeptics wondering. Not convinced, mind you; just willing to entertain theistic possibilities a wee bit more than is their wont.

     Perhaps it’s the celebratory mood in the air. Yes, it’s been somewhat corrupted by the commercialization of the Christmas season. Still, a great many Americans and Europeans still believe, to some un-plumbable depth. It might be more precise to say that they still want to believe, for open, heartfelt acknowledgements of the Christian faith as true and vital have become uncommon in the West. The forces that inhibit them are many, and have more power than one might suspect.

     Perhaps it’s the enduring power of the great Christmas movies. Alastair Sim’s Scrooge, Jimmy Stewart’s George Bailey, and Edmund Gwenn’s Kris Kringle can envelop anyone in a spirit of hope and joy. (And let’s not omit Charlie Brown’s bravura performance in his Christmas special! Yes, Lucy is still peeved that she didn’t get top billing, but what of that?) More than one agnostic has grinned uncontrollably at those tales, whether or not their premise eludes them.

     Or perhaps it’s something else… something subtle and private. God still speaks to us, you know. He whispers along a channel that’s tuned exclusively to Him. And He chooses His moments with care. They’re the ones during which the rest of reality is silent, such as the days between Christmas and the New Year.

     To those unbelievers who’ve allowed their minds to open, even if just a wee crack: I applaud you. Perhaps your moment is upon you; perhaps it’s not. But even to admit consideration of the premise is laudable, especially against the chorus of so many supposedly self-assured atheists telling you that “you’re too smart to believe all that crap.”

     Winter wonderings over matters of faith are a gift from God, quite as much as was the gift of His Son. For the rest of the Christmas Octave and throughout the year to come, may He bless and keep you all.