Merry Christmas Culpeper!!!

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

December 24, 2012

Jim Charapich

Merry Christmas, clearly, warmly, sincerely, compassionately, and deliberately are the heart of the many greetings that I have heard this season. As I grow younger, it is ever more important to filter out the noise and hear the signals worthy of attention. Scripture puts it well in 1 Corinthians 13:1, “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.” (AJKV)

The heartfelt goodwill greetings of friends, associates, and neighbors this holiday season have resonated like a finely tuned instrument. As I have been in the shops and restaurants of Culpeper, I have found the mood warm and gracious. Some of this has to do with the holiday spirit. Some of it has to do with a steady local economy. Most of it, in my view, is a realization that we can make a difference in making our home a better place. One person at a time, one conversation at a time, one hand shake at a time, one smile at a time… As Brian Tracey says “if it is going to be, it is up to me.”

We were all moved by comments from Lisa Peacock, Director for the Department of Human Services, a few weeks ago. Her heartfelt comments to our legislators as they prepare for the 2013 General Assembly, paraphrased…”consider the needs of the community, they are not dollars in a budget, they are real families, real faces, real needs.” It takes an angelic leader to see the needs in such warm tenderness and to deliver the message with the clearest of heart… love.

Within the greetings for Merry Christmas, I also hear a confidence. There is a sense of optimism. This was most evident in the Grand Illumination of the State Theatre Marquee. The struggle through a tough economy with a persevering faith in the promise of an artistic renaissance in Culpeper is powerful. The lighting of the marquee was like placing the star at the top of our Community Christmas Tree, celebrating a very special gift.

With some expressions of Merry Christmas this season, I have heard a release from past hurt, a release from the things that hold one back, a release to hear a message that is bright and free from the noise and confusion.

Today, Christmas Eve, is a special time. We welcome the visit from Santa, delivering gifts representing a heartfelt best to loved ones on Christmas morning. However, the gift delivered in the many Merry Christmas greetings that I heard this season, prepares me for the celebration of Christmas morning, knowing that this “Merry Christmas” will last a lifetime.  

Merry Christmas Culpeper!!!