I went to the barber shop a few days ago, feeling a need to get myself spiffed up a bit before attending the gatherings that happen at Christmas time. A lot of other men seemed to have felt the same urge at the same time, as there were six ahead of me.  There were another six waiting their turn when I stepped out of the barber chair a half hour later,.

This is an old fashioned barber shop, not one of those fancy men’s hairstyling places. Grant takes five minutes to do a good looking haircut and keeps up a running conversation while doing it.

One of the men ahead of me had an unruly mop of black hair on his head and a bushy black beard on his face when he sat down in the barber chair. Five minutes later he stepped out of the chair with a brush cut and a moustache.

I thought to myself that this guy probably only needs to visit the barber shop two or three times a year. I could save myself a good bit of time and money by following his example – but I don’t think my family would approve. This man himself may have been under some family pressure to make himself look more presentable for Christmas.

Are there still folks who go to church twice a year? When I was a boy there were people who appeared to feel drawn to attend a worship service on Christmas Day (or Christmas Eve) and Easter Sunday, but not at any other time of the year.

I think it’s good that folks want to commemorate those two important events in the life of our Saviour, but I don’t think it’s enough. That is kind of like getting your hair cut twice a year.