I used to be an actor. That may surprise you. Truthfully, it kind of surprises me. While studying acting at a small acting studio in Hollywood, I learned a lot about the craft. I learned from my acting coach, I learned from the playwrites I read on a weekly basis, I learned from experience, and I learned from the other actors in my class. But  of all I learned and read, the thing that most shaped my acting and has stuck with me to this day, was a single phrase uttered by my acting coach.  

“Chris, it’s not how you say your lines, it’s why.” 

It was simple, but profound. No matter how hard I worked on how I said the lines, they held no meaning, no value, and no power without discovering why my character was saying them.  

I know how to celebrate Christmas. I have been doing it in virtually the same way for all of my 31 years. But this year, as Christmas quickly approaches, I’m sincerely asking the question, “why?”  

“Chris, it’s now how you celebrate Christmas, it’s why.”  

How we celebrate Christmas is virtually meaningless. It is the why that holds the meaning, value, and power of Christmas. I hope you will join me in focusing with all our hearts on why we celebrate this season.

~ by chris on December 7, 2009.