We live in a crazy world that seems to always take something that has great meaning and purpose and turn it into a commercial venture. I don’t believe that consumerism has totally taken over the planet. My concern is whether it has taken over my life and the life of my family. Yes it seems like Christmas decorations are up like the beginning of November instead of after Thanksgiving. Yes we have Black Friday, CyberMonday and Free Shipping Tuesday or whatever.
I know that Jesus wasn’t really born on December 25th and that the actual date isn’t truly known. I will be the first to admit that the pagans are the ones who choose to observe Christmas on December 25th. Does this nullify the celebration or observation of the greatest event in history? It is easy to become passionate about almost anything today. (I can’t fathom that there are many that are mourning the death of a totalitarian dictator who brought death and poverty to most of his nation.)
Yes, I have read many blogs that are quick to berate the observation of Christmas as we presently observe it, i.e. the height of retail business is judged not by the 11 months of the year prior to December but by this month alone. I don’t like to be controlled by anyone or thing, yet, I admit that I’m influenced by the loud voices too often. Why did the Wisemen have to bring gifts? Is this the cause of all our consumeristic holiday frenzy?
Is it sinfully horrible to have a Christmas Tree in our home? Please realize that I have downsized over the years from an 8-9 foot tree to now a miniature that is 2 feet tall. I love having my lights up both in and outside the house. My Anne has a knack for decorating the inside that is inspiring. Do we do this to show off our wealth or consumeristic paganism – NO we do it because we love God and are humbled at the coming of the Christ child in the manger. Do we have to do this – NO but we choose to do it.
I can be respectful of those who aren’t followers of Christ and see this as the winter holiday and time for vacation and gift giving. Just don’t attempt to secularize me and allow me to still live out the true meaning of the season. I also can appreciate those who choose not to give gifts but instead give of themselves to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. The reality is that for many they measure your love for them by the gifts that are given. I don’t ‘buy’ into this but understand a person’s dna, just as another person might consider commitment to a cause as being more important than celebrating a holiday.
So what should determine whether I celebrate Christmas, Easter, birthdays or anniversaries or remember the death of my mom or my past animals in our household? There are some who would quickly say that the Bible is against promoting one day above another. There are those who would say that it is better to live more simply and spend less and pollute less. The Bible does give me freedom to express myself as long as I don’t attempt to make my personal bias the rule of the land. This is tough if I’m the dad or Lord of the Castle. I know that even my own kids as they grow up will at times go down a different path. Does that bother me?? Yes of course it does. I truly want them and others to experience the real meaning of Christmas which isn’t easy at times to see through both the over commercialism or pagan emptiness of doing nothing with an arrogant slant.
My wife and I discuss or honestly argue or debate how do you have a family Christmas when all of a sudden your kids are grown up, married and have outsiders now on the inside. All families have different ways of observing or not observing Christmas. It is difficult to give way to a competing paradigm for living when I think or know that I have discovered the God of the universe who has given us life. I’m learning that you can influence others and show the true meaning of Christmas by being more caring, quick to share and help and being thoughtfully persuasive instead of beating someone over the head that doesn’t get it.
Do I give gifts to those who choose not to celebrate or observe Christmas? Do I give a gift to those like the paperman, special friends like at Starbucks, Matt’s etc…. I would rather create a culture of giving with the right purpose and motivation to share the miracle of Christmas. Yes it does bother me when someone else ruins my Christmas celebration by being a Scrooge or a Grinch. I know that I can politely joke around these types and still bring the message of Divine Intervention into the Cosmos by being a giver that seeks to bring the Light of Christ into everyday life.
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