It’s May and I’m writing about Christmas! It’s not because I love Christmas so much, I can’t wait for December. The truth is I have serious issues about Christmas and I hope some folks will read this and have time to think about it – and maybe, just maybe will make some changes this year. Sounds simple and easy enough, but it’s not. Christmas is all tied up with our childhood memories and emotions – and the powerful marketing we’re subjected to every year – and I hate to say it, we’re even influenced and held captive to the Christmas myth by those wonderful movies we watch year after year, the ones that are so magical and so touching.
I think most everyone knows the history and origins of Christmas. If you don’t, do a little research. You will find the beginnings of this holiday are anything but Christian. It had nothing to do with the birth of Christ and I submit it has nothing to do with the birth of Christ today. Now, hear me out before you have me tarred and feathered.
The fact is there is nothing in God’s word asking us to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We were asked by Jesus Himself to do one thing in His remembrance.
17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 “for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying,“This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. Luke 22:17-20
That’s all we are asked to do. I think God was very wise in this; He knew there was little we could do to commercialize communion and this simple little ceremony would keep the focus where it should be – Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. Well, somewhere along the way this pagan, hedonistic holiday became Christmas and we now go through life with “visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads.” I’m not criticizing anyone for this – for many years I had more sugar plums in my head than brains, to be sure. I grew up in a place where snow on Christmas Eve was not unusual and I can remember as a child looking out the window, looking up at the snow falling and hoping to see Santa’s sleigh and those eight tiny reindeer, straining to hear the bells and that jolly “Ho Ho Ho.” Nothing was more wonderful than waking up Christmas morning to find lots of beautifully wrapped presents under the tree that weren’t there the night before, finding an empty glass and a few cookie crumbs left on the plate which had been set out for Santa.
Growing up with those glorious memories, I was hooked on Christmas. When I had children of my own, of course I wanted them to experience that joy and magic, too. Oh, I decorated every corner of the house. I’m sure the North Pole and Santa’s workshop weren’t as festive as our house. In those days when my first child was young and there was plenty of money, I probably spent more on wrappings and decorations than many could spend on gifts. In all of this, there was no thought given to Christ or the reason for this celebration – it was just Christmas and that’s what we did.
My feelings about Christmas didn’t begin to change until I found myself with two young children, and struggling to make ends meet as a single mom. Christmas wasn’t so magical when I looked at my children and knew I couldn’t give them much of anything for Christmas. One year we had to decide whether to have presents or a Christmas tree – there wasn’t enough money to have both. How do we answer a child who wonders why Santa comes to their friends’ homes, but not ours? “Weren’t we good enough?” There’s no way to answer except to destroy their illusions by telling them the truth about Christmas and introducing them to the reality of economics. I would give anything if I could prevent that kind of heartbreak for all parents and children.
During those difficult years I came to realize Christmas is a horribly cruel holiday for people without means. It became very clear why God would never ask us to celebrate His son’s birthday; in His wisdom, He would know how we would turn a simple memorial into a commercial frenzy in which the rich would get richer and the poor would suffer. I actually took a small survey at one point. I asked people what Christmas meant to them. Not one said anything about celebrating Christ’s birth. The saddest answer I got was, “It’s just an excuse to party.”
Of course, Christians will always maintain Christmas is to honor Christ, to celebrate His birth. Really? How is He honored by spending thousands of dollars on gifts (most electronic these days), going to endless parties, eating and drinking ourselves into oblivion – and never giving a thought to Jesus, never giving a thought to the poor and suffering people all around us? Yes, a few give a little to food banks, and a few groups collect and distribute toys to children – and that’s nice, but those people, while grateful, are just reminded of their dire circumstances and suffer the pain and indignity of being unable to provide for their children as other people do.
While God does not ask us to celebrate the birth of His son, it wouldn’t be a bad thing if we actually did that. So, it’s Jesus’ birthday. What gifts shall we give Him? If He’s the birthday boy, why do we give gifts to everyone but Him? I believe we can give Him gifts what would be very pleasing to Him. Put up your tree and lights, invite family and friends for a nice dinner, but spend nothing on gifts for anyone except Jesus.
Find a family in need – there are plenty of them. Buy them a week’s worth of groceries, some gifts for the children and a gift or two for the parents. Imagine the joy we could give to a single mom if we gave her some nice perfume, lotion – maybe a gift certificate to a salon so she could get her hair cut or get a manicure. Those are luxuries she has had to do without for a long time. After shave, cologne, perhaps a sweater or shirt for dad would be greatly appreciated, too. When we deliver those gifts, we should be sure to tell the recipients we’re giving gifts to Jesus for His birthday – what a great opening to share our faith.
Every year we hear from lots of folks who are offended because saying Merry Christmas is no longer “politically correct.” Political? Well, unless we are actually celebrating His birthday, I think Happy Holidays works just fine – after all, why drag the name of our Savior into a spend fest, a totally hedonistic holiday that has nothing to do with Him?
So it’s July and there’s time to think about this. I hope some will. I hope in years to come the retailers will be getting worried as their Christmas sales are declining, and that Jesus will be getting lots of presents for His birthday. If not, let’s give up on Christmas, say Happy Holidays, and make the most of “an excuse to party.”