Can I make a request?
Can we stop pretending that Christmas has anything to do with a Baby born in Bethlehem some 2000 years ago... It doesn't.
It's about all about money in North America...
In some places it's about getting together with those you love...
In some places it's about getting together with those you can't stand but have some biological connection to...
For some it's about the food..
For others it's about time away from the office
For some it's a time when the kids come home... and you get to see the grandkids...
The Americans have their holiday...
The Jewish Community has Hannukah
The Blacks created Kwanzaa
The Chinese, British, Spanish, Russians... all have their own way of celebrating whatever it is they celebrate.
...I could go on... but my point is that this has nothing to do with the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes (whatever that means)..
I'm not saying I have a problem with that - I'm just asking why we can't just be honest and upfront about it.
Take me for example - I hate surprises... unless it's a gift.
For me Christmas is about getting loot... lots of it!
I love getting gifts. It doesn't have to be expensive (though that's nice).. I discovered recently that it doesn't even need to be something useful... it just has to be something that someone purchased or made for me because when they saw it they thought of me...
...I guess you could say it's the thought that counts.
What I don't get is why we have to associate the season... the tree... the treats with this Jesus baby? It's like we feel bad giving gifts to each other without an excuse. If you think I would like that sweater, why not just get me the sweater? Why do you have to wait until December 25th? If you think I would like a puppy, or a toaster, or an iPad (see how smoothly I slipped that in there?) why not just get it for me ... November, July, August even... why do we have to wait for December? And why do we have to create some religious association or excuse...
I sometimes wonder if those who are so adamant about "keeping Christ in Christmas" are equally adamant about keeping Christ in Ascension... or Pentecost... or any of the other key dates on the sacred calendar scattered through out the year.
What makes Christmas so special?
my 2c
4 comments:
Wow Paul...EXCELLENT! I agree completely. We get frustrated when someone says "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas"...we shake our heads in disgust when we see a Santa on a rooftop and no baby in a manger, and we cry about materialism when kids give us large lists of items that they want. Jesus could care less whether we sing "Away in a Manger" or "Rudolph"...or if we read "The Nativity Story" or "The Night Before Christmas". Jesus wants us to follow his LIFE example, not just attempt to remember his birth. Great Post Paul!
I totally agree. Completely take God out of all of the holidays. Christmas, Easter, you name it. Christmas would be so much better without Christ. Mas Day. Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? OR we could take a good ol' history lesson and remember the reason for the season and actually remember Christ on the day of his birth instead of being selfish.
Paul- You might find this article I stumbled across
interesting....tho' there are several obvious errors in the piece, it still makes several valid points that serious disciples need to be pondering if we want to reflect the One we say we follow accurately to a thirsty world...
http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/NoChristmas.html
When I was growing up, a family I knew never celebrated Christmas w/ gift exchanges, etc. Instead, they picked a day in the summer, named it "King Day" (their last name being King) and gave each other gifts & celebrated one another on that day.
As someone who hasn't celebrated "Christmas" for quite a few years, I find the irony of it parallels the whole thing Christians have done w/ Sabbath...that is, changed it to Sunday & then proceeded to not even observe it on that day in a manner reflective of the One we say we follow....I also find that-just as people always used to try & give us a TV when they found out we didn't have one-they try & give us "the reason for the season" arguments for celebrating Christmas as the birth of the Messiah.
My daughter had an interesting conversation the other day w/ someone who I don't think claims to be a follower of the Messiah, but was keenly observing the nastiness evident at this time of year as busyness/stress builds from all of the things that have come to be associated w/ the season. The world is watching & they aren't stupid- they know what we truly believe by what we do/don't do...As for anonymous' comment on the history lesson, maybe they might want to check out the difference between tradition & history. If you want to know what "holydays" God has given, check out Leviticus 23 sometime.....
Blessings on you man- you are worth a gift at any time of year! Sorry I can't swing the IPad for ya'!
BTW- a puppy I could do-LOL
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