Christmas

Stuart L. Brogden 09 Dec 2006

Read Luke 2:1 – 18.

From Our Daily bread, Dec 1, 2006

How would you define “the Christmas spirit”? Would it be a friendly smile between strangers, the sound of familiar carols, a tree with twinkling lights in a sea of brightly wrapped packages, or just that good feeling you get this time of the year?

None of these elements captures the real meaning of the phrase. They represent feelings that may be a response to the commercialism that distorts the real spirit of Christmas.

J. I. Packer goes to the heart of this matter in his book Knowing God. He writes, “We talk glibly of the Christmas spirit, rarely meaning more by this than sentimental jollity . . . . It ought to mean the reproducing in human lives of the [temperament] of Him who for our sakes became poor, . . . the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor—spending and being spent—to enrich their fellowmen, giving time, thought, care, and concern to do good to others . . . in whatever way there seems need.”

In Philippians 2, Paul described the God of heaven and earth as laying aside His divine glory and becoming our servant by dying on the cross for our sins. Then he urged us to duplicate that same mind of humble service to others. That’s the true Christmas spirit. —Dennis J. De Haan

If we look beyond the manger
To the cross of Calvary,
We will know the reason Christmas
Brings such joy to you and me. —D. De Haan

The spirit of Christmas giving should be seen in all our living.

It’s Christmas time in the United States. For most Americans, this season means more stress, more spending, more depression, and more loneliness than any other. We have our traditions – the Christmas trees, Christmas lights, gift giving, and parties. All of these bring expectations of others to bear on us – is the tree big enough? the lights exciting enough? enough food for the guests? the gifts not too much nor too little, but just right? And there are those of us who are difficult to buy for, so stores make a killing on gift cards. And difficult people buy their own gifts. Then there are the family gatherings and office parties – both with their specific rules and taboos. No wonder this time of year is stressful!

We’ve all heard admonitions to “not lose the reason for the season” and “don’t let Christ get overlooked this Christmas!” Many of us actually make sure we read the “Christmas story” and maybe have an advent calendar.

But I’ve been wondering – why do we celebrate the birth of the Christ-child by all the frantic decorations and gifts? There’s nothing in the Bible about decorations or trees. Christmas trees and decorations were first used around 500 years ago – and were in large part a reaction to pagan celebrations that go back thousands of years. The only gift giving in this scripture is that from the Magi to the Lord. As with trees and decorations, gift giving to one another was first recorded among pagans as part of their New Years celebration some 1,500 BC. Why do Christians give presents to one another – most of whom don’t need anything – in honor of the birth of Christ?

I find between 2 and 6 centuries of cultural traditions in how we Christians observe Christmas. I would bet you most Americans with a tree and all the trimmings are “worldlings”, rather than disciples of the risen Lord Jesus. I would also bet that the full slate of cultural traditions crowd out a good number of our good intentions to honor Christ in this season. I am fairly well convinced that most of what passes for Christmas harms our stated intent and pushes us more toward the worldly culture’s standards. The world tells us the average American family (80% of whom claim to be Christians) will spend nearly $1700 this year on Christmas gifts.

Do our kids need the latest game-playing machine; do we need another tie, or any of the stuff that fills up our time and our floor space in order to honor Christ? Do our Christmas traditions reflect Christ or do they reflect the self-centered, hedonistic society in which we live?

If we strip the cultural tradition away and look at the reason we say is important to us as Christians, what would Christmas look like?

The Magi brought gifts to Jesus; we give them to one another. The angels lit the skies to announce the arrival of the Savior; we light our houses and trees to delight the neighbors and ourselves. Shepherds traveled long distances to wonder at the God-man and went back to tell of the Messiah; we may read 5 minutes out of the Bible or attend a special church service. We consume with little restraint – on ourselves – and others, who will reciprocate. Do our Christmas traditions honor the Lord? Or do they merely put a religious front on time-honored selfishness?

Consider the world if Americans went back to the Bible for Christmas traditions? We would give serious gifts to ministries that care for the poor and present them with the Gospel. We would be more concerned with telling people “Christ has come!” than trading secrets of the best shopping deal. We would send Bibles and supplies to saints in the poorest, darkest countries. And we would store up treasures in heaven rather than fill up our closets with more stuff that we really don’t need; and filling up our mail boxes with the bills that will be due all too soon.

Joan and I have begun talking about this. We do not have agreement on what to do next year. But I am not satisfied with doing Christmas the way of the world any longer.

Christmas – God became man, came to Earth, walked among us, lived in perfect obedience to His/our heavenly Father, and gave Himself for us so we might live. Let our Christmas focus honor Christ.

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1 – 3.

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