Watching television, seeing all the commercials. Walking at the local Walmart, Kohl's, and Meijer, seeing all the ads and displays. Listening to the radio and hearing about the "holiday season" and how we should start planning on events. Each one of these hammered with hints of competition. And the worse thing, it was two days before Thanksgiving. Why have we taken such a time of hope and relations of kin and have turned into such a competitive, anti-Christian, free-for-all event? The word "season" used to mean a special time set aside for making memories and the collectiveness of sharing our lives and dreams together. But now it just means beat everybody to the punch, in more ways than one. Somehow, somewhere the true meaning (yes, a cliche) of Christmas has been lost. No more wishing anyone a heartfelt "Merry Christmas" for fear of offending people. No more Christmas carolers walking the streets perhaps for the same fear, or because it takes time away from shopping, or maybe even perhaps because no one feels safe in their neighborhoods. Christmas parties at work are now held in bars and after hours instead of taking time to celebrate with each other at work. Lights on homes have been replaced with overgrown inflatable lawn decorations. No more down home, silent nights filled with hugs and baking cookies. Even churches have to put on elaborate plays to try and show the community how "hip" they are to bring people in instead of just sharing the Gospel and being examples of what we should be. In all of these things one thing is missed. The word Christ is still there. But by our actions we would never know it, except atheists (who probably still celebrate it though).
If you take Christ out of Christmas you are left with "mas", the Spanish word for "more". This is exactly what happens in our lives when we take Christ out of it, or out of anything for that matter.. Yes, this is a play on words but the premise and thought behind the words still remain true. There are two ways you could look at it.
- When we take Christ out, then at Christmas all people want is mas; more. They want the best products. They want the most expensive products (at the cheapest price, nevertheless), and they want more products. All in the name of love; love that is bought or earned. Throughout the year they could have had these products but choose to wait to fulfill the hole left in their hearts during this time of year. And that brings us to the second point.
- When we take Christ out, then all people can do is want more. When they finally realize that the gifts that they bought are opened and shunned losing their hype just a few days later they have to start building up their own hype again only to feel the same way one year later. They are left empty in life and wonder why the Christmas season was not as cheery as it should have been.
People have to understand what the season is all about. It's not about getting the most, or the best, out of life. It's also not about cookies or carols. It's about having hope. It's about love, but not one that is bought with money, but bought by blood. This celebration is here to remind us that we can't do it on our own. One was born into this world to give us all we need. The gifts are extra.
Merry Christmas, with no strings attached, or regrets...
7 comments:
I honestly think the better question that God will ask us, "Why did you put Christ into a pagan holiday in the first place?" This especially true when we are told in the scriptures not to hold any day higher than any other. The exception to this are the feasts.
Very well said my brother.
Perhaps they have replaces the Lord Jesus Christ with Santa Claus.
It looks to me that he is worshiped, because he brings all the goodies :-)
No Doubt,
True, but I would like to erase all pagan holidays if I could and replace it with Christ. Isn't it better to do that than the other way around like the world has been doing?
Thank Paul, I believe you are 100% correct.
Wouldn't it be better to eliminate all pagan holidays in your and celebrate the ones God ordained instead of attempting to infuse Christ into paganistic celebrations? Isn't that like straddling the fence without making a true commitment? We cannot serve two masters or at least I've heard that somewhere before. :-)
Yes, but if I couldn't do that, then I want the better alternative. Small steps at a time. I am not saying that we should lift up a fat man in a red suit to the height of the cross but we sure can make sure that the cross is part of all our celebrations anyway.
When you watch a secular movie is it wrong to teach Christ as an alternative? Now, of course the best thing is to not watch the movie but the world will watch. If they are watching then place Christ out there to change their thinking.
Not disagreeing with you at all. But even scripture says the riches of the wicked are laid up for the just. Just because it started as "theirs" doesn't mean they can keep it without allowing us getting some of the action.
Do you think we should allow the world to take Christ out of this date?
That's my point. We are the ones that injected Christ into the pagan holiday. Christ should not be there. It muddies the water. Let the pagans have their day. Let's keep God's appointed times as a pure light to the truth and let God's Spirit lead them home.
As a side note, I'm not saying anyone is going to hell because they celebrate with the pagans, but wouldn't you want your testimony to be as pure as possible. I'm also agree with alternatives, but when we offer alternatives and climb right back in with the pagans and their celebrations, we send a conflicting message and in some cases appear to be hypocritical. Everything is permissable, but not beneficial. Isn't that what Shaul says in 1Cor 10?
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