Ten years ago this week
I wrote a weblog that expressed my concerns about how Christ is so often absent
from Christmas. The holiday seemingly becomes more about “us” each and
every year. Author Mike Slaughter released a book a couple of years ago
that addresses this whole issue in some depth called Christmas is Not Your
Birthday. Christmas has slowly over time, developed an almost
cult-like following; especially in America with lavish celebrations often
without a single thought of Christ. How can it be so? The answer
seems to be that Satan has ultimately hijacked the celebration that should be
all about Jesus.
Allen Raynor Weblog:
Christmas Spirit and Christian Spirit
(Dec. 19, 2007)
It is December once again; snow and ice
have blanketed many parts of the nation recently. Lights brighten the
profile of houses in our neighborhoods and Christmas trees are immaculately
decorated in our family rooms. Sweets are everywhere! Office parties,
church fellowships, parties with friends, and family get-togethers test our
will power not to overeat to the max!
I have observed that what should be a very celebrative season is often marred
by tragic events. On my way to church this Sunday, for instance, at
approximately 8:15 AM I was taken back at how full the parking lot was at
Walmart. I find it incredibly ironic that 9 days before CHRIST mas that
America’s largest retailer would be enormously busy, yet only a small crowd
gathered for church. I guess I would expect it if there were a holiday
called GIFT mas, but really? at CHRIST mas of all times?
There are several details which make up the overall Christmas story in
Scripture. There is the detail that there was no room in the inn, that
Mary was Joseph’s “betrothed” wife, that Jesus was born in a cattle stall, the
fact that the baby Jesus was laid in a manger or trough, and also that the wise
visitors from the east came and presented Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense,
and myrrh. Most likely Jesus was anywhere from 1 to 3 years old when
these wise men paid their visit. A visit to a local mall today would
indicate that this visit by the wise men and the presentation of gifts was the
most important part of all. It would be like paying 50 dollars for an NFL
game ticket, paying no attention to the game, ordering a hot dog and drink and
calling that the highlight of the day! When asked about the game, the
same person would respond, well I’m not exactly sure who was playing!
Seems ludicrous does it not? Well, guess what, welcome to the Christmas
season in America.
We have now figured out how to celebrate Christmas without recognition of
Christ’s birth, Easter without recognition of His Resurrection, Thanksgiving
without thanking God, Independence day without considering God’s gift of
our nation, Memorial Day without remembering God, Labor Day without
acknowledging the ability to work as coming from God, Mothers and Fathers Day
without any sense of realization that God gave us our parents, need I go on?
Any worries about Christmas stem from uneasy retailers concerned their profits
will be less than expected or hoped for. Everyone wants a piece of the
pie. You can even stuff someone’s stocking with Burger King gift
certificates; Subway if they are a teeny big more health conscious! What
I will refer to as TV spots with attitude, such as one particular spot for
Lexus encourages those who are worried they are not getting what they really
want to hurry down to the “Lexus December to Remember” sale going on.
Well aren’t they nice; practically giving away cars just in time for CHRIST
mas. The personal sacrifice on their part is enormous! I know it
was a real toss up for them to decide whether to do this or help the
homeless! I hope they did the right thing! It really is comical
when you think about it. I was at least pleased recently after purchasing
an item at the “Family Christian Store” and being thanked with a “Merry
Christmas.”
Thus far you may have said right on! Please consider this dear
Christian. In this season of celebration, how many times have you gotten
angry with your wife or husband over nothing, maybe even quit speaking for a
while? How about at church; did someone say something mean to you during
the finger food fellowship and quietly in your heart you’ve vowed not to speak
to them again? Did the cashier give you back too much change and you
somehow forgot to correct him/her? All these things and more are far from
the spirit of Christmas. In fact, the “Christmas spirit” we often hear
about is simply a “Christian spirit.” A Christian Spirit is something we
need throughout every day of the year, not just a few select days in
December. The reason the world can shop without care on Sunday mornings
in December, people can pout, act ugly to one another, and succumb to ads which
encourage them to spend more money on themselves than others, and a number of
other things is because, not only the Christmas spirit is absent, but the Christian
Spirit is not there. What a tragedy! Even among Christians, we
might ask where is it? Christmas is really a sad holiday if it is nothing
more than a padding of retailers pockets, erecting trees, and gorging until we
are miserable. My friends it is so much more. Please celebrate
Jesus Christ this Christmas! Don’t be fooled by imitations!
In Christ
Dr. Allen Raynor,
Pastor
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