This year I've decided to not let the commercialism and materialism of the season get to me too much. Being in a retail-type job, it rears its ugly head, but I've made a conscious effort this year to not let it get to me in the long run. I know what the season is about... and I've tried to spread that joy. I also have been laughing off those who want to "over-spiritualize" Christmas (for lack of a better term). You know... people who are constantly reminding us that the Christmas tree has pagan roots and all that jazz. I'm not going to argue the point... I don't have time for that. Many of our Christmas traditions have become part of culture, and since culture is dynamic, alive, and always changing, I'll just roll with it. One of my professors, Dr. Gregg Watson, said it best last Christmas when he remarked "Jesus was probably born in the springtime. Then why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25th? What about Christmas trees? They have pagan origins. I DON'T CARE! That's not what I'm celebrating. I'm celebrating the birth of Jesus, and giving gifts to the people I love. Put another bulb on the tree!"
As Christmas approached this year, I was struck with a mixture of thoughts. I think a lot about how grateful I am that God thought enough of me (and you) to send His son as a little bundle of joy born in a barn because there was no room made for his parents in a local inn. How humbling! Also, I think of people who don't ever get the opportunity to celebrate this joyous time of year because of oppressive governments and the war torn countries they live in. I think of my trip to teach English in an East Asian country a few years ago at Christmastime. They didn't even get the day off of school. I think of our military friends who are serving overseas and certainly don't get a break from a war- they're away from their loved ones, too, fighting and serving to keep us safe and to protect our freedoms. This Christmas, find a way to count your blessings. Christmas is about joy, about love, about remembering.
Since I'm posting this on Christmas Eve, I'll post one of my favorite Christmas songs. Check out The Night Before Christmas by Brandon Heath. It brings a tear to my eye almost every time...
So to you and yours, Merry Christmas!! Remember the reason for the season - a baby born in a manger so long ago. It's true. It's real. It really happened. The Christmas story from the Bible is so precious and dear to me... from Luke 2:1-20... you should read it. :-)
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