I CAN’T SHAKE THIS THOUGHT: Most of what we Christians do to celebrate Christmas isn’t Christian at all.
Not if we punch our work on a timecard. Or tally the cost on a spreadsheet.
Most of the time and money we put into Christmas is secular.
What started my head cranking on this was the reaction I got to a blog I posted last week: Christians, chill out about Christmas.
Here’s one that got my attention, from Algernon Asimov:
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I think more people need to realize that there are actually two different events held on December 25th every year.
- One is “Christmas” or “Xmas,” the secular family occasion involving trees and carols and roast ham/turkey/chicken and presents and all that sentimental stuff. This occasion can be celebrated by Christians and Jews and Buddhists and Muslims and atheists alike, if they want.
- The other is “Christ’s Mass,” the religious occasion which solemnly marks the birth of Jesus Christ, involving prayer and mass and church and candles. This holy day is marked only by Christians.
The confusion arises because the names of these two totally unrelated events are so similar. I therefore suggest we rename the secular one, so that certain people will stop getting confused.
Maybe we should reclaim the old “Yuletide” label….So, I suggest these rallying cries:
- “Put the Yule back in Yuletide!”
- “Keep Christ out of Yuletide!”
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Here’s the kick in the gut: For all practical purposes, I suspect that we Christians are already doing what Algernon is suggesting.
Yuletide: How much time are we putting into decorating the tree, hanging lights on the house, shopping for gifts, going to Christmas parties, and sending Christmas letters? As if that’s not indicting enough, how much money are we sinking into secular Christmas? Jeepers.
Christmas: How much time and money are we putting into Christian stuff? Let’s see. Go to the Christmas Eve worship service. Am I missing anything?
Last week my pastor suggested we consider spending as much money helping people in need as we help ourselves to gifts.
In other words, tally up the money we spend on gifts for family and friends. Then spend that much on people who could do with some food and clothes.
That makes a little more sense to me now than it did last week.
Great article. Its time we put Christ back in Christmas as well as the church and our lives.
Thank you! It breaks my heart to see everyone participating in “Black & Blue Friday”, trying to out-do everyone on gifts, and never thinking of those less fortunate. Jesus Christ is the reason for the Season. Let’s put Christ back in Christmas. I’m not sending Christmas cards to family and friends….instead I’m sending them to the Wounded Warriors. I’m opening my eyes and my heart to those in need.
Shirley Martin
Another excellent point, Steve!
But there’s enough kickback from Christians objecting to calling the Christmas tree a “holiday tree”. It’s hard to imagine these same folks agreeing to separate all of the lights and Santa displays and mangers into two parallel holidays — one religious and one secular.
But it’s a great idea!
I got a new thought for the Church: “Let’s take Christ out of Christmas?” What do you think? Maybe the Babe of Bethlehem will shine in this dark world and be “born again” in our hearts?
Having been in retail for over 20 years and having to deal with “Christmas” — the greatest joy for me would be for the world to see what Christmas really means!
AS I SPOKE ABOUT THIS ONCE BEFORE WITH MY MOTHER. THE RESPECT HAS VANISHED WITH THE HOLIDAYS. IT IS SO SAD BECAUSE THE MEANING BEHIND THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS IS GONE.
ALL IS LEFT IN THIS WORLD ARE THE DAYS WE LIVE IN. ALL ELSE IS GONE THE UNDERSTANDING AND MEANING OF CHRISTMAS HAVE FADED IN THIS WORLD WE LIVE IN TODAY.
IN PUERTO RICO RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT AS I SIT HERE WRITTING THIS THE CHURCHES CELEBRATE THE LOVE OF CHRIST ALL THE WAY UNTIL THE THREE KINGS DAY. WHICH FALLS ON JANUARY 6TH.
IT IS THE AIR FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT OF JOY AND EXCHAGING OF THE LOVE FROM ALL HUMANITY. THE AROMA OF THE FOOD IN ALL HOUSES AND THE FRIENDLY SMILES FROM PEOPLE THAT DO NOT KNOW YOU.
ALL IN ALL THE WORLD HAS CHANGED AND OF COURSE THINGS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. I HAVE SEEN MANY CHANGES IN THIS WORLD WE LIVE IN. THE CHRISTMAS I KNEW ONCE AGO HAS GONE. AS FOR ME I WILL RESPECT CHRISTMAS AS I ONCE KNEW IT.