Keeping Christ in Christmas
Featured — By Rachel Pater on December 28, 2009 at 12:19 pm
“Where is Christ for you right now?” This question was posed at the 11pm Christmas Eve service at my parents’ church, after which we were encouraged to take a few moments of silence to reflect.
Truth be told, Christ wasn’t forefront for me this season. In fact, the only time I really thought about the incarnation in any depth was when I retold it to my Sunday School class of elementary kids. Their wonder and inquisitiveness dusted off the tired story in my mind. Aside from that, though, I was mostly consumed with parties, gift-buying, and traveling home.
So who is to blame for my Christ-less Christmas?
Well, some would say that if you didn’t experience the true meaning of Christmas this year, it’s because Christ is being hijacked with every politically correct “Happy Holiday” uttered. A group of four women in Ohio feel so strongly about it that they started a campaign two years ago to raise money for billboards with Jesus’ sentiments on the subject displayed for all to see. I saw one upon my arrival home in the Midwest: “I Miss Hearing You Say Merry Christmas,” it stated in simple, albeit ginormous font, with the quote attributed to Jesus on the bottom. Another billboard from the same group reads, “It’s OK to say Merry Christmas,” again purporting that Jesus has actually said this (or maybe he just constantly mutters it to himself).
The sign reminded me of a picture of Jesus I often got from high school students in my youth group– a Jesus with furrowed brow and extended pointer finger, making declarations of his disappointment with us – when I would ask them the hypothetical question, “What do you think Jesus would say to you if he walked up right now?” The most common response of these young Christians, steeped in Protestant guilt, was some variation of a Jesus who would berate them for lack of “quiet time” or “doing devotions.” No matter how many times I heard it, the answers always astounded me. “Really?” I wanted to say, “you don’t think Jesus’ first statement to you would be about how he, um, loves you, or something?”
Though I am wary of putting words in Christ’s/God’s mouth, I can’t imagine that a little political correctness is a top concern of the Deity. The first Christmas was hardly crammed down anyone’s throat; in fact, only a few people were privy to it, and that was by design. And I really can’t imagine Jesus walking around bitterly on his birthday every year (whenever it was) bemoaning the fact that he wasn’t getting enough attention.
The truth is, the fact that I did not experience Christmas like I could have is not the fault of retailers, other general pagan hullabaloo, or not hearing enough Merry Christmases. Christ was there to be discovered and for the most part, I missed him. So, though it might be “OK to say Merry Christmas,” it’s probably more advantageous for us to seek him out at Christmas and the whole year round.
8 Comments
Good stuff. Thanks, Rachel!
Thanks for these thoughts. I feel this is similar to the “prayer in school” debates. I prayed all the time in school – just not out loud. It had more to do with my own attitude and receptiveness than someone else’s actions and expectations.
I’m grateful when someone says “Happy Holidays” and don’t mind at all if I don’t hear “Merry Christmas,” even though I’m delighted to hear that too. It reminds me of the generally accepted notion that Christianity took a pagan celebration and turned it into something holy. We can and should celebrate all we want, but why be surprised and irritated that someone else doesn’t?
Rachel, I like this and wholeheartedly agree. It drives me nuts when any Christian somehow feels slighted and is ready to boycott a store which doesn’t mention the word “Christmas” in its ads. Ironically, the ones that do make the “good” list by mentioning that day by name almost always have decorations that are full of Santa and elves and such.
In yesterday’s sermon, our guest speaker, a 65-year-old war vet who is one of the most conservative people I have ever known said essentially the same thing you just did. The things that some Christians feel they have to stand up for are often misguided
Moreover, if they somehow win (getting Target employees to say “Merry Christmas”, getting theaters to stop showing “The Last Temptation”, to provide two examples), they still haven’t accomplished anything.
Wha? We can’t blame marketing for our spiritual ebb and flow? It even gets weirder when you consider that most of the original Greek manuscripts didn’t spell out the word Christ; they abbreviated it with either the letter X or XC. Given the chance, the writers of the Bible would probably have written it Xmas. So to our embarrassment, Xians once again got all worked up about the wrong thing. I can’t wait for the day I see a bunch of angry Xians mobilized to action because they are sick and tired of the obscenity of poverty and hunger in a world where there is enough to go around. But until then, please parents, do NOT let your kids read Harry Potter.
That’s what you’d have heard if you stayed put here at you church in CO, Rachel
If I see one more CHRISTmas on Facebook I’m going to ralph!
Recent examples:
Recent status update of someone: Merry CHRISTmas everyone!
Today someone posted some photos: CHRISTmas 2009
gag.
The Pater, awesome as ever.
Rachel, Bravo for recognizing our personal responsibility that comes first. That blame game didn’t work well in the garden of eden either.
Here is something I find that can be a tricky area here too. And do know sis that I am not saying at all that you are doing this because I don’t see that. You are just sharing some good insights, even as I’ll admit sometimes things like that have come at just the right time in my life, when I needed a reminder and I was grateful. God can and will use whatever as He sees fit. Ok, so hopefully I established that I don’t see you doing what I am going to speak of next.
You ever see how then those speaking out against (not sure if against is the word) these things then get caught up in it and do the same thing? Not that we shouldn’t voice what we see as we feel led for that can be helpful. I feel the issues arise when it becomes more of crusade of ours. I call it crossing the street into the other neighborhood and then throwing stones from there. The new neighborhood may look different and the cause more noble but if we haven’t gone higher in Jesus, or should I say deeper to the heart of God found in Christ, then we’ve missed the point.
I think that our grievances at heart and at that deeper level find more common ground. We just don’t necessarily agree on the methods. Though I think with most, if not all, God can use it. What may not work for some may work for another.
Lastly, when I read the sign on the picture of the billboard it didn’t conjur up a condemning Jesus to me but one that does have true feelings, like we do. One that feels pain and hurt and shows it in a real way. Jesus expressed such feelings in the gospels. And it was when I really started to dive into the old testament and read God’s passionate exclamations of his love and hurt over our betrayal that I really began to understand more of the love of God. Those conversations with the prophets of old are still some of my favorites. I love that He is jealous over me.
I personally would not be as bold as to sign off on it with “-Jesus” but I don’t know if the person felt more directed in a divine way. I personally didn’t sense it to be about political correctness as it reads but that’s me.
Some of the most profound moments in my life where God helped to get me back on track to the more essentials came by what I call “the least likely suspects”. I try and remain open to however and whomever He may speak to me through. God will also use what others see as foolish.
Thanks.
Love in Him,
Jo
Not too long, was it? I’m trying. I’m trying!
