In short, I think that the whole idea of a "War on Christmas" is ridiculous. No one is in danger of anyone forbidding the celebration, and the simple fact that we greet each other with a hearty "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" isn't ruining the celebration. For all the people throwing out the phrase "Keep Christ in Christmas," many of them are attempting to rally people to their "side;" Sort of a Team Christmas vs. Team Other Holidays.
I DO believe that we should Keep Christ in Christmas. But what that means to me is different than you may expect. I'm coming from a unique perspective: I have researched this over the course of many years in writing my holiday musical, "The Legend of Saint Nicholas." So, I understand that to a certain extent, performing the secular acts associated with Christmas IS THE SAME as keeping Christ in Christmas.
This holiday is beautiful because it's an amazing blend of the sacred and the frofane. Everyone's getting ripped on Egg Nog, because it's Jesus' Birthday! My electric bill is through the roof from all the lights on my house... for Jesus! I love all the secular elements of this season, and I believe that it shouldn't take away from the sacred elements of the season.
I don't mind Santa Claus coming to my house, because I know that St. Nicholas was a Catholic priest, known for his extreme generosity. Following Jesus' instruction: “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets... But when you give to the needy... your giving may be in secret;" (Matthew 6) Nicholas gave his gifts in secret, sneaking into people's houses and hiding gifts in their stockings. Therefore, continuing that tradition IS keeping Christ in Christmas.
The Christmas Tree is a pagan symbol, but it's been adopted by Christians because of its symbolism. The triangular shape of most trees is a symbol of the Trinity. The fact that it's an evergreen is symbolic of everlasting life. I always find it morbidly ironic that cutting down a live tree and in a sense, killing it, is to symbolize everlasting life, which is why my tree is a fake one. But ON the tree we hang decorations, often ornaments that we collect over the course of our family's life together. The act of decorating is a family get together in and of itself. Dedication to family... very Christian indeed.
Shopping? Oy, vey. We scramble to buy just the perfect gift. We often put ourselves into debt to commercialize the holiday. But don't forget, we're giving to emulate the giving of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh to the Baby Jesus. Since I'm pretty sure my Uncle Joe would NOT appreciate me giving him Myrrh; instead, I look for gifts he may need or want, to make his life a bit happier. The first gifts, given by Saint Nicholas were needs, not wants. And according to my musical, and the book on which it is based, ("The Autobiography of Santa Claus,") he decided to focus his giving on Children, and the best gift for children is a toy. Food will be eaten, then you're hungry again. Clothing will be outgrown. Most acts of Charity are temporary. The way to make a lasting impression on a child's life is to spark their imagination, and give them the gift of happiness and hope. I'm pretty sure Jesus would approve.
Lord, When we say, "Keep Christ in Christmas," let us not do so by abandoning those secular traditions, but rather let us strive to understand them, change the WAY we do them, and most importantly, teach our children what's really important about them.
6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Click the links if you really, REALLY want to read my other thoughts on the subject:
The "War on Christmas" is Stupid; The "War on Christmas" is Anti-semitic; The focus of the "War on Christmas" on Christmas Trees is Stupid; and The "War on Christmas" is NOT, in fact, Christian!
