My Christmas Thought

I’ve been thinking for a few days now about writing a blog about Christmas. So I started doing some research about Christmas; looking online to get historical information, religious information and just some really interesting stuff about Christmas. Why am I doing this? I have been compelled to do it. Some would say I’m crazy and what am I gaining for doing this. I want to share what I’ve found and get you to think.

Before this goes any further, I want everyone to know that my belief is very simple…I believe that Christmas is Jesus Christ’s birthday (date and year really not too important to me). Do keep in mind that the most important thing to me about Christmas is Jesus’ birthday and the Rev. Billy Graham said, “The very purpose of Christ’s coming into the world was that He might offer up His life as a sacrifice for the sins of men. He came to die. This is the heart of Christmas.”

My family and I do exchange gifts (some say exchanging gifts date back to the Roman festival of Saturnalia), set up a Christmas tree, decorate the home, eat great food and give to one another. I found commentary say that those actions are from pagan rituals and was used as an act to convert non-believers to Christianity (which I have found to be interesting to read, but do not deter my belief and do not dictate how I spend and celebrate Christmas). I found out that Saint Nicholas was a real person, a bishop of Myra (part of modern day Turkey) and how he put coins in shoes left out for him. A gift giver some might say. Did you know that Santa Claus originated from the Dutch word of Sinterklaas?

Ok so now you learned a little history…or maybe you already knew it. If you didn’t, you just learned something. Did you know that Christmas wasn’t a holiday in America until the late 1800s? So why does that matter? Guess it is just another piece of history I wanted to share with you. I personally went deeper and will not go into the differences of Julian vs. Gregorian calendars and why December 25^th isn’t thought to be the actual date of Christ’s birth…I was not around then so I cannot say one way or the other. Again, date not important to me.

I asked friends on Facebook to comment as well. Resounding comments…Christ’s birthday, sharing, goodwill, love and peace. What does that tell you? I read another quote from an anonymous author, “I’m all for love and peace, but how do you have those without the love of Christ? If you’re drawn to giving, think about what Christ gave to us.” Starting to see the trend here?  How about what one of our past presidents, Calvin Coolidge said, “Christmas is not nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” Really? Plenteous in mercy? Doesn’t God do that for us everyday? Uh, yeah. Seeing the trend yet?

Now I did read some articles about the commercialism of Christmas. How we spend billions of dollars on gifts for family, friends, co-workers, etc. Do you remember the Christmas cartoon, “How the Grinch stole Christmas”? Keep in mind the end of the cartoon when Dr. Suess stated, “Maybe Christmas, the Grinch thought, doesn’t come from a store.” I even read something in an economic article about how gift giving is considered a deadweight loss. Wow, that article was hard to read and I cannot detail it for you. I can’t even high-level it.

Happy Holidays. Ok here we go. I get offended that we choose to say that instead of Merry Christmas. Yes, I read articles talking about winter solstice and how it is around this time of year and folks celebrate that instead of Christmas and they would rather say Happy Holidays instead. So should I say Merry Winter Solstice? I had to look up the word “holiday” for the sake of this article. Do you know what dictionary.com says the definition of that word is? I looked it up and there are a few but check this out. Holiday – a day fixed by law or custom on which ordinary business is suspended in commemoration of some event or in honor of some person.  Or a religious feast. (holy day). Now that could make us go on for pages, but I will not for the sake of space. But really, do you see the trend here?

Some of you may say that nowhere in the Bible does it say we should celebrate Christ’s birthday. I also know personally some whose religious beliefs restrict them in celebrating birthdays of anyone and yes even Jesus’. So why do it and is it wrong? I don’t believe celebrating the birth of Jesus wrong. I do it obviously because I was brought up that way. Trust me, I didn’t care to for years. Christmas meant nothing to me…none of it. I made up excuses. Guess what? That’s another blog.

Essentially, Christmas is a celebration and belief. Not the gifts, trees, parties, days off, vacations, lights, decorations, and the like. People like to celebrate Christmas because they desire to celebrate Christ’s birth or because they enjoy the trappings that have been attached to it. Is there anything wrong with exchanging gifts, putting up a tree, decorating the house, going to parties with family and friends? Absolutely not. Just be careful that they don’t become the main purpose and you make them “idols”. Remember the first two commandments.

Finally, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope you celebrate with me the birth of our savior Jesus Christ. If you celebrate something else, I invite you to learn about the birth of Jesus and what God has done for us. Providing the most precious gift any of else will ever need…His Son.