"...Laughing all the way..." ~Jingle Bells, James Lord Pierpont (1857)
The holiday season is upon us, and with all the merry songs bursting forth from our radios, throughout stores, and really from just about everywhere, I have to stop and wonder: "Really? Is anyone actually 'laughing all the way'?"
Now, I don't personally celebrate the Christmas season, but I used to. It's not because I don't believe in Jesus and His birth. It isn't because I hate holiday cheer. It isn't because my nickname is Scrooge. Although I have heard rumors... Just kidding. No, it's mainly because I feel the holiday is a traditionalized, humanisitc, pagan holiday that doesn't really promote any "Christian" love and goodwill towards men in general.
What many in our culture today have come to celebrate is a fat man in a red suit. Which is a little creepy. Okay. A lot creepy. We force our kids to believe in this jolly character, whose past isn't very clean, and make them sit on this stranger's lap in order to get a quick pic. Because apparently this type of creepy picture is "adorable".
Yeah. There went the whole "stranger danger" concept as well as the hope for children across America to have faith in the respectability and honesty of their parents. Someone, somewhere is crying "Liar!" right about now. I think the image I described above fairly sums up the truth in that statement as well as the accuracy of the stupidity of people worldwide.
I'm sorry. Maybe that's just me?
Plus, I really love the validity of how people justify these actions: "It's the holiday." "It's just for fun." "It's a tradition that we have handed down through our family's generations."
Sure. That will make everything better. White lies = Bliss. Traditions = Nonconformity. Saying you are really all about the true meaning of Christmas and Christ's birth and how that has made such a difference in your life even as you put up the Christmas tree and leave cookies for the imaginary Santa who has nothing to do with Christ as well as the presents that have put you in debt and drove you crazy trying to find and pay for = Priceless.
I totally get it. How's that debt treating you by the way? Do you have an ulcer yet?
Family get-togethers, sharing, and focusing on Christ's birth are all VERY important. They are essential to our lives here on Earth. However, are you really celebrating those things?
When I see people in a frenzy shopping at their local Wal-Mart and being mean to others, I don't see love and goodwill. When I hear people getting angry over not getting what they want for Christmas, I cringe. When I see people fighting over a stupid toy for their child, I shake my head in disbelief.
So for this holiday season, I want you to pause. I know many hearts are in the right place, but ask yourself: "Is this really what Christmas should be?" Ask yourself about what you are really celebrating and what example you are setting for your children.
If Christmas is really about all of those good things: family, friends, sharing, love and more importantly, CHRIST-- then shouldn't we be doing those things all year long? Do we really need a commercialized holiday to invite family and friends over to eat and share and laugh? Do we really need to buy presents, and so many of them, when it's a fact that we feed people, clothe people, and share all year long? Does it really matter in the long run what toy your child gets?
What about peoples' souls? What about those who are homeless and starving? What about Christ everyday, all day? Not just once a year.
I invite you to think about the important matters in life and really be grateful for what and whom you have. A Barbie doll or Elmo won't get you or your kids into Heaven. Debt won't make the New Year fun and exciting. Labeling your actions as "Christian" doesn't make them such either.
I wish you Happy Holidays, but from the perspective of peace and joy and freedom from all of your daily trials and worries. May your blessings not come in boxes but in everyday triumphs.
~Love and Hugs!! :)
Amen!
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