Christmas Cancelled

     It was the year with no Christmas.  At least for my family.

     Dad and Mom had read a book about the pagan origins of many Christmas traditions.  They were convinced that God wasn’t honored by the way Christmas had become so commercialized.  And the way all the focus had switched to presents and getting what you wanted.

     So we sat down as a family and they explained to us children that there would be no tree, no decorations and no gift exchange in our home on Sherman Avenue that year.  My brother, sister and I were completely surprised.   And confused.

     Up to that point I’d lived through twelve Christmases.  And every year we bought a Christmas tree, put up decorations and exchanged gifts.  Even the difficult years saw some presents under the tree.  But now there would be none.

     Seventh grade had been tough.  We had moved and I was the new kid in school. But by eighth grade I had made some friends.  Things were looking up.  Then this.

     Of course, the thing I was most upset about was that we’d have no tree and no presents.  The two went together in my mind.  I enjoyed giving, receiving and opening the presents.

     As I recall, I wasn’t sure what to think about this turn of events.  I was upset that we wouldn’t be celebrating Christ’s birth as we had been.  And I was really concerned about the presents.

     “Now hold on just a minute,” you may say.  “How could your parents be so cruel?”

     My parents had always made sure that our focus at Christmas was on Jesus.  We children patiently listened to the Christmas story because of what came next–opening the presents!

     You see, even in Christian homes the focus can shift to the gifts.  As a result of the mixed messages they hear, it’s easy for children to think that Christmas is about them and the things they so desperately want.  And being good enough to get the stuff on their list.

     But the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus is about something more.  It’s about the grace and forgiveness we so desperately need.  Why?  Because we’re not good enough–even though we try to convince ourselves and others that we are.

     So what will your focus be on this year?  Will you celebrate ‘Giftmas’ or Christmas? 

     Children imitate their elders.  And what you do as a parent or grandparent determines what your children or grandchildren believe and think about Christmas.

     By buying into the whole Santa myth are we unwittingly destroying the true meaning of the Christmas celebration?  It may be that our self-indulgence and extravagance is what leaves both our hearts and our wallets empty.

     So what should we do?  Well, almost everyone agrees that Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus. So instead of canceling Christmas, why not gently turn the attention back to Christ?  Let one of the children read the Christmas story from the Bible in the Gospel of Luke, chapter two.

     Then make the children’s birthdays about them with all the presents you want to give.  But make Christmas about Jesus, God’s gift of love to the world.  Talk about why he was born.

     Listen to what the angel said in announcing his birth to Mary: “You shall call his name Jesus for he will save his people from their sins.”

     The Bible adds, “For there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”  Jesus isn’t just a Savior for Christians or for a particular nation.  The Bible calls him “the Savior of the world.”  Now that’s something worth celebrating.

     Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!