Three viws of Christmas

Christmas has three levels of observers.

First is the awareness that Christmas is and has for many the deepest meaning for those of faith. The wonder of the event, not the date, but the realization of what has happened when God chose to reveal His nature in terms we can understand by all that is revealed to us in Jesus. This observance is obligatory for Christians, and it is deeply personal and a faith practice which reaches the year around. Here I need not say more. Those who understand what I am saying, will.

Second view is the one I grew up with. It is a popular holiday. It is a time for family gathering, laughter and visiting. It is also focused on children, but more often than not, it is teaching the wrong message of what Christmas truly is. It surely is a close family and friend time, a reaffirming of relationships, and observing customs passed down or created by events or history past. This is also the sharing of family and friend news via cards and letters that either time or geography has separated or denied us. But Christmas is surely lost if that is all that it is. How this level of Christmas understanding is celebrated by others is of no concern or business of mine or anyone else. It is their traditions and heritage.

Third view is the one that troubles me and here I am guilty. While our culture and the greatest part of our economy is based on discontent, i.e., if it is last years style or model, it must be replaced. The movers of merchandise, beginning in August to entice us to spend our money on gifts for others, that for the most part for what persons do not need, or for procuring things to give we would never buy for ourselves. The big news reported is that the economy is either up or down because of the money spent on such.

Now here is where I am guilty as I now admit twice. I have two large boxes where year around I put things that I want to give to someone at Christmas. The part that seems to have gone wrong is that we are to have a gift for everyone, and to not give one to someone who has given us a present, is unthinkable. This is such a distortion of the season, which comes out of the thought that such an awesome gift has been given to us by God, we also give to others. We also for this same reason make our homes festive with lights outside and in, as an expression of the light of joy given to us at the darkest time of the year. These symbols are deeper than we sometimes suspect.

But things are given as presents which no mortal ever bought for himself – gaudy and useless gadgets ‘novelties’ because no one was ever fool enough to want such for him or herself. The question stands that have we really no better use for materials and for human skill and time than to spend them on all this rubbish? I say this with the awareness than I just bought 10 hot wheels for a man 40 ish as a joke for Christmas next.

It is a special time of year, celebrated many different way, but with the hope that the darkness of the days has an inner hope that God’s light and life has shined in our darkness to guide our lives into eternity which is His purpose in all that is, and can at times be seen behind all the symbols we use to celebrate Christmas.

One further note. A man named Nicholas was orphaned at age 12 but left a small fortune. As a compromise he was named a Bishop as a boy. He became a saint, thus Saint Nicholas, who was very generous with his wealth, and wears red being a Bishop. We observe this ancient figure, sometimes called Santa Claus. as a generous gift giver at Christmas time. Yes, Virginia, Santa Claus is real.