The birth of Jesus provides an insight into God’s ways. His only son was born into this world in poverty, to a laborer and a young virgin. Though Jesus was the “king of kings”, neither his birth nor his life bore any semblance of an earthly king. His kingship can best be realized in the Sermon on the Mount. “Blessed are the poor in spirit …”
The annual celebration of his birth does not resemble in any way the sparse nature of his birth. Christmas has evolved into a frenetic, consumer driven shopping season, especially in the western world. While developed countries in Europe and in North America continue a secular effort to remove the spiritual meaning from Christmas, the insatiable drive for more and more consumption soars. Skilled companies create a buying frenzy by introducing the latest, greatest device or toy. They announce the availability of the new device, providing the date and often the time it will be sold in stores. Crowds gather outside Wal Mart, Target, etc., hours before the stores open, in an effort to be among the first in line to buy the gift for their children. There have been instances of fights breaking out among the crowds because someone tried to sneak into line. What’s happened to Christmas?
Christmas has been hi-jacked by large corporations who rely upon the season to shore up the bottom lines. Christmas is a money making event. Often, Christmas season sales can make or break a company for a given year.
I don’t deny anyone the pleasure of buying gifts for their loved ones or friends. However, it bothers me that for so many, the focus is on buying rather than praising. Somewhere between the many-colored decorations and the buying frenzy, we seem to have forgotten him whom we should be honoring. I believe it is time we make Christmas the solemn, yet joyful event it should be. We should celebrate Christmas by honoring Jesus. The path to such reality is in the spirit of poverty. Those who are fortunate to have should be among those who give and share the most with those in need. If we were to do so, then our examples would reflect our faith. Our children would benefit by being shown what it really means to consider oneself a Christian.
© December 2006
William Charles
