We are well into the Christmas season now. In fact, for many it started the day after Halloween! Some people are complaining that Thanksgiving gets overlooked as we jump from Halloween to Christmas. Others are complaining about the commercialization of Christmas. Here are a few words about the latter.
First – yes, it’s true Christmas has become commercialized, and that happened a long time ago. So has Easter, for that matter. And do we even remember that Halloween used to be All Hallows’ Eve, the day before All Saints’ Day?
Second – I submit we can join in – and even celebrate – the commercialism without sacrificing the real meaning. Just think about it. It is the CHRISTMAS season. Everyone who is participating in all the advertising and shopping and partying and all the rest is doing so because it is CHRISTMAS!
No, they don’t always include Jesus in their ads or their buying sprees or festivities, but that’s still the reason they’re doing it. They’re making CHRISTMAS ads, doing CHRISTMAS shopping, singing CHRISTMAS songs, having CHRISTMAS parties!
Third – all those things are reminders of the real ‘reason for the season.’ Mixed among all the displays and trees and goodies at Target or Belk or Walmart is an occasional nativity scene – a reminder of what’s really important. Scattered among the music playing over the store speakers is an occasional ‘Joy to the World!’ or ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ or ‘What Child Is This?’ – more reminders.
Our daughters gave me an early Christmas gift and took me to a Mannheim Steamroller concert. Wow! One of the best nights of my life! It wasn’t billed as a Christmas concert, and certainly not a religious event. But there we sat, 2,000 of us in the Mahaffey Theater, listening to ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ and ‘O Holy Night,’ among other songs. And the most moving – the climax of their performance – a rendition of ‘Silent Night’ that brought tears to our eyes.
Fourth – What about ‘Happy Holidays’ instead of Merry Christmas? Why do we get so worked up about that? Maybe their employer requires them to say that. Maybe they are of a different religion. Or no religion. Don’t we give a better testimony to the real meaning of Christmas when we smile and say, ‘Merry Christmas,’ instead of scowling or arguing or even reprimanding them?
Commercial Christmas is like many things in life. We can find reasons to gripe and complain and dampen the spirit for ourselves and others. Or we can look for the good and see the positives, and all of us will have a much more joyful season. After all, it is CHRISTMAS – the season of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.
Be like the angel in Luke’s Gospel, ‘I bring you good news that will bring joy for all the people.’
Written by Rev. Richard Phillips, FPC Care Coordinator