Amidst the tidings of comfort and joy being spread this week, 13 year old student Mason Carter took his own life after reported bullying at school. While we were busy decking the halls, a 26 year old butcher was murdered by a coworker at the grocery store where they worked. These aren’t national headlines, they are from my local newscast just this morning.
I’ve read the Bible and studied it in depth, but I’m not a Christian. Still, I can’t help but to wonder what the Jesus I read about would do in today’s society at the time of year that is set aside to celebrate his birth. John 11:35 comes to mind.
I’d like to say that I don’t have a problem with the so-called holiday spirit, but that wouldn’t be accurate or truthful. I have a deeply-rooted problem with the over-commercialized and dollar driven parade of stuff that the holiday season has become. I have a problem with a society that starts Christmas marketing campaigns in September when new census data shows that nearly 1 in 2 people in this country are classified as poor or low-income.
Maybe it’s just the way I’m wired, but I don’t think that anyone should wait for a holiday to want to help others and generally be good to each other. I don’t need Thanksgiving to remind me of what I am thankful for and I don’t need Christmas to remind me to do unto others. Those values are part of my daily life.
If you are Christian, I encourage you to rethink Christmas this year. If Jesus is your motivation to celebrate at this time of year, why not celebrate by doing things the way he might have done them. I’m pretty sure that wouldn’t include going into debt to give extravagant gifts, but it just might involve giving to those who truly need it. And while we’re on that subject, instead of serving food in a soup kitchen at the holidays (like everyone else will do), try making a pact with your family or friends to volunteer your time once a month throughout the year, or committing a few dollars each month to support an organization that helps those who need it.
If you want to give someone a real gift, show them how much you love them every day. I’m pretty sure that’s what Jesus would do.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Spot on. I gave up on “commericalized” Christmas a long time ago. Don’t get me wrong, we love all things merry and bright; its just not our focus this time of year. With a world of hurt and people marching to “occupy” everything, it is sacreligious to people of any faith to turn a blind eye in the name of holiday cheer. Thanks for all you do to raise awareness. You are loved…..
Chris, you know I adore you. One reason is because of how you live your beliefs instead of hiding behind them.
Much love to you and yours.
Hey, I was just trying to figure out how to get a holiday greeting to you, so guess this is it: Merry Christmas to you guys, and hope your New Year is merry and bright! With lots of good food, of course!!! Are you relieved to be off of your FS challenge? I somehow managed to stay off of food stamps this year, even though i am very poor and at this count 28% of Oregonians ARE on them. So that was a success. Another success…i’ve kept my house too, somehow, even though some ungodly amount of people were foreclosed on in our state…it’s 11% or 14%. Again, while being dirt poor. I give thanks to God, for sure, but in addition we really did house, some utilities and food, gas for the car (and NO ekstra driving) and car and house insurance and THAT’S IT. we are going to splurge and see a movie nekst week, but really even that’s part of my Christmas giving. I’m really worried for nekst year, but that’s in the future, and right now i’m just thankful that we DID make it through this year. I hope all John’s health problems got resolved. If you want to send me a message, my e-mail is shanijohnie_jojo@yahoo.com, cuz i won’t be back on this site most likely, since you aren’t having the challenge anymore. i got onto your website, but you had to sign in for that and i don’t wish to do that, so…
BEST WISHES TO YOU BOTH! Sincerely, “CeeCee”
For Christmas, I will be doing what I’ve been doing every week for the past year and a half, I will be spending time with Chris. He is a troubled teen and I am his mentor, partnered together thru the YMCA. He says because of me, he no longer steals and breaks into cars. I’m still working with him because he needs to really improve in school.
I encourage everyone, including myself, to be a part of the solution and be a force of ‘positive’ in someone’s life.
I wish the news would report on the good things.
Well said.