This time of year, it is not unusual to hear from crowds of Christians bemoaning the current state of Christmas and how secular, and selfish, and generally Christ-deficient it has become.
It is also not unusual to view these people as whiners and spoilsports, out to ruin the fun for everyone else who doesn’t believe exactly as they do.
A perception that is substantially aided by the tone with which they present their case.
Which is generally whiny and obnoxious.
Now I think that most everyone would agree that Christmas has become over-commercialized. All you have to do is listen to the economic reports to realize that Christmas is Very Big Business, and given our struggling economy, is seen as the last shot at salvation for retailers across the county and perhaps around the world.
But although there are aspects of Christmas that most people don’t like, no one truly becomes dissatisfied with Christmas as it exists now, until they stumble across a glimpse of what it could be.
For example, what if instead of a struggle, or fight, or at best a festive crisis to be endured, Christmas could be a time of peace and reflection and generosity?1
What if?
I don’t think anyone would be against it. Even the giant corporations would sign off on it, if they could still somehow receive their truckloads of consumer cash.2
This is where the glimpse comes in.
Notice I don’t say vision, or blueprint, or High Definition streaming video documentary. That’s because I don’t know exactly what a fully transformed and refreshing Christmas would look like. I don’t even know entirely how to get there. But I think I’ve seen the first step, and it looks like this:
Now, I don’t know these people, but I like what they’re doing. Notice how refreshing it is to see action and encouragement rather that just protest and attitude.
Who knew christians had it in them?3
If you can, please contribute to the water fund, because it is ridiculous that today with all the miraculous technology of the twenty-first century, people are still dying from dirty water. But even if you can’t part with any cash right now, try to cut back on obligation and debt this year, and focus more on actually being there with your loved ones. Not only will they understand, they’ll love it.
It’s not too late to save your Christmas.
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Surprisingly still listed at alltop.com, humor-blogs.com, and now Blogerella.
- For one thing, the Christmas carols we sing would start making more sense. After a recent visit to the local shopping mall, I was considering changing the old line “comfort and joy” to some something more like “seek and destroy.”
This isn’t all that unusual for me, considering that I do have a history of blatant Christmas Song Modification. «
- In case you are new here, I don’t lose any sleep over the financial security of huge, money-sucking, corperate conglomerates. «
- I suppose God did, but he puts a lot of faith in people «
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
What a beautiful and inspiring message.
Yes!
People think material possessions = love and happiness.
That is soo not true.
I think most people seek connection. Relationships.
Loving Attention..giving and receiving.
And those are all thinkg that can’t just find in a store.
There’s one holiday movies that get me every time.
“It’s a Wonderful Life”
*Because* it has such a human component to it.
“…And the Grinch
with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: “How could it be so?
It came without ribbons!
It came without tags!
“It came without packages, boxes or bags!”
And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before!
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.
“Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
Well…in Who-ville they say
That the Grinch’s small heart
Grew three sizes that day!
And the minute his heart didn’t feel quite so tight,
He whizzed with his load through the bright morning light
And he brought back the toys!
And the food for the feast!
And he…
…HE HIMSELF…!
The Grinch carved the roast beast!”
~Dr. Seuss
~ZZ
Christmas has been made into a scapegoat – Why isn’t Hanukkah taking a hit on this “support the economy” thing? The Jews should be buying 8 times as many gifts as Christians – They need to step up to the cash register and do their part.
Cheers
@David
I somehow think that Brent’s intention here is meant in a whole different manner.
A higher purpose, so to speak, rather than making it a cultural or specific religion…kind of thing.
At least, that’s the way I understood it to be. :)
Merry Christmas to you.
~ZZ
Wha-?
Brent, I can’t have you steppin on the TRUE meaning of Christmas -aka me gettin’ lots of cool presents.
What am I supposed to do with a well? It certainly wouldn’t fit under the tree. And have you any idea how much wrapping paper that would take? It would totally be a fire hazard!
Take this post down before Jesus finds out!!!
Greeneyezz -I completely agree. A fully-embraced life is about relationship, it is about giving what is genuine, and unique, and alive about yourself, to others. And so far no company has been able to commoditize that, at least not in time for Christmas. Which gives hope to all of us grinches in search of cardiac enlargement.
David -OK, I’ll bite…It’s clear that when it comes to saving America’s corporate assets, the holiday traditions of a single religion are not enough. What we need is a truly ecumenical, faith-based marketing apparatus to incorporate Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid, and Kwanzaa celebrations into a mighty smorgasbord of redeeming commerce.
Or executives could just stop looting their companies into bankruptcy. But where’s the fun in that?Statement Retracted due to excessive grumpiness.LOBO -Sorry to ruin Christmas for you, I’m just selfish that way. Of course if you really want to wrap a well I can help. All you’ll need is a couple hundred-thousand milk jugs and very long stocking. Or perhaps a decorative, braided-tinsel firehose.
That crucified Santa is actually pretty accurate representation of what christmas was supposed to be. Originally Saint Nicolas day was on the 16th of december (which was celebrated by nuns giving oranges and muffin baskets to homeless people, yay muffins, well maybe not muffins) but the church combined it with the celebration of christ, on the 25th. They didnt like two public holidays that close. So thats why people give gifts on christmas, but maybe it would be better to go back to giving oranges to the homeless…
Hey guys – my comment was total satire. I assumed it was ludicrous enough to be obvious.
Cheers
Brent, Great post. This must be some of that thought proking semi-serious stuff you mentioned. I’ve heard a lot of griping about not being able to a find wii or how little time people have to get everything done. I was getting caught in it myself, but now I suddenly find myself looking for a job. So somethings have become much less important this year. Like ton of gifts, but I’ve good clean water and food on the table for moment. This season, I plan on remembering my Savior and resting in the joy that His plan will get me through to the next step in life.
David, Sometimes even dripping satire is lost in the static of corporate greed and holiday angst. People can be so touchy during Christmas.
Alex L. -I agree, there’s a reason why old Nick got sainted. And when it comes down to feeding those without the security of a home, oranges are a perfect choice. Not only are they filled with scurvy-fighting vitamin C, but they can also be used for self-defense or even national security when combined with an anti-terrorist combat necktie.
David -Sorry, my humor is pretty dry. I didn’t mean to come off as preaching in my comment to you. I was joking as well.
Chris non-C -Sorry about the job, my friend. I do know how hard it is, I also know what a great job unemployment does of refocusing your priorities.
Our hearts and prayers will be with you. On the positive side, just think of all the health benefits you will receive from reducing your insect consumption. And if times get really tight, you can always fall back on your celebrity propulsion skills. You’re a natural.
@David
I must have misunderstood you. Sometimes it’s hard to discern the meaning of the written word, as there’s no context for the satire to come through.
For that I appologize.
I *still* wish you a Merry Christmas though! :)
~ZZ
Isn’t that a wild photo! I saw it last year and had to wait till after Christmas to post it cause I didn’t want to offend anyone.
And dude, I love the footnotes. I downloaded that plugin but haven’t put it to use yet. Do you find it useful? Have you had good feedback about it too?
Great blog you got here.
And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. ~Dr. Seuss
Greeneyezz and David -And I wish best possible Christmas to the both of you as well.
Ariah Fine -I can see what you mean about the photo, but I figure the offense is already there, and when it is “us” doing the offending with our bad attitude and complete lack of subtlety or compassion, then we need to address it.
As for the footnotes, I use them all the time, but I just recently switched over from plain asterisks to the plugin and its numbered anchors. Strangely, I haven’t had anyone expressing their deep admiration of this improvement as of yet. (cough, cough, hint, hint.)
Debbie -Pulling the old Dr, Seuss card, eh? Have you learned nothing about the perils of literary escalation? Oh well.
“What’s that dear Debbie?
There’s more Christmas you say
Than shopping and spending and loading the sleigh
Contentment’s not commerce?
And peace is not pay?
A ridiculous notion for our modern day
In this season of cheer
Don’t get carried away
Or report you I will to the new CIA.”
Wow, that was great! Your brain is much too brilliant.
On a more serious note, this Christmas season has been quite different for me. As you know I lost my job (the perils of working in the financial sector). I will not be able to get my six year old son any “big” gifts. Lucky for me, I have never really gone too crazy buying expensive gifts for him so he will not be too upset or disappointed.
Now is the perfect time for me to emphasize how Christmas is a “time of giving” or is it more accurate to say it is a “giving of time?” I am thinking of visiting a nursing home a friend of mine attends every Sunday. She has always wanted to be a country music star (I don’t hold that against her of course) so she takes her guitar and sings for all the residents. She is not the greatest singer but they all love her. They clap and try and sing with her and it is a really wonderful thing to witness. Maybe I could take Logan. After talking with people who have experienced around 80 Christmas seasons, I think a new X-box 360 will seem a lot less important to him(Ok maybe not but it is worth a try).
Debbie,
Your angel will just love spending time with you.
Brent,
I guess our comments are in EST because it is only 4:07.
I am thankful for every day!
Thank you Camille. He does love his Mommy.
Debbie -I hate to brag but sometimes I’m so brilliant that Camille makes me sleep with a lampshade on my head.
Seriously though, not showering your youngster with consumer good doesn’t make you a bad parent. In fact, it often makes you a better one.
Camille -I completely agree.
Camille -Congratulations on being the only one to notice that I hadn’t changed over from daylight savings time. I’m sure there’s some sort of prize for such a display of observation skill.
Camille -You seem to have a new thought every minute. At that time of morning I usually only have one: coffee.
Debbie -Why am I answering other people’s conversations?
You better watch that brilliance Brent or the lampshade may have to stay on through work and then at home during dinner. Just make sure you take it off when you write and um shower.
There was a program like this during September, where folks with September birthdays were supposed to forgo gifts and instead have folks donate to a charity that helps dig wells in Africa. My wife did it (she has a shitty b-day: 9/11) and raised a good bit of cash for the charity. Thanks for sharing this program and for, hopefully, encouraging us to be a little less selfish or self-absorbed this year.
Debbie -A shadeless shower? How twisted. Around here we believe in a thing called modesty.
Father Muskrat -I think that as a people we have the corner on the market for self-absorption. Any reduction would definitely be an improvement. Tell your wife I am proud of her.
Honestly, I too feel that Christmas and it’s purpose have become a stepping point for our societies need to commercialize and trivialize everything. Chris Kringle used to stand for giving, good, the spirit of brotherhood and kindness to the fellow man just for the sake of kindness. He was a representative for Christ and the desire Christ had to share the day of his birth with his people. Bestowing gifts upon them, as opposed to recieveing them (a complete flip of what society has turned this holiday into). Unfortunatly, Santa has become nothing more than a clown at Jesus’s birthday party.
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