“Yeah, there’s too much commoicialism in Christmas.” This is a common complaint this time of year as stores try their best to entice us with their wares. It isn’t a new complaint, however: this particular lament comes from the classic holiday movie, “Miracle on 34th Street”, the version that dates from 1947. Sixty-two years ago Alfred, the young custodian, voiced in his wonderful Brooklyn accent a feeling we share even now.
Yes, Christmas can be a time of commercial excess. Yes, it seems that there’s too much Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty, and not enough Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. But Christmas is what we each make of it. It is up to each of us to keep Christmas in our hearts and minds, even as we shop for gifts, wrap packages, and sing “Silver Bells”.
I find great joy in the season, even as I walk through stores and shopping malls garlanded, tinseled, and sparkling in the season. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest when someone says, “Happy Holidays” to me; barking “Merry Christmas” back at them is hardly in keeping with the grace and joy of the season. Whether Christ is in your Christmas is all that matters.
Putting Christ in Christmas is not difficult, even with rampant “commoicialism”. Putting Christ in Christmas is to focus on the gift given us in the birth of Jesus Christ. Putting Christ in Christmas is to walk joyfully through each day, filled with glad tidings. Putting Christ in Christmas is to give and share, reflecting on your own blessings and responding to your blessings by giving to others. Putting Christ in Christmas is to smile and sing, reflecting the Spirit of Christmas in your every word and your every deed.
Christ will be in your Christmas if you put him there. Christ will be in your Christmas even in the face of “commoicialism”, even as you watch “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, even as you hear Bing croon “White Christmas”. Christ will be in your Christmas because Christ is Christmas.
Grace & peace,
Pastor Skip
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