Now is the time of the year where people begin playing Christmas music and talking about the holidays and what-not. This is also the time of year where at some point in the conversation it gets revealed that I'm not the biggest fan of Christmas. Actually, I could care less if it was Christmas. Friends usually respond with a sense of disbelief when I divulge my apathy towards this season.
Please don't get me wrong, I am a strong Christian and believe in the power of the Gospel; I just hate what this season has become about. It is no longer about Christ and the fulfillment of scripture, but about these things:
Commercialism -- "tendency to turn everything into objects, images, and services sold for the purpose of generating profit. There is also a tendency for intangible things such as happiness, beauty, or health to be given a monetary value and to be spoken of as commodities. Commercialism can also refer to the domination of things by business/corporate interests, or the exploitation of intangible things for private gain."
Conflict--So many people have family issues that holidays are a rough time. Families no longer get together to invest in and love one another. They (might) get together because that's what is supposed to be done, not because they genuinely care about each other. I've seen this first hand.
Craziness--The Christmas season turns into pure craziness. Whether it's families rushing from place to place or insane parents waiting in line for days to spend hundreds of dollars for their child's gift from "Santa."
I know that sounds a little weird and unnatural, but it's not that I don't love Christ, I just hate what Christmas has become.
Here is the real story from Luke 2:13-20...
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
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