How to avoid the commercialism of
Christmas? This year some news sources trumpeted, some lamented, the
earlier-than-ever Christmas shopping season. Maybe it would rescue our sagging
economy! But maybe it would catapult shoppers into a Christ-forgetting frenzy
that no amount of “Jesus is the reason for the season” lapel pins could rescue.
Incessant electronic and print ads
overwhelm. Gifts Under $50 lists abound in newspapers. Budget- and meaning-conscious
families re-examine gift-giving traditions—It’s just too much, they say, so let’s
draw names, or ban gifts altogether, or give only home-made gifts. It’s easy to
see why people throw up their hands in surrender. Who even wants to enter this
ridiculous fray? Just wave the white flag, march away from the malls, and kneel
with the shepherds and angels before the crèche outside the nearest church.
I’ve been thinking about this question of
what I might change to avoid commercialism and return to the true meaning of
Christmas. Although I’m willing to, I don’t want to change our family’s
gift-giving traditions, because for the most part, I believe our hearts are in
the right place. Whether I spend $100 or $5 per gift for 20 people or 2 people,
whether I pay sale or full price, whether I buy or make gifts—it comes down to
the heart. It always comes down to each heart. I love choosing just the
right gift for people I love; and I am touched to receive thoughtful gifts. Although I admit mixed motives, in the end, it’s
not about the stuff; it’s a meaningful exchange. Changing the number of gifts we take to Christmas gatherings might relieve some holiday stress, but that alone does not point the heart toward God.
I am somehow oblivious to the fact that
in this season I’m surrounded by evidence of greed and materialism. What the
culture wants to do to the snow globe of my heart is shake me dizzy until I’m
so covered with their alluring glitter that I want, want, want. But I don’t
want, want, want. It’s heart-throbbing, button-busting JOY to give gifts. The
scene in my snow globe generally remains tranquil throughout the season,
despite Madison Avenue’s best efforts.
Now, about returning to the true meaning
of Christmas. For the past 26 years, I have not departed from the true meaning
of Christmas, the quiet welcoming of my Savior to this world. In December, lyrics
wafting above me in church or in Walmart curl around my heart in warm caress. “He
rules the world in truth and grace.” “Dear desire of every nation, joy of every
longing heart.” “Joyful and triumphant.” “Come thou long expected Jesus.” “Oh
come let us adore him.” These are year-round sentiments, of course, but in the
Christmas season I get to hear their poetic expression set to music. Sometimes
I catch myself singing in a store. If I glance at the lady fingering wrapping
paper rolls in the next bin, she’s smiling and singing, too. I like this.
Resonating with reminders of Jesus Christ’s
humble obedience is what keeps my snow globe tranquil amid all the glitter, I
suppose. What our gimme-gimme culture does with Christmas is jingle-bell us
into believing anything but Christ satisfies the deepest longings of our souls.
Every year my dependence on God deepens, I’m less inclined to believe this hollow
promise. But people close to me still buy the lie; and this is painful to
watch, especially while they are blind to their own deception. I am probably blind to some earthly attachments as well.
Having said all this, I must ask questions. What if our family celebrated only Christ on Christmas? What is the
logic behind giving each other gifts? Do gifts remind us of the gifts the magi
brought? Of the gift a Savior is to us? It seems the most meaningful gift we
could give in this season would be to God. What would that look like? Attending a Christmas church service together? Spending some time mid-festivities for a devotional about the incredible gift Jesus is to us? Though I'd miss gift exchanges if we modified our tradition, the relative purity of focus would be a greater joy. On the other hand, joyful giving honors God. Extravagant giving honors God; God is
extravagant with us. Generosity is a virtue. Treasuring the people God has put
in our lives pleases Him. Gift-giving is
a love language. The other love languages, according to
Dr. Gary Chapman, are words of affirmation, touch, acts of service, and time.
Besides handing someone a physical bow-bedecked package, how else might we
celebrate a loved one to honor Christ? What might we give to a stranger to
honor Christ?
Can we reconcile commercialism with the
true meaning of Christmas? It’s worth pondering. I think we can, but it all
comes back to the heart. What’s in our hearts if our family does not exchange
gifts? What’s in our hearts when our family does exchange Christmas gifts? In
the end, is it clear what we’re celebrating?
I leave you with a picture of people—in the
world but not of it—gloriously singing in a mall, right next to Santa Claus.
Stick with the video to the end. :-)
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