Christmas. The reason for the season is nearly lost among the commercialism of today. As Christians, how should we be approaching the celebration of a Christ-centered Christmas? Is any traditional addition (tree, lights, presents, etc...) to the holiday a detraction from its spiritual meaning? What goes and what stays in your home? Discuss.
UPDATE by Rodney: I'm adding my comment here in the meat of the post because, well, I can.
My view on this subject is wholly influenced by my upbringing.
I would describe my parents as very godly and Jesus Christ was and is at the center of everything they do. This enabled Christmas to be a special time complete with Christmas trees, ornaments, lights, presents, reindeer, carols, and even milk and cookies for Santa. It was never extravagant but my parents clearly stretched to make it a special time and get us things that we really wanted or would really enjoy.
I loved it and there was never any confusion about or need for belaboring "the real meaning of Christmas". Everybody knew Christmas was about Jesus being born (from the viewpoint of us kids) but the traditions of Christmas were what made that time of year so special—including being excited about Christmas morning. And that's the way it should be (according to my admittedly skewed perspective).
10 Comments:
MacArthur has a good take on Christmas trees on the Pulpit Magazine Blog.
MacArthur, huh? that pagan tree loving quack!?!?
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
You know what I'm referring to...
and THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!!!!!
Alright...the problem with MacArthur's example of the island folk who worshiped the cargo planes...the christmas tree was DIRECTLY co-opted from pagan worship and placed in Christian churches and homes. The pagans must laugh at us the same way we chuckle at those pacific islanders.
I would have to say that the elves are definitely a secular part of Christmas (and my nightmares) that I could do without.
=) Such precious, precious people -- I'm honored to know you bunch of Christ-honoring, God-fearing folk!
I'm sitting here, reading all this, and still completely tickled with how pretty and wonderfully smelly (thanks to my darling husband who "gave in" and bought me a real tree instead of an artificial one!") the Christmas tree in the living room is...
I'm also quite thankful for the reverential thoughtfulness and determination that guides the Lowery's views on all this.
I believe how Christmas day plays out will look differently in each of our homes, but I hope and pray that our love for God and for each other will be evident to a lost and dying world, above all, that Christ might be glorified. May God give all of us wisdom for this path!
I think Russell is the reverent one in our family. I feel bad for my punchy-ness in my earlier posts. Just know that I've shed a tear or two over this issue...
Maybe my flippancy reveals my bitterness from missing out on that fresh pine smell!
ah...c'mon sharon....I think it is totally healthy and appropriate to call MacArthur a quack from time to time! He can't have it in the bag ALL the time. :) I still think this (and all topics) are better discussed over warm popcorn and cool lemonade!
Well, that's clever to take the clear meaning of what I said and turn it into something else that supports the point you're trying to make but I'm afraid it's not that easy.
Christmas is, at it's essence and by definition the celebration of the birth of Christ.
It is not lost on children that the grandest, most exciting, magical time of year is all for the express purpose of celebrating the birth of Christ.
If—and I'll grant that it's a pretty big "if"—Christ is the center of our lives, our celebrations of Christmas will Christ-honoring whether or not they include evergreens or Santa in a hula skirt.
What Matt said.
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