As I walked into my gym for a workout, I saw this stocking hanging amongst other Christmas decorations and it immediately set my mind racing.
OK, so most of us would never admit to wanting it all. But hey, isn’t that the message our culture tells us? Get, get, get, get. Don’t have the savings? Then put it on credit. Make your Christmas wants clear and make sure your loved ones know it if they don’t come through for you.
In our better moments, we know this isn’t what Christmas is supposed to be about. And yet, the pressure is ON. We’ve been conditioned in ways we can’t even detect to have certain expectations and to keenly feel those expectations from loved ones.
When I think about this, I realize this is part of why I struggle with Christmas and why there are lot of Grinches out there. We just don’t want to be part of this emotional cesspool of expectations and disappointments.
So what do we want? Let me venture a viewpoint: we want a day that is truly HOLY. A day that transcends the numbing daily routine of life – not because we try to make it different, but because it IS different.
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, where winter tends to be colder and darker, Christmas can be seen as a light in that darkness. As hope in what can feel like a hopeless season for sun-deprived people. In other words, holy.
How is this possible? Let’s consider the spiritual point of view. All the best known faith systems articulate what we can (and must) do to connect with our creator. It’s up to us to pray more, sacrifice more, worship more, give more, meditate more. How can any of us know when it’s enough?
Now consider Jesus of Nazareth, who many people believe is the Son of God. Most people who believe in Him and follow Him understand that at its heart, Christmas is not about us doing. It’s about God doing. Christmas is about our creator seeing our broken condition and reaching out to us — coming to earth as a helpless baby born in an obscure Middle Eastern village.
We never have to wonder if we’ve prayed enough, sacrificed enough, worshipped enough, given enough. God did the heavy lifting and that child grew up to change the world through outrageous ideas like loving your enemy, forgiving no matter what and making it clear that eternity in Heaven is available to EVERYONE, no matter who they are (or aren’t), no matter what they’ve done (or haven’t done).
So what difference does that make to you and me? When you accept the gift of Jesus Christ — who sacrificed His life to make up for all the wrong things we’ve done and the right things we haven’t done — this is what will happen:
- You’ll see all people with new eyes as you understand they are loved by God just as much as you.
- You’ll realize that life isn’t about getting rich, buying the biggest flat-screen TV going and getting praise and admiration from others.
Jesus explained what it’s about in one of the original-source documents about His life: “Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behaviour: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them.” - You’ll come to understand that this life isn’t all there is — in fact, it’s just the introduction to eternity.
- You’ll start to love Christmas because it’s concrete, life-changing evidence of God’s powerful, active love for His creation.
Does this make sense? Yes or no, post your thoughts below and let’s have a conversation.
Frank's Cottage 
In the immortal words of Linus, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” May your Christmas be merry and bright, filled with God’s light and love, Frank!
Right back atcha, Martha! 🙂
Great post Frank!
The true meaning of Christmas – purloining Pagan traditions to ease their conversion to Christianity.
Thanks for your comment. Please note that Frank’s Cottage is not meant for atheists. It’s written for people who are open to spirituality. Merry Christmas! 🙂
In fact , the idea of loving one’s enemy and forgiving etc had been around long before the arrival of the character Jesus of Nazareth and there is plenty of documented evidence from such diverse sources as Egypt to China.
I could provide links or at least sources if you are interested.
In fact, very little of what Jesus said was original at all.
And of course you know that Christmas absolutely nothing to do with Jesus of Nazareth, yes?
Thanks for your thoughts. In Jewish culture 2,000 years ago, these were absolutely outrageous ideas that set the religious establishment against Jesus.
These ideas of forgiveness and loving one’s enemy continue to be outrageous ideas today.
So you are unaware of the other sources that also taught such philosophy?
What evidence do you have to support the claim that these ideas would have been outrageous?
I’ve heard of these other sources. But that’s not what Frank’s Cottage is all about. You’ll find all kinds of Internet resources to answer your questions in these matters.
You state these ideas were ”outrageous”, when in fact there is plenty of evidence that flatly refutes this.
If you are aware of these other sources do you feel it more honest that you at least investigate and verify them before making sweeping statements?
Please show me where the command to love your enemies isn’t outrageous today.
Please show me where letting a woman off the hook for adultery wasn’t outrageous in Jewish society 2,000 years ago.
Are you actually interested in reading, or are you merely challenging my assertion?
Slight shift of goalposts, but this is okay.
Are you now saying Jesus’ message was outrageous solely for Jewish society?
Read my answer again. I was referring only to the second item. Did you miss that?
Good article Frank. You made some interesting points!
I totally agree & love this. Thank you for sharing with me Frank. I just had to share it on my Facebook wall. God Bless you & yours this Christmas & always.
Right back atcha, Dawn. 🙂
Christmas is a wonderful secular (its roots are in paganism) holiday but to use it to worship the Son is forbidden by the Father. See Deuteronomy 12:29-32 and Colossians 2:8
Thanks for your interpretation, Phil. I’m happy to agree to disagree. Merry Christmas! 🙂