"Jesus is the reason for the Season". You've heard this, I'm sure. If you are like me (and chances are some of you are) you were raised in an environment that didn't necessarily celebrate Christmas Day as the actual birthday of Jesus. Honestly, that's putting it mildly. We knew that Jesus wasn't born on the 25th of December and so we sort of looked down our noses at those who sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus on Christmas Day. As my dad used to say, "We have let our feelings about Catholics cause us to lose an appreciation for the birth of Jesus." I think he speaks truth in this case.
Let me say, right off, that, yes, we know Jesus probably wasn't born on December 25th. It is cold in Palestine in December, shepherds wouldn't be out "with their flock" that time of year...blah, blah, yadda, yadda. Yeah, we get it. There are lots of scholars that think Jesus was born in September....or April. Does is matter? Isn't the important thing (the most important thing) is that he was born at all? Don't you think the reason for Christmas has shifted anyway to one of gifts, sales, food, and schmaltzy Christmas specials on TV? Santa is the star of the Season. Or so it would seem if you survey our popular culture and media.
But it doesn't have to be that way. We can decide, for ourselves and our families, what is the meaning of Christmas. It could be a whole season of giving....giving away clothes we no longer wear, giving away food to those in need, giving away acts of service to volunteer organizations. It could be a whole season of remembering.....remembering those who came before us and gave us a solid family grounded in faith and love (or remembering our commitment to be different from those who came before us and didn't give those things). It could be a season of worship.....worshipping a God who came down and lived among us only to die for us. It could be a season of family....family playing together, praying together, sharing joy together. The possibilities are endless and as varied as there are families out there.
So, what is the reason for the Season in your family? By all means, talk about the birth of Jesus....everyone else is and that's a good thing. And spend some time thinking about and discussing the reason for the Season. Christmas is all around and a point will be made....never doubt that your kids are learning something....be the one to direct what they are learning.
NEXT: Kids & Christmas: Part 3 - Gimme
No comments:
Post a Comment