Some Thoughts on Christmas

Black Friday is the worst way possible to start the Christmas season. It is the single most shameful manifestation of American consumerist society. It starts the month during which we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with our collective sights firmly set on what most of our culture seems to worship: stuff.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against giving gifts on Christmas, or even getting gifts, for that matter. Gifts, in fact, are a way to commemorate the first Christmas. In case you forgot in your mad dash to get your hands on the latest electronics for deep discounts, our gifts at Christmas are meant to echo the gifts that the wise men left the newborn babe in Bethlehem, and I don’t think the wise men were paying their credit cards off until the second Christmas.

Of course, everyone knows all of this. No one will honestly say that they love Christmas for the mad shopping sprees and expensive booty that they rake in. But I even have a problem with what people claim as the “Reason for the Season” when they’re being honest.

“It’s about serving others,” they say. Or, “It’s about spending time with family.”

Okay. Those things are nice, and are some of the things that I enjoy about Christmas. But, whereas getting gifts is a tertiary benefit of the season, those other reasons are secondary. The primary reason we celebrate Christmas is to commemorate the birth of the Son of God, who was born to “save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). Because of that birth over two thousand years ago, and the Atonement that that baby would ultimately perform, all of our service and all of our family relationships would be meaningless.

I like to imagine myself in the fields with the shepherds who were watching over their fields by night. I wonder what it would have been like to suddenly see an angel and hear him make the pronouncement, “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Would I have known that I was witnessing the second most important moment in the history of the world? Would I have reached out to touch the newborn Christ? Would I have recognized in Him the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

It is because of Him, his birth, life, and Atoning sacrifice (which is the most important moment in the history of the world) that makes all our service and our cherished relationships meaningful. Without Him, no matter much service we did in this life, we, with those whom we serve, would all be condemned to die and stay that way forever. Without Him, we would have no hope of seeing our family again after this life. Because He now lives, we will all live again. Because He took upon Himself our sins, we can overcome them, and one day live the life that our Heavenly Father lives with our families with us. He is not only the “Reason for the Season,” He is the reason for everything. He is the only thing that makes life worth living.

Of course, all of you know that, and I thank any of you who have read this far for humoring me as I put some of my thoughts into words. So, I will reward all of you faithful readers out there. Do yourselves a favor and get a copy of the film The Nativity Story. It’s a magnificent film that tells the story of Christ’s birth with great reverence. If it’s too late to enjoy it this year, get it in time for next Christas. It’ll be a great addition to your Christmas movie collection, alongside It’s a Wonderful Life, Elf, and A Christmas Story.