I'm Not a Scrooge
I had a recent conversation with someone about getting ready for Christmas and I was asked if we had our tree up. I replied that we generally don't do the tree and decorations. She asks, "Wow, are you a Scrooge?" No, I'm not a Scrooge. I just don't think the tree has anything to so with Christmas and distracts from it.
The woman I was speaking to visibly started getting excited. If she had on sleeves I think she would have rolled them up. She's says, "OK, I've got to hear this. What is Christmas about?"
As a Christian, I believe in Jesus Christ. He is God's begotten son born from a virgin. He walked this earth and was crucified for our sins. Christmas is the celebration of the birth and life of Jesus Christ. It's important that the focus of Christmas is Christ and not a tree or getting presents.
After saying all this the woman says, "Wow, that's not what I expected. People generally say it's just about spending time with family and that's it. It's never anything thought out like that." She looked a little disappointed because she didn't have a rebuttal.
Unfortunatley we get too caught up with the consumerism of this holiday. We start with "Black Friday" where people get trampled while trying to buy some hot new toy for their kid. For many, Christmas is another opportunity to add to our debt. We don't need to show our love for one another by buying expensive gifts. Where's the compassion for our brothers and sisters? I'm guitly of this myself. Each day, I have remind myself that there are so many people who aren't as furtunate. I've been blessed so that I can be a blessing to others.
Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way." - Matthew 15:32
For me and my family Christ is the reason for Christmas and the two cannot be separated.
Merry Christmas!
Subscribe via RSS