Blah, blah, blah

Christmas 2010

Christmas. My favorite time of the year.

This year, however, is vastly different than in holiday’s past. Why? Two things stand out for my wife and myself this season. While Christmas is considered a time of giving, my wife and I this year can not. At least not in a material gift-giving sense.

It isn’t because we are unwilling, but because we are unable. The very reason we are unable to give gifts this season has, in fact for us, clarified the spiritual aspect of Christmas. Bringing it that much more into focus.

Give vs Receive
Giving vs receiving. The role each plays during the holiday season is magnified ten-fold when feeling the pinch financially. It doesn’t matter if it’s the loss of a job or an unanticipated decrease in family income by losing one of two or more breadwinners. If there is scarcely enough money for the bare essentials, where is the money coming from for a sleigh-load of presents?

Certainly we would like to be generous in our gift-giving. But not this year. I have no idea how a family of four or five would handle a hard candy Christmas. It makes me shudder just thinking about it.

Children shouldn’t have to wonder if there will be presents under the tree. Or if there will even be a tree.

“Why did Santa forget us this year?” A young child may lament. How does a heart-broken parent explain? It brings a tear to my eye just thinking about it. For some, grandma and grandpa may come through in a pinch. But that is not always the case. 

The last couple of years have been hard financially and emotionally on many people in the United States--and all over the world. Things may be picking up for Wall Street. But, Main Street is still feeling the pinch.

Frankly, I would rather find my Christmas stocking empty than heavy with lumps of coal. Santa knows...
  
But the holidays are not all about presents, parties and bows. Nestled in between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is the humble, most solemn holy day of Christmas. The day celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Katy and I are anticipating a quite Christmas together after visiting with family. The tree is up and decorated. An Eskimo-theme Nativity adorns the breakfast nook. Colored lights are intertwined with faux pine garland draping the bookshelves. Stuffed Snoopy Santas stand side-by-side with Victorian-era Santa figurines on a writing desk. It’s holiday eclectic. I make no apologies.

Here’s the bottom line for us this year: Christmas is coming. Presents optional. And that’s okay. Sometimes it’s good to remember what Christmas is all about. And it’s not us. It’s not expensive presents. It’s not about turkey and all the trimmings. (Actually, that’s kind of a bonus. A small turkey has made its way to our freezer this year. Thanks to sister Liz!)

Merry Christmas vs Happy Holiday(s) Controversy
The holy day of Christmas can be easily separated from the far more commercial entity known as the “holiday” season. Yet, both can co-exist as long as it is understood that they are not co-equals.

Linus Van Pelt said it best when he quoted the Gospel of Luke, verses 8 through 14 from the King James Version:

"'And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men (“Or all”, as my wife would say. This is the 21st century!)'"

 "......That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." Cue commercial.

The holiday season starts with Thanksgiving. Advent begins. Moving on to Hanukkah, it migrates to Winter Solstice,  Kwanza and ends with the New Year. Sandwiched within is Christmas. A season of holidays. Plural.

Celebrate them all. Or none. It’s up to you and your spiritual compass. In our home we try to recognize them all in some small way, but the birth of Christ is most important to us.

And so I finish with wishing you all a Happy Holiday! Because there are many and I don’t feel like ticking them off individually every time I greet someone. It’s too much like work. As we get closer to the ‘day’ I will wish you a Merry Christmas, and finally Happy New Year. It’s a season of holidays. Enjoy them all!

Note: For those who scream to the mountain top about the hijacking of “Christ” in Christmas, he has hasn’t gone anywhere. The Christ in Christmas remains firmly in place. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The only people who see a war on Christmas are those folks decrying that there is a war on Christmas. If someone wishes you a “Happy Holiday” be a good Christian, go ahead and wish them a “Merry Christmas”. They won’t be offended. Neither should you.