What's Wrong With Christmas

How I Would Change Christmas

The word, "Christmas" is derived from Christ Mass - celebration of Christ. The intent is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Emmanuel (God with us), etc.
Christmas should be a time of celebration because with the birth of Christ, God the Father provided salvation from the bondage of sin and eternal damnation to all who believe. It is something to celebrate: the birth of the Savior - freedom, salvation, eternal life.

Much of what takes place in the name of Christmas is not relevant celebration and has no meaning with regard to Christ himself. I don’t know exactly what I would suggest as positive, meaningful ways to celebrate Christ, other than the well known practices of the faithful: reading the Word, praying, singing, giving, worshiping, praising, etc. But, I do know some things that I definitely would eliminate from Christmas if I could:

Santa Clause.
The original concept of St. Nicholas, the Saint who freely gave presents in the name of Christ was not so bad, but the mythical Santa Clause is a distraction from the true person of Christmas - Jesus Christ. The idea embedded in children’s minds of getting whatever they desire rather than giving cheerfully to others is blatantly anti-Christian. Also, the outright lie about the existence of Santa Clause, living at the North Pole, making toys all year and distributing them on Christmas Eve is absurd and contributes nothing to the celebration of Christ and is a distraction from the true meaning of Christmas. The concept of Santa Clause has become a symbol of commercialism and a mockery of Christ. Parents try to teach their children not to lie but they allow the lie of Santa Clause to persist in the minds of their children, and reinforce it, Then, eventually they have to tell the children, "There is no Santa Clause." At least in some cases, the children think, "You lied to me" and wonder throughout the rest of their childhood and perhaps even adulthood when is someone going to tell me, "There really is no Christ." Of course, along with Santa Clause, I would do away with all the surrounding mythology, including:
Reindeer, Rudolf, included.
Flying sleighs
Santa’s helper elves
All the mushy movies based on the theme, there really is a Santa Clause.

Christmas Trees.
I doubt the value of Christmas Trees and I personally could easily commemorate Christ’s Mass without a decorated tree in the house or outside the house. There has been a lot of rationalization in support of Christmas trees as a bona-fide artifact related to Christmas. I can rationalize that it is an act of celebration that suggests such things as "light of the world," angels looking down, the spirit of giving, but, I ask, "When you put up a Christmas tree, with lights, ornaments, garlands, and such, how does that make you think about Jesus and his birth. What is the relevance?

Commercialism.
The business of selling, buying, and giving of Christmas presents has become nothing more than crass commercialism. Businesses are trying to make lots of money. Gift givers are trying to fulfill perceived obligations. Nerves are jangled. Family finances are strained. Church members will give presents beyond their means and rob God of His tithe in the process. I have no argument against modest, meaningful, gift giving done in the right attitude, but today’s Christmas commercialism is a distraction from the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Parties.
I’m not against parties, dinners, and gatherings that are focused on the celebration of Christ. But, office Christmas parties and others which turn into drunken blasts are anti-Christian. Many of the people participating in such parties make no claim of being born-again believers in Christ, yet they party in the name of Christ, ie., "Christmas Party." They get drunk, they flirt, they frequently engage in sex, drugs, and other anti-Christian activities totally wrong for celebrating Christ.

Christmas Music.
The music that I would reject from Christmas is all the music that has nothing to do with Christ or celebration of His birth, to name a few:
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Jingle Bell Rock
Santa Clause is Coming To Town
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause
Santa Baby
Here Comes Santa Clause
Please Daddy Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas
etc.

I’m not suggesting that we do away with Christmas. I am suggesting, and wishing, that we could make Christmas a true celebration of Christ the Savior. I don’t mean we should be dour, dejected, sad-faced, or depressed. Christmas should be a cheerful, relaxed, time of celebration. Ring the bells, sound the trumpets, blow the horns, shout with joy, sing with praise, preach with boldness, play the music, eat good food, give loving gifts, help the poor, have parades, gather together for fun and fellowship. But, in it all give glory and praise to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit - the Three in One - and give thanks for the Grace of God - His gift of Salvation.