Well, it's true. Christmas was something our family struggled with my whole life and just reflected the underlying problem of a pervasive mindset of legalism. You see, as a kid, each year we frankly didn't know what to do w/Christmas. Mom had such fond memories of Christmas as a kid so part of her wanted to celebrate it full throttle. On the other hand, there was also the idea pervasive around us of hotly opposing Christmas as a 'religious holiday' that Mom became downright afraid to have it at all. I don't blame her. She sincerely wanted to please the Lord and add social pressure to the mix...and legalism...well, you cannot blame her one bit. She's a godly woman who honestly couldn't decide what to do so it varied year to year.
As a result of sincere and serious conflict in our hearts, some Christmases we went ahead and put up some decorations...very careful to avoid any Nativity scenes, crosses, or any other such reference to Jesus. Yes, we were Christians but we knew the fact that Christmas was not the literal birthday of Jesus and therefore saw any celebration including Jesus as somehow sinful. So there were the Semi-Christmas years...the ones in which we celebrated Christmas but only in a secular, Jesus-less way. Bring on Santa, Frosty and Rudolph, but no Jesus. Ho, Ho, Ho....Merry Christ-less-Mas.
Then there were the years we were so focused on the rampant materialism, consumerism, and selfishness of the season and disgusted by it, we just didn't do Christmas at all except giving our family members a gift and having family time on Christmas. Mom worked in a grocery store and she could tell you that Christmas brought out the worst in people...so we felt jaded, like Christmas represented the worst of hypocritical people. Those years were just barren and sad from my perspective...and as a kid/teenager, when a year like that happened, all I could do was *sigh* and realize we were doing this out of conscience sake so suck it up and endure it...ball and chain Christianity. **Sigh** Moving on....
Then there were the confusing years of having made other Christian friends from other Christian 'tribes' who were horrified at our anti-Jesus stance at Christmas. They observed our Happy Holidays card w/a merry Santa and smiling Snowman and no Jesus and couldn't believe we professed Christianity at all. Then I was really confused. You mean the Atheists and I celebrated this holiday the same? More confusion....What do I do about Christmas?? I wanted what those Christians had...they seemed so joyous at Christmas and it wasn't because of the Santa, Frosty or Rudolph. During those years, all I could do was be envious. So much for my righteousness for not celebrating Christmas....:-)
The most liberating moment in my life in regards to Christmas came when I took a passage of scripture to heart from Romans 14:
5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
What's amazing is God makes room for different points of view! There is no 1 way to do Christmas. For those who truly feel Jesus is displeased in including him in the holiday and therefore regard this day as any other day...that is to God's Glory because in your devotion you are making a decision w/Christ as center. Yet, bearing it as a ball and chain is wrong and defeats the purpose. If this is how you truly feel Christ would have you spend Christmas...even though you regard it as any other day...regard it w/joy and w/Christ as center as in any other day. No ball and chain. No 'having-to- endure-act-of-piety'. Be joyous and spend it in a way that points to Jesus...as any other day. Don't exclude Him on ANY day. Basically, don't do what I did. :-) It brings no glory to God and only suffering to oneself...needless suffering.
For those who realize setting time aside to focus on Christ's birth and use it as a time to connect this w/the Gospel, and being salt/light in a dark world, we also are doing this to bring glory to God. There is this freedom in Christ and we do this to the glory of our Lord. Romans 14 is perfect in allowing for special days....holidays...that glorify Him in the celebrating.
So how do I spend Christmas now? As you can imagine, I pretty much throw myself in full throttle...like a child growing up in a famine starved country, suddenly in front of the fullest, most aromatic buffet ever seen...and I pile my plate high....:-)
Now I spend Christmas focused on the anticipation of Christ's incarnation on Earth (Advent)...trying in my feeble ways as they are...to keep Him central in the holiday that is honoring his birth into this fallen world. The fairy tale characters are kept as that...fairy tales like any fairy tale to bring joy to children...but heaven forbid they are the focus any longer. Christ centered...family oriented...bringing joy to adult and child alike. No more ball and chains for me...yet also no more judging. There is freedom in Christ...but I must be okay w/those who choose to not embrace it, and honor the Lord differently than I do. I must bless them and realize what I choose to do is no better than what they choose NOT to do. Gone is my heart of judgement. I'm so thankful, God makes room for diversity under the Cross...and under the Christmas tree. :-) Merry Christmas...or not...it's up to you...but to God be the Glory in all the choices we make in this life.
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