Every December there are people who lament that Christ has been taken out of Christmas. Greetings of “Happy Holidays” grate on their nerves, and anyone who shortcuts the holiday to “X-mas” is met with a correction. But can I make a small suggestion?
Let’s stop being so critical.
Yes, there’s a secular element to Christmas. There’s Santa and Rudolph and elves. {For the sake of brevity I won’t bother to go into details on Pagan roots.} But there’s also gift-giving and generosity and kindness. All of which I think we agree are wonderful things.
So here’s the bottom line: As Christ-followers, it’s not our job to police Christmas.
Yes, it has a deep meaning to us. But for many other people in this world it has a different meaning. And pointing out flaws in their celebration does absolutely nothing to draw them to Christ during this season. It only widens the divide.
In fact, most Christian families straddle the divide themselves. I know we do in my home. We make Christmas cookies and gingerbread houses and watch “Elf” and hang up stockings. Some families do Santa or Elf on a Shelf or hang mistletoe or host a White Elephant gift exchange. I mean, if we stretch it we can probably find some spiritual significance in all of it, but the reality is…a lot of things are just plain fun.
So brothers and sisters, let non-believers have their season. It’s okay. It doesn’t lessen the significance of ours. Christmas doesn’t have to be either/or. In fact, even for Christians, it’s both/and.
It’s deeply meaningful and fun. It’s about the hope of the world and showing kindness to others. It’s about the quiet anticipation of Advent and belting out “ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU” every time it plays on the radio. It’s about Jesus and silly White Elephant gifts.
It’s not either/or.
Instead of being critical, let’s be the “and” during this season. Instead of correcting people or being saddened by our culture’s lack of Christ in Christmas, let’s show them what it looks like to honor Christ in Christmas. Let’s have fun and go to our neighbor’s “X-mas” party and be open about the deeper meaning of season while also embracing the lighter elements. Let’s forge real relationships instead of operating as keyboard warriors, and pray for God to give us a heart of compassion and wisdom as we engage with others this season.
Even if the one we’re engaging is the recipient of our White Elephant Gift.
Whether we like it or not, there is a secular element to Christmas. And if someone isn’t a Christian, why would we expect anything different? Let’s stop trying to own the holiday and embrace that it’s not either/or. It’s both/and.
And we should do our best to embody the “and” in order to draw people to the deeper significance.
