Whoever Heard of the Christ in Christmas?

           As you hear “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” for the ninetieth time as you walk into a green and red bedecked department store, don’t you wonder just what you are being sold about Christmas? If you still believe in Santa Claus, then do not continue reading this as you are sure to be very disillusioned.

          We have built up Christmas to be a very commercial holiday, with all the décor and wrappings in stores as early as September and mid-October. It has centered around presents and Santa Claus, the ever-loving giver of gifts, but I wonder if everyone has forgotten how Christmas was really begun.

          There were angels, shepherds, and two newlyweds involved. There was an overworked innkeeper who turned the couple away. But most of all, there was a baby, who was the Christ(see Matthew Ch.1-2). For over 400 years the Jewish people had awaited the coming of the Messiah and he came into the world in the form of a tiny baby.

          This might be something you have heard already, but for many, I know, it is not. Most people know “The Night before Christmas” poem far better than the basic storyline of the coming of Jesus Christ.

          Last Christmas I joined a group from my church at a local mall where we sang carols to passing shoppers in the food court. All was well and merry until we attempted to pass out pamphlets briefly detailing the Christmas message. We told those present what it was about, asked them if they wanted it, and were open to discussion or just listening to them. If someone declined, we simply wished them a Merry Christmas and went on our way.

          All of this had been detailed to those in charge of the mall beforehand and they had agreed with our proposal. A few angry security guards came and confiscated the materials we were passing out, however, saying that they didn't want to deter shoppers from the premise by allowing them to be assaulted by an unauthorized religious organization. The whole situation was a miscommunication between those in authority and the mall cops, but it left me wondering: what is wrong with people hearing the true story of Christmas?

          I implore you, however, to question the commercialism of Christmas, which focuses on the importance of gifts to prompt the American population to purchase, and learn about how Christmas was really started instead. It is about the coming of the Savior of all the world. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

          This Christmas, think about the greatest gift of all. Even if you do not believe in God, at least make the effort to discover how the holiday you are celebrating came to be.