Christmas Joy

There's a lot of discontent in some circles about the way our culture does Christmas. It's too commercialized, they say, too materialistic. What they say has some merit. Giving gifts has become such a regular part of our yearly routine that we feel entitled to it or fail to notice it much. We give our shopping list of requests to our relatives, friends, and significant others, and we act surprised at the particulars of the gifts they pick out for us. It's really easy to be disillusioned with the traditions when you step back and take a look at all we do, and some go so far as to suggest removing gifts from the picture completely to get back to the heart of the holiday.

I don't think giving gifts is far from the original spirit of Christmas, though. I think back to the story of the angels who visited the shepherds and what they said.

Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

— Luke 2:10-12, NIV

A bunch of country farm hands get the completely unexpected opportunity to be witnesses of a gift to the entire world. This is at the heart of the story of Christmas: God gives a gift that is unprecedented, unprovoked, and undeserved, and the only reasonable response is great joy. I can't help but think that many of the children who have not learned to take tradition for granted taste a bit of this joy. Reveling in the pure bliss of simply receiving something good for no good reason is surely an appropriate part of Christmas.

My challenge to myself and to anyone silly enough to be reading this tonight or in the morning is this: Try to forget that the advent of Christmas is certain, and receive it as a pure gift. Let it not be an entitlement, nor an obligation, nor even a yearly tradition, but rather a spontaneous outpouring of generosity and good will that can only be met with joy.

Merry Christmas!