I may or may not have have mentioned that I was dismayed by the curriculum at the tall one's school last month when they did a count down to Halloween. If you didn't know it already, I don't actually have anything against Halloween. I have something against counting down to it.
Whelp- The tall one has no idea how many days are left before Thanksgiving day.
Oh, and I'm already cringing at the thought of a count down to Christmas. And I've been dwelling more and more on this. WHAT IS CHRISTMAS?
Yes, we know the technical history. Or if you don't, then get an education because it's important.
Not so important for a whole post.. but presume you know that Christ was not in Christmas originally. And presume you know that Christ was alive when the people who invented it (The Romans) were still calling it Saturnalia. That Mithra and tree stuff was added in later.
And to the point.. I'd celebrate Saturnalia too if it were still called that and had nothing to Christianity and everything to do with the days finally starting to get longer. It'd receive about as much investment from me as I give to the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving.
But what IS it? This Christmas?
Forget that.... what does GOD want it to be?
As a believer in the Word, and a believer in the chronicle that describes how Gods perfect son came to Earth and formed a perfect church. I have every faith and knowledge that what Jesus the Christ did was his father's will and it was made perfect through his life and words. If you don't know me, think about the word "perfect." Nope. Nothing better. Now think of the Christ putting in place on Earth a "perfect church." Teaching his disciples to evangelize (the specifics of making more Christians) and in his parting address telling them to go forth and preach to all the nations, teaching them to obey all that he had taught them. (Matthew 28) I personally think of Jesus' last words on Earth as having the import of a parting presidential address. Pretty important.
He was divine, and what he set up was a perfect church. All to say that it was perfect, didn't need any improvement, and actually didn't include Christmas.
Did the first Christians (who were Hebrew BTW) celebrate Saturnalia? Maybe. We don't know... but I am certain that their culture also was aware of the solstice that heralded the approaching of Spring. As a farmer or herdsman I imagine I'd be inclined to celebrate it too. As an Isrealite, I imagine I wouldn't do so as the Romans did. But I digress.
What does GOD want it to be? Does he mind or care that it's been bastardized into his birthday celebration where the priests then invited some slut-goddess to the party and then invited some characature of a nice guy in a red clown suit and finally stretched it into a celebration of abundance and capatalism? And now in the last decade I see a calling of people who want to restore it back to ... the original bastardization of Saturnalia. As though THAT sentiment is what pleases God.
Maybe it does. How would I know?
Who's to say that He doesn't love or at least appreciate a man made festival centered around His miracle- the virgin birth of his only son? Did you catch me there? Let me try again.
Who's to say that He doesn't love or at least appreciate a man made festival centered around His miracle- the burning of the lamp for 7 more days after the battle that reclaimed His temple?
I'll tell you who's to say about the latter. The Christ who walked in the temple in the portico of Solomon during the Feast of Dedication. (John 10)
Sooo... do I have a biblical example that Christ celebrated Hannukah? Or do I have a biblical example that God condones a (or any?) man made festival that is dedicated to him? Should I follow Christ's example and celebrate it too? Can I make one up myself and dedicate it?
In any event, I want to minimize what I know Christmas is NOT. Presents. I want to minimize presents. Did I say "eliminate"? Neh. Maybe make Christmas about GIVING instead.
One present for each child. That's it. And maybe even not a "well though out" one at that.
Take time before hand with them to make some crafts to give to whomever they choose. Ask their father to figure out one for them to give to their momma too. ('Cuz you know- I don't want to be left out of the receiving of presents!)
And buy a meaningful gift for someone we don't know. *flippant tone here* Like a goat from the world vision catalog.
A tree, sure. With decorations referring to miracle virgin birth of the Christ.. maybe not.
Fat guy in a red suit... the clown of Christmas... sure why not? Who doesn't love a clown?
Mistletoe and eggnog (actually I'll bastardize that and opt for Westsoy's Chocolate Peppermint Stick "nog").
Lights.
And maybe a prayer for snow.
If it would be pleasing to God.
