Christmas Teaches Materialism

Harsh to consider that at Christmas we may be instilling in our children the very values that Jesus came to overcome. For so many who don't understand Christmas, the holiday is about lights and presents. As people greet me through the month of December one of their opening questions is, "have you finished your shopping for Christmas?"  I can honestly say yes because it didn't do any. 

When occasionally I get an opportunity to explain my thinking about the commercialism of the holiday and taking back the holiday to honor The Lord rather than getting caught up in madness, I receive the reply that it would be fine for th too if it weren't for the children. The children?  

Are we failing to neglect worship of The Lord because our children expect presents?  Where did they get this expectation and how are they going to be protected from the idolatry of materialism if they don't learn it as children. In splurging on our children in this way we teach them self indulgence and they grow up expecting over the top experiences that are not real life and have very little to do with celebrating the birth of our Savior. 

We do not need to abandon celebration at Christmas, but if we are to celebrate - can't we center the celebration on Jesus and not ourselves?  I wonder what might happen in the Kingdom if all the billions of dollars spent on gifts were redirected to our local churches or to missionaries in the field sharing the Christmas story with those who have never heard. 

What if we were to do some special service for an unbelieving neighbor to lighten their load and to demonstrate good will that Jesus offers to all. Would that not potentially open the door to share the gospel and to win a soul for the Kingdom?  

What if we hosted a birthday party for Jesus and shared how we have the hope if Heaven and the promise of his spirit here if only we would believe in Him and trust Him?  What if our believing was redirected from Santa to Jesus the greatest giver of them all. 

Too many of us have made family, friends and food the center of the celebration while Jesus is pushed aside. Consider in your community, how many churches offer a Christmas worship service?  If we can be with family and friends and worship The Lord together that is wonderful. But the center if this celebration should always be a remembrance if Jesus' coming and a reminder that he will return again soon and were should be waiting expectantly. 

I realize that these ideas are foreign particularly to American culture, but Jesus can that we might have more than a trinket. He offers reconciliation between God and man. With Him we have salvation of our sins because he took our place and paid the price to redeem us.