My Beef About Christmas

       Judging by the post title, one would assume that I am somewhat of a Scrooge when it comes to the Christmas holiday. On the contrary, my friend. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays of all time. Both the secular side and the main reason for the season, Jesus' birth, delight me. 

       

       Before I get negative, I want to share some reasons why I love this season. People just seem to be all the more generous and cheerful. I love to see people outside of stores, sacrificing their time and warmth, to ring a bell for the Salvation Army. I love the cheeriness of all of the lights outside of people's homes, and on the town square. I love hot chocolate, warm scarves, mittens, light snowfall, ice skating, the glow of a Christmas tree and its homemade ornaments, cheesy Hallmark movies that all end the same, going to fun parties... I could go on and on. My favorite part, by far, is what Christmas is all about.

       I am so humbled every year when I hear the Christmas story. The Lord that I serve (sometimes begrudgingly) was willing to be born in a barn. He was willing to fully humble Himself and come to Earth in the form of a helpless babe, to be born in a filthy stable and to not even be known. My God didn't come to Earth and make a big fuss about His arrival, rather, He came just like every child does. The difference is, He came to save my soul, and every one else that is willing to accept His amazing gift of salvation and eternal life with Him in Heaven. He is the reason that Christmas is even a holiday. This brings me to my two major pet peeves with this season.

       My first pet peeve is that Christmas quickly becomes all about us. As a society, Americans tend to be extremely greedy and feel the need to take take take, and give a little here and there. I am appalled as I sit here that I looked on Twitter a while ago and saw that #walmartfights was trending. Seriously? The day that we all give thanks for the blessings that we have, that very same day, we go out and trample people. All for for a few dollars off of an item that we don't even need. I am all for giving gifts. It just depends where the heart is in all of it.

 

       My major pet peeve about the season, though, is all of the Christians. This statement sounds odd at first, but stick with me. All over my Facebook wall today all I see is, "Let's keep Christ in Christmas this season" and other slogans along that line. This simple statement really bugs me, every time I see it. This statement just shows our human nature, that we would give ourselves the credit to be able to take Christ out of the season, or out of anything for that matter. Christmas is all about Christ, it always has been and always will be. I understand where people are coming from when they say this, but let's rephrase it. How about "remember the reason for the season." It seems like a small detail, but it makes all the difference.

       I love this holiday, and remember all of my Christmases past very fondly. I remember every year, making a birthday cake for Jesus, and blowing out all the candles. After all, He is the reason for the season. As the Christmas season kicks off, don't forget to remember what it is all about. Enjoy this time of year. Enjoy loved ones, enjoy silly sweater parties, even enjoy the cold (especially when it seems unbearable). This is one of the most happy times of the year. Enjoy yourselves and have a Merry Christmas!

 Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ,the Lord.

Luke 2:11