Despite the three “My”s in the title, this post is not about
just me; it’s about my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and my love for Him, and
my joy for this greatest of all gifts that God gave to all the people of the
world. It’s about my excitement that Jesus survived to the appointed time
through the grace and love of God, his family, his friends, and his followers.
It’s about what he taught me through the Gospel stories. And it’s about what
God taught me through the prophets and believers and the stories they told that
were captured in those books of the Bible written so many centuries ago. Note
too that while this is written in first person singular, my wife contributed to
this piece and she and I are of one accord; we together speak these things with
one voice, and one heart.
I firmly believe that what I understand about the Bible, and
how I live consistent with that understanding, and my complete and
unconditional acceptance of Jesus Christ as my Lord and personal savior are
sufficient for my salvation and entry into God’s kingdom here on earth and in
Heaven. Beyond what I understand about the Bible, I do not know conclusively
what else Jesus may have taught, nor do I choose to assume anything beyond his
lessons and stories documented in the Gospels. Consequently, I do not believe
that God will condemn me to eternal life in purgatory or hell for choosing to
celebrate the giving of His matchless gift, Love, through His son Jesus Christ.
So how do I explain to my grandchildren how and why I choose
to celebrate this great gift from God? This is what I will tell them.
I choose to celebrate Christ’s birth because for me it is an
overwhelmingly joyful event and for me the greatest gift humans were ever
given. I know that it was not the custom or the culture to celebrate birthdays
two thousand years ago; but that was then, this is now, and I choose.
I choose to celebrate Christ’s birth in late December
because it is a time of change, it is a time of clearing the slate, and it is a
time of preparing to start another season of life. In our climate it is a time
of peacefulness and quiet and stillness. It is a time of stark beauty. It is a
time of brightness in the night sky. It is a time of great expectations for the
future. I could just as easily choose to celebrate in the spring, another new
season, but that is a time of rebirth when I celebrate his death and
resurrection. I could choose to celebrate at the Jewish celebration of Sukkoth
which may or may not be a more accurate choice from the standpoint of the
ancient calendar. I do not choose because the Council of Nicaea chose the Feast
of Saturnalia nearly 1700 years ago. I do not choose because of the modern
culture I have lived in for over 60 years. That was then, this is now, and I
choose.
I choose to celebrate Christ’s birth with the giving of
gifts to those I love and cherish. God gave the greatest gift of all, His love
through His son. How can I not pass that gift along through the gift of my time
and love to my family and friends and even my enemies as Jesus taught me to do?
Will God condemn me if I give tokens of my love and affection along with that
love and affection? I don’t think so. Historically the Magi gave gifts to honor
Kings; gifts were not given on birthdays. That was then, this is now, and I
choose.
I choose to celebrate Christ’s birth by placing mementos of
God’s love, and my family’s love and of special events on a fir tree, a tree
that maintains its color through the seasons and reminds me of another of God’s
great gifts, this Earth and all life upon it. I could just as easily not keep
any mementos, or I could place them on a mantel, or a table, or a shelf.
Western Europeans used a tree for other special events and pagan purposes
centuries ago. But that was then, this is now, and I choose.
I choose
to celebrate Christ’s birth with the majority of my Christian community so we
can raise our voices together. I want to join my voice with others and
sing the beautiful and moving songs of the season; the songs of faith and joy
and love. I choose to celebrate in fellowship…I choose.
My
choice poses challenges, a kind of Christmas conundrum when it comes to those I
love who choose differently. I can settle into the gloom of our different
choices, or I can choose the fact that those I love still celebrate Jesus’
birth and life joyfully, however and whenever they choose to do so. And I
choose joy.
It troubles me that there is so much discord these days
about the holidays and the reason that Christmas was created and celebrated as
a holiday. It troubles me that consumerism and materialism have encroached on
the religious nature of the holiday. And it does trouble me that the decision
by the Romans to position Christmas on December 25 was in effect co-opting a
pagan celebration. But I believe it was done at least to some degree with the
intent of making disciples for Christ, and that’s not a bad thing.
No, I don’t believe God would condemn me to hell for
celebrating His son’s birth as I choose to, any more than He would condemn me
for choosing to worship as a Methodist instead of as a Calvinist or a Lutheran
or a Baptist or a Catholic.
It’s a long explanation that my grandchildren are not yet
ready for; and it will come out gradually as they begin to ask questions. Until
then I will happily celebrate Christmas at least twice each year, once with my
daughter and her family at Sukkoth, and once in December for me. In fact, I
think I’ll just celebrate Christmas every day of the year by giving the gift of
time, love, and the occasional gold, frankincense, and myrrh when I can’t be
the hands, feet and heart of Christ in person.
And to all of you readers out there, know that when I wish
you a Merry Christmas, it’s only because I know what I celebrate, but I don’t
know if you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Saturnalia, Ramadan, or
even Festivus. All I wish for you is joy and peace no matter how or what you
celebrate this season, your choice…Pops
Merry Christmas Uncle Terry!
ReplyDelete