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Rambling's From The Rev. |
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Pastor Jim
Johnson The 25 Days of Christmas? |
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I was watching a movie the other night on the Disney Family Channel with my kids. During the commercials they kept advertising the upcoming movies they would have during what they were calling “The 25 Days of Christmas.” Culturally, this has become the Christmas season rather than what we Christians have traditionally called the Advent season. And instead of the 12 days of Christmas being celebrated beginning on Christmas Day and going ‘til Epiphany Day on January 6, people begin tearing down their Christmas decorations immediately following Christmas Day and preparing for the next Hallmark holiday.
I suppose we can get all bent out of shape over this Christian holiday being usurped by commercialism and cultural traditions that have nothing to do with the church’s celebration, but Christians did usurp it from a pagan culture in the first place. Originally, December 25 was celebrated as the Winter Solstice and was a drunken fest. The Christians began celebrating it as Christ’s birth (even though no one knew when Jesus was actually born) to observe the “true” coming of the Son (vs. sun) and God’s shining of the light into the darkness.
The question is: does it really matter what our culture celebrates? Does it really matter that there are “Christmas” traditions that have nothing to do with the Christian holy day? Does it matter that Christians even embrace some of these traditions (as long as they don’t go against the very faith we confess)? Does it matter whether this man-made season called Advent (there’s nothing in the Bible which determines we celebrate these days as such) has become the Christmas season instead, as long as we still give witness to the need for preparation, anticipation, repentance, expectation, etc.?
What we really mourn is the change and loss of entitlement and position in our society, along with grieving the loss of traditions that have been dear to our hearts. For a long time, the church dictated to the culture how and when things could and would be celebrated, if they were to be considered Christian. Not so anymore. And it has become so pervasive that there’s somewhat of a resignation that has taken place – “if we can’t beat ‘em (and we can’t), then we might as well join ‘em.” Others rail against it and insist to be “true or authentic” Christians we hold fast and not succumb to cultural influences.
Personally, I wonder if we cling to some traditions to the point of elevating them as holy in and of themselves rather than a man-made practice which points to something larger than itself. Does it matter if Advent is becoming Christmas? Maybe we need to celebrate Advent during November instead. I’m just not sure it’s worth getting an ulcer over. What I think is important is the proclamation and celebration of the incarnation. Isn’t that what it’s really all about?
Peace be with you.
Pastor Jim
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