So many old movies and new ones--each year--speak of the “magic” of Christmas. And magical it is. It’s an escape and/or vacation from our existence in a less desired realm. And I understand it all! And I also understand that the “magic” is really sorcery created by the human soul. It is a blessing and a torment.
Every year untold millions of people (maybe more) start mumbling, grumbling and agonizing in early fall about the upcoming year-end holiday season. The thought of extra expenses and budget deficits, traffic jams, crowded malls and stores, decorating, wrapping presents, etc. press us and stress us months before the real thing hits. Retailers open their pockets wide and show off their marketing skills to seduce as many as possible to spend as much as possible. While most people complain about the whole thing, many can see a little pleasantness that could be derived from just having nice family dinners and enjoying the beauty of lighted homes and buildings. No presents, no spending frenzies. Uh oh, here comes the warm fuzzy feelings. Then, a festive mood is “created” in the land, and as we get closer to winter, the hypnotic march begins. The love/hate relationship dictates its orders with dread, resignation, anticipation and hope, and a helplessness to break free. The few who have broken free are looked upon as outcasts and haters of God. But what has God got to do with the madness?
Not all celebrate Christmas because of a love for God. The word “Christmas” was created by a religious affiliation. Religions stand “for” God, but not very closely. There were no such celebrations in the early Church, nor were there references to lifting Jesus up one day over another. Many Christians know that Jesus wouldn’t have been born in December because shepherds weren’t in the fields during that cold month. But that is not the subject of this article. The world-wide reverence given the Christmas holiday and the source of it is being addressed. God is not a holiday, and God does not require us to have a party every December 25th. Why, then, does it happen?
What power drives the continual uplifting and celebrations of the Christmas season? There is definitely a subliminal drive from our yesterdays, a sentimentality. Our heartstrings are strummed. Oh, for children and child-like adults there is a sense of fun and excitement at getting presents (the Santa Clause element). And most people enjoy buying gifts to surprise others, even if they can’t afford to. There IS a real beauty in giving. There IS a warmth in the thoughts of seeing family members and friends. But it’s the decorative settings that lift us into a magical place or feeling that something is really special about the “season”. We get caught up in the facade. The more decorations and seasonal music, the more glowing Christmas trees, the more euphoric is the high created. Stores play Christmas music, TV commercials create a backdrop of secret, mystical goings-on. It could be fun if it wasn’t affecting us so deeply–affecting our reason, and to all too many--inflicting pain.
We can see the same persons throughout the year, but when the stage is set and illuminated with yuletide stimulations, we fall in line with the props and familiar cues that are ghosts of Christmas’ past. That same person that we saw last week seems to have more value. We need them more. We are happier to see them. What spell has been cast? It’s all about what we have made happen, about what we have created in lights and sounds and visual displays. We send “prompts” to our mind to prepare to visit and experience something enchanted. Decorations, music about love and caring, sounds of laughter, brightly colored and beautifully wrapped presents, persons dressed in their best, special cookies, candies and foods, trinkets and remembrances that pull on our emotions. Hopes are high for goodwill toward men. But the next day we awaken from the spell. We drop back down into our lives and are glad its over for another year. The fantasy has ended and the atmosphere of worship dissolves. The drug has worn off. Hope fades and reality sets in. We’re back to the old routine of death and darkness (hell).
Couldn't it be true that we celebrate the Christmas season because we need it so much? Something to look forward to, to keep our otherwise low expectations for life alive. No doubt, the holiday has become the god, but having it is better than no god at all. All religious holidays are man-made, but our hopes in them, our need for them have turned them into idols. They are remembrances that stir our hearts and memories, and we become pawns to them. Oh that God, himself, could receive that kind of affection and loyalty from us 365 days a year.
Because as a nation (in the USA) and in many other countries, the celebration of Christmas has been exalted so highly, all who are not part of some kind of celebration, get-together or party, are ostracized–emotionally. For all confined persons, for soldiers and for the homeless, hopelessness increases, and hearts are heavy. Loneliness is deeper, longing for family is greater, the need to be accepted is stronger, and depression taps on too many shoulders. Actually, it is oppression, as the perpetrator is the human soul. Our beliefs in the “high” of the holiday season–even though it is purely an illusion–manipulates us, torments us, leads us astray. We become manipulated by the sorcery of our souls (our minds, memories, emotions). It’s a spell cast by our own belief system as the power of the human spirit separated from God creates its own god and worships.
Speaking of “the baby Jesus”, Jesus has not been a baby for over 2000 years, so it would be nice if we could move forward. Truthfully, though–at this time of year--God’s status doesn’t seem to be as important as the reality that He in some way exists. An enlightened sister has shown me God’s heart in this matter. The doll in the nativity scene representing Jesus is a "drawing near" of a needed reality. Even though the doll isn’t God, a replica of a person who lived offers hope to those who haven’t touched God in a more real way. We celebrate to reach out from our needs and hopes. And God knows we have those needs, but He wants to be the fulfillment. While our reliance on the outward takes His place, it also expresses a sincere need to touch the Creator.
Although I have not celebrated Christmas for many years, I understand the need for it. I feel the pull of the “spirit” when old movies are played about Christmas miracles and reunions and the like. But I also know this is a lower voice broadcasting, and I have been set free of it. I love many persons who love Christmas, so I will not bash their involvement, and I will partake of the same space as them with peace and love. I have no condemnation because I understand. To take away something so deeply rooted in tradition and culture would be an injustice without having a replacement to be immediately planted in the soul. In this case the old would be Christmas–a counterfeit of worship to God, and the new is Emmanuel–God with us.
When we know he is with us everyday, we no longer need outward observances or visits to the past. God is wonderfully alive and not only with us, but in us as the Holy Spirit. When we awaken to that truth, Jesus starts communicating his love for us right where we are, and we can celebrate His life everyday. I exhort all to believe that this ascension is possible. We can be set free from the sorcery of “the holiday season”. For the Son of God loved us first and celebrates our life by abiding with us everyday. This is the true cause for celebration, with no end in sight!
