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 I
don’t know who thought of it first, but somewhere, sometime
Hollywood got the idea that Christmas needed to be saved. Now,
every year, new movies and television specials crop up with a
fascinating variety of heroes – from Tim Allen to Arnold
Schwarzenegger to this year’s Santa Buddies – who
accept the mission of saving Christmas. Most of these are
light-hearted feel-good movies that center on someone or something
that could keep Santa Claus from making his journey and delivering
his goodies. Yes, scriptwriters have invented everything from silly
Christmas-hating villains to imaginary “laws” that require Santa to
be married, all of them threatening to stop Santa in his reindeer
tracks. The characters are different, but the theme is the same: if
you save Santa, you save Christmas!
Lest anyone mistake me for Ebenezer Scrooge,
I’ll set the record straight and admit that I like some of these
shows. But the more I think about it, the more I’m bugged by their
message: Is the rescue of the “jolly old elf” all that it takes to
save Christmas? For that matter, does Christmas really need
saving? Most of my Christian friends seem to think so. We’ve all
noticed the culture war that flares up every year over manger scenes
and ‘holiday’ trees. I can’t tell you the number of emails I
receive enlisting Christians to fight to keep Christ in Christmas.
I’m told I should heartily respond, “Merry Christmas” in reply to
the more generic greeting, “Happy Holidays.” I’m supposed to point
out to everyone that there is no such thing as ‘Xmas.’ And it’s up
to me to forward these messages to at least ten people in my address
book. If I don’t, I’m labeled as just another liberal who doesn’t
care if the world erases Christ from Christmas. Christmas must be
saved and it’s up to me! The problem with thinking like this is
pretty simple. In the movies, if Santa is saved, Christmas is
saved. But Jesus is not Santa. He came to do the saving, not to be
saved – as if we could save Him! |
Some who read this might think I’m making an excuse to not
take a stand. Far from it! Christians should be bold for their
Lord. We should gladly offer the reply, “Merry Christmas.”
We should let the world know that we put up Christmas trees
and Christmas decorations and give Christmas presents
and attend Christmas programs. But, let’s remember to do it
in a way that honors the Christ of Christmas. Our belligerent
attitudes and angry words are a poor witness to the Jesus who came
to bring God’s good will to all people everywhere. Obviously, we
live in a day in which we feel our freedoms and our faith are being
challenged, but whatever you do, don’t forget: Jesus’ people
celebrate more than trees, tinsel, and time off from work. They
celebrate Christ! And as long as there’s a Christ – who was and is
and always will be – there will be Christmas!
[text from file received by Greg Wooten, Lincoln Church of the
Nazarene]
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