Christmas is indeed a time of revelry. It is perhaps the most festive season, at least, in the Christian world. Even countries where Christians are a minority, such as Japan and Korea, had been infected by the yuletide fervor.
Trimmings and decorations, music, food, gifts and parties are what Christmas for most of us. The sight and sounds of the season are unlike any other being celebrated during the year. It is most anticipated time of the year. It is as if the culmination of what our whole year had been. As we welcome the New Year with intense revelry, it highlights our hope that it would bring us better and brighter tomorrow; more prosperous and greater success.
While there is nothing wrong with all these merriment for indeed there is a cause for joy in the season, the fundamental message it carries are drowned and becomes supplemental instead of being the focal theme.
Foremost, Christmas is a religious festivity. It is the Christians’ marking the birth of the Christ or Savior. It is believed that He, God becomes man, comes into the world to dispel the darkness of sin and death. For the faithful, the believers, including the spiritual moderates accepts this as an article of faith. For non-Christians however it is a good and noble story which offers so much hope and inspiration for anyone who learns about it.
As a religious feast, there is a greater spiritual significance attached to it that even we as Christians often forget. Hence we missed the true value and the essence of why we celebrate. The growing secularism had put aside the traditional symbols and activities of Christmas. Although we have nothing against Santa Clause, reindeers, snowman and candy canes, they somehow compete with our attention when we are supposed to focus on the humble scene of the manger.
Gift-giving is a good tradition during the Christmas season. Yet nowadays, this tradition had been overrated brought about by the excesses of modern lifestyle. Because of too much commercialism instigated by greed, we are caught to fill-in the demand to buy so you may give. Marred by the compulsion to buy, give as social obligation or pressured by peers and associates, the act of giving becomes trivial. It is most unfortunate that the value of charity had been lost in this tradition.
While parties and family gathering are essential part of the holiday feasting. But parties with too much intoxication, food binges, loud music and dancing has too little to do with what Christmas is all about. As for family reunions somehow creates a more sober and more appropriate setting for the season, we will get most out of this experience if we gather together and contemplate the beauty of the Christmas message.
Before you say I am Mr. Scrooge, I clarify that I am not against parties, gift-giving or am I prejudice towards those who are keeping certain traditions I mentioned here. While we can engage in any of these, let us make it more meaningful and relevant to the theme of the occasion. In the midst of the bustle and hustle, and the stress during this season we remember the most essential: We rejoice because a Savior has been born to us. We give gift in the spirit of charity. And we gather together as family and friends because we celebrate God’s love and the blessings we received throughout the year.
Let us keep the essential Christmas traditions like having the time for reflection and prayer. Celebrating in church (any denomination will do) is highly commendable. Whether you believe the Christmas story by faith or has been moved by it as a lore, let us keep the Christmas message alive and in the forefront of our celebration.
Have a joyous and blessed Christmas to all!
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