"Years ago, I heard Dallas Seminary professor Howard Hendricks say that CHRISTmas in America is not so much about giving as it is swapping. If we give someone a fabulous gift, and the gift we receive from them is, well, less fabulous, that's okay. We'll make sure that things get evened out the next year when it comes time to select their gift. Who hasn't sometimes felt just a little slighted at the inadequacy of a gift received? (Come on, be honest now.) In fact, our culture feeds that disappointment by pointing out attention to gifts that are impossible for the average person to afford. Still, we make up on CHRISTmas morning certain that someone, whose love for us will be measured by the quality of his or her gift to us, is going to hit it out of the park this year. How can anything but the weeds of discontent grow in that kind of emotional field?" Excerpt from the booklet entitled Discovery Series: Anticipating the Birth of Christ, The Stories of Simeon and Anna by Bill Crowder, Radio Bible Class Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. http://rbc.org/
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What the professor said is not only true of America but around the world. How do I know? I came from a third world nation. It is true as well. The reality is this self-centered way of celebrating Christmas has become a materialistic holiday, where many are after what one can get, whether a business who needs your money to make it by Black Friday or a person who desires something so that person expects someone to give it to satisfy the longing. Or, even if that person can afford it, it sure is nice if it will come from someone who cares. Isn't that selfish? The situation above don't really happen only on Christmas but even on birthday celebrations.
To be honest, we seldom see the people we come to see on these holidays, if not, once a year-on Christmas. For example, we got invited at a birthday party, but barely know the celebrant, although we love being there and see what fun we can have at the expense of another. Someone even told me that the reason there is a party is so you can invite people whom you expect to bring gifts. Being a host, the gifts even out the expense of providing food and favors. Is this GOD's concept of celebration? All these happens whether we are rich or poor or middle class, if that still exists. Some rich will also get over it by buying whatever, without a thought. Businesses give gifts, too, because "good business," in exchange for your loyalty. Asking for choices allows us to see whether we can afford it or not.
Instead of coming to know the celebrant by caring enough to ask from a good source, so we will have a hint of the celebrant's desire or choices, we guess on what we think they desire or buy and get over with it. "Buy a gift, what-ever." It has become overboard and meaningless. If GOD indeed commanded to celebrate His birth (the time He was born here on earth although no one can tell the exact date and the fact that GOD has no beginning and has no end), Being the celebrant, is this the way HE would want us to celebrate it?
Instead of coming to know the celebrant by caring enough to ask from a good source, so we will have a hint of the celebrant's desire or choices, we guess on what we think they desire or buy and get over with it. "Buy a gift, what-ever." It has become overboard and meaningless. If GOD indeed commanded to celebrate His birth (the time He was born here on earth although no one can tell the exact date and the fact that GOD has no beginning and has no end), Being the celebrant, is this the way HE would want us to celebrate it?
What is the point of giving someone a gift (whether you already have money; or, if you use credit card and pay later-- why would GOD say "owe no one anything but to love?) just so that at least you gave without praying and meaningfully consider to ask GOD what He would buy for this person if HE was here? Doesn't GOD care about that person that HE surely will take the time to reveal it if we only ask Him how to do it? Does He even want us to give a gift and if so, who? Doesn't HE give gifts to touch someone's heart or life?
GOD, being the Celebrant, we should at least ask HIM how He wants us to celebrate it and His heart's desire? More than anything, knowing GOD deeply, you know His heart cry is always a lost soul who needs the greatest gift. Our job is pray hard and wait on GOD to lead us to one, whether it is a lost family member at a time when we can use the season to share the truth of why JESUS CHRIST was born into the human world; or a prodigal one, who needs to be reminded of what Jesus already did.
Why do I say this? Because I have a child who thinks she knows what she wants or needs but really don't so she will desire a lot of things. "Believe you me," given the choices, and bought one of those, you will find that she got bored of it already or "oh, I wish it was something else." It just makes one ungrateful. You know what I mean? Obviously, my daughter needs a heart-gift of contentment and gratefulness no amount of material gift could make it possible until we seriously intercede with God for that precious heart. I probably reflected the same heart as my daughter when I was her age but my parents were so merciful and so forgiving like GOD.
Now, I also have witnessed and experienced, in an impoverished environment, that CHRISTmas can still be celebrated without the exchange of gifts but just the joy of being with the people you care about and sharing a simple meal that has no strife. Sometimes even no meal because there isn't really any but was there joy? Ofcourse! Because the joy was within the heart thankful that we are still alive, we have each other and had another Christmas or new year. This time will also pass.
If there are unbelievers who experience this good thing, shouldn't we as Christians consider what we do because honestly we are shaming Jesus Christ by the way we do it. God is our example. He gave because it is HIS nature, a generous GOD, out of love. Shouldn't we do the same? Yes, we are not GOD, but by just asking from HIM, He can fill us with His nature, being HIS children. HE has already blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places and that includes His kingdom in our hearts! Even if He asks us to give something costly, our obedience moves HIM to enable and provide. Then, we get to celebrate the season with a heart that pleases Him and surely will touch lives, free of financial troubles. Let us also pray that the recipient's heart will find it in his heart to know and thank GOD for touching his life, whether or not we heard the thanks.
On another note, what will happen to one's Christmas if there are no gift exchanges anymore because there is so much poverty, or out of money for gifts or simply broke---in other words, hardships? Will life be miserable? NO. Why? Because the Gift is given already---with or without money, CHRIST is the GIFT. The reading of the WORD which is sharper than any two-edged sword, in the midst of the celebration is what gives us hope and defines the meaning of CHRISTmas.
Last, but not least, understand this: Take away CHRIST from the word Christian, you have 'ian' which stands for "I am nothing." Take away CHRIST from the word Christmas, you have "mas" which stands for "Man Abounding in Sin."
Therefore, let us not dare take CHRIST out of CHRISTmas, with or without human gifts.
