Re-Defining Christmas

Christmas is a month a way. The Christmas songs on the radio are playing more often. The night air is getting colder. Christmas lights and decor are being setup in the malls and shops around the area.

And the traffic has gotten worse.

But then again, Christmas is more than the mad dash to finish one's shopping, or the stress brought about by traffic, or the never ending stream of parties you want, don't want and are obliged to attend.
Christmas is beyond the eating and then the sudden zeal to shed all the pounds gained. Christmas is much more than the people who hand out envelopes in busses and jeepneys and give a spiel on how much it would mean to others to share your blessings. Particularly to them.

Christmas is waaaay more than all of that. It is deeper than those who complain about being single and alone during Christmas. Or how much you are wishing that you get this certain gadget or item.

Christmas is about HOPE. Hope given by a God who loves His creation intensely that He sent His Son to die in their place so that the relationship between God & Man could be restored. It wasn't about what God wanted to receive, but rather, what He was willing to give so that Man might have the opportunity to be restored and reinstated back into God's plan for His life. Christmas symbolizes that there is a better tomorrow. That though you may be in he darkest of night right now, the light will always come on the morrow.

Christmas is about SELFLESSNESS. Despite how media and consumerism has "re-shaped" Christmas into one big spend-all-your-money-to-show-you-care or spend-all-your-money-on-stuff-you-want-because-you-deserve-it mega sale, the original design of what Christmas was celebrated for wasn't the items you could give out (or purchase), but the life you would share. It doesn't have to be a "feed the homeless" level endeavor, but it does mean to share and celebrate life with your family and friends. Guess what, giving gifts are wonderful ways to express your love for a person, but maybe it would be better expressed by giving them TIME. Unhurried. No agenda. Real. Quality. Time. For some of us, this may require extra effort (and grace!) on our part, since we have been simmered in the fast paced carpe diem mentality that has permeated society in the most subtle way.

Christmas is about RELATIONSHIP. Not the typical "Hi-Hello-How-Are-You-I'm-Fine" relationship that allows us to be polite and un-intrusive at the same time. Christmas is about walking together and sharing life. I'm not saying go out and make friends en masse, but to really know how your family and friends are doing. And I do not mean just on the surface level. What are their fears? What are they struggling with in this season of their life? What have the overcome recently and celebrate with them. Relationships have degraded to the level that there is social connection but there isn't any substantial depth growing between the people.

Do you view your friends a safe place to open your heart?
Can you say the same for your family?
Do you know what your parents are struggling with right now?
Does your family know about the big decision you are faced with right now?
Do you know more about what is happening in your friend's life than in your sibling's life?

Spend time with family and spend time with those whom you truly call friend.

God grants us Hope for tomorrow through a Selfless sacrifice. Why? Because He treasures His Relationship with you. That is Christmas.

That is why Jesus came down to this earth to be a man, to live a blameless life and meekly went to die on the cross (which is one of the most painful and humiliating ways to die). It wasn't so that we can go Christmas shopping or string out parties. It isn't for the strategic gift buying and giving. It wasn't even so that Pepsi and Coke can fight over the color of Santa Clause (and indirectly, Christmas).

No.

Jesus was born of a virgin, lived as a man and died on Calvary so that you and me can be restored in our relationship with God. Restoration with God is there, all we have to do is ask.

Have you?