Christmas Traditions

                                            Merry Christmas

     Today I want to briefly talk about Christmas traditions. I am not talking about mine versus yours, specifically. I’m referring to a cultural construct that actually evolved over the centuries.

     The basic Christmas celebration, as we in America know it, originated from mainly European (specifically German) traditions and beliefs. Queen Charlotte, the German wife of King George III, introduced the first known Christmas tree to England in December 1800. The fragrances, art and songs have grown (snowballed you might say) since the days when Charles Dickens’ much loved and lauded novella A Christmas Carol was published in 1843. A decade or two later, the common masses slowly took on these traditions, and the United States, still in its infancy as a nation, followed suit.

     Some of our own U. S. citizens (as noted in previous posts) were of the belief that pine bows in a home were a tradition of fetishistic heathens. It’s true, such practices were pagan in origin. Many cultures, even inside our nation, still reject the bringing inside and decorating of pine trees. Some may even profess that those of us that decorate for Christmas are going to Hell!

     Take for instance individuals that reject science (yet it is my belief that God is the greatest scientist of all). You have people who emphatically adhere to a flat-Earth notion. You might meet people who believe if you and your children get inoculated for any disease, your souls will be in Satan’s grip. They seem to think that their version of Christianity is the only form of Christ-following. 

     Conversely, there are some ladies and gentlemen that attend each and every parade, cookie exchange and pageant. Some people watch Hallmark holiday movies, take their toddlers to visit Coca-Cola inspired Santas, giggle at Rudolph's exploits as he frolics with an elf who wants to be a dentist, sing Jingle Bells at the top of their lungs, (even yapping and growling along with Carl Weismann's barking dogs version). Many of these people start to decorate just before Thanksgiving.

     I meet individuals that state our dear Savior could have only been born at lambing time and reject that Jesus’ birth was actually in the winter season. Others will debate with their neighbors, point at a calendar and loudly say, “You heretic! Jesus’ birthday is on December 25, it has always been December 25 and if you don’t believe it, you’re going to spend eternity gnashing your teeth in Hades!” (Never mind that the Gregorian Calendar that we hang in our homes or glance at on our phones was first used in 1582.)

     Christmas as I celebrate it is not exactly like the observance of December 25 that my American great grandmother knew. The one that I celebrated with my children is not like the tradition of exchanging gifts on December 24 like my German-born mother. She decorated on Christmas Eve as a child and when I was a little girl Mommy allowed the tree to go up only a week before Christmas. It was then taken down New Years Day. The ceremony my own descendants will experience will most likely change with every generation.

     Does your family open gifts the night before Christmas or the day afterwards? Maybe you and your friends wait for New Years when you get together? If you have a tree, should it be festooned with red and green bulbs or blue and silver? Maybe burgundy and pink ribbons and little else?

     Do you serve ham in your home, or goose? Do you have a green bean casserole or a salad? Biscuits or rolls? Late lunch or dinner? Wine or water? Does it matter?

     Now, I want you to think of a Christmas dessert. Let’s use cake as an example. You might have the sweet cake of Christianity at your core. Your icing is blue, mine is red. The next person has sprinkles, the one down the street has piping. The core of our belief should be something sweet and good. Does it really matter if your church meets Sunday evening or Saturday morning? Does it matter if you have baptisms the first Sunday of every month only or anytime people are gathered? Does it make a great difference if that baptism takes place in a warm font or at a pond in Grandpa’s old pasture?

     The essence of the season is remembering the birth of a baby boy whose young mother accompanied her new husband for a long-distance journey. She was a stranger in another city and she gave birth without the comforting aide of relatives. Her son grew to teach radical ideas that irked the traditions of powerful men in His own community. He dined with people considered unworthy and filthy. He welcomed the friendships of political adversaries. He listened first, then taught truths that changed ingrained dogmas and customs. He instructed all who would listen to give second and third chances (and seventh chances!) to people who followed His path – the path that taught them that if they kindly gave second chances they’d be forgiven as well. He knew then (and knows now as an immortal being) that even the worst of us can mature spiritually and become better people as we follow Him. He proclaimed that He was sharing the teachings of His Father in Heaven. Whereas ancient Jewish tradition taught that women must be stoned to death for sexual indiscretions, He stated that all people are sinful (mortal and imperfect) and nobody was (or is) pure enough to execute another person for being human. He was called a heretic by leaders in His own religion. He healed the sick of mind and infirm of body. Miracles were documented by contemporaries of His own time. Stories were told of Him for many decades and centuries. He was killed for what He believed in. Even now, people who may or may not be religious, ascribe teachings to Him that He Himself never preached. Yet if each of us studies the Bible, we will find the true nature of this great man who was more than just a mere human.

     This miraculous man’s name is Jesus. We also call Him Christ, meaning that He is the only one anointed (christened) as the Son of God. If we take on His teachings and follow His path, we can call ourselves Christians.

     This Christmas no matter how you proceed with your gala, the core of our celebration of Christ’s birth should center around a special baby, born in a humble stable, to a poor mother who was a visiting stranger to an unfamiliar city. Know that this child grew to teach love and buck accepted traditions that were doing more harm than good. This child of wayfaring strangers claimed to be the Son of God and performed miracles, not to make money or entertain, but to mend the broken. He wouldn’t want us to argue about who has the best gingerbread house, which community had the best marching band in the holiday parade, or who doesn’t have a decorated tree no matter the reason. If your holiday meal is merely a ham sandwich in a motel, that is enough. Most importantly we must remember why we celebrate to begin with and follow His teachings.

     Jesus is NOT the season. He is the reason for the season.

     Merry Christmas