War on Advent?

Apparently there is a war on Advent, or Christmas, or giving…or something along those lines.  The battle cries of “Keeping Christ in Christmas” ring out here and there, and while I agree in the spirit of the battle cry, I am concerned about the weapons being used to fight. 

Seems to me, that God armed us with faith, hope and love.   And let me tell you that when they are seen in action, they are most powerful.

Instead, I see folks fighting to keep “Christ in Christmas” with rules and regulations.  And there are a heck of a lot of them out there.  

Frankly the rules can be confusing because they can be manipulated to suit one’s own preferences.

Santa is a lie.  Christians don’t lie.


Santa is the celebration of Saint Nicholas, worthy of celebration.


Stop the battle of consumerism.  Don’t buy extravagant gifts for your kids.  Money sent to charity is the only acceptable spending.


God gives good gifts and to celebrate the Giver, we give lavishly to our friends and family at this time.  Spend so that you can show HIS love.


Uh….anyone else get confused over the rules and regulations being established?

Did the Bible lay out some rule book specifically for Christmas or have we become a bit like the Pharisees, making rules for specific occasions that go beyond the scope of His Word?

When Jesus was questioned about the rules…

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?  Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."


This verse rings true at Christmas time and it rings true each and every day.

Advent is a time to remember that Love came down to earth in the form of a baby.

We love because He loved.  He came and He is coming again!  And THAT is worthy of celebrating and remembering during this Advent Season.

So for me, His birth is the reason I celebrate this season.

His life and His fulfillment of the law on my behalf is the reason I don’t have to celebrate it according to anyone else’s rules.

And neither do you.

Perhaps you want to spend less and give more.   Perhaps you feel like the entire “gift giving thing” only serves to promote your own selfish desires and you want nothing to do with it.   Read this post by Ann.  It’s a wonderful reminder that we can celebrate Jesus at Christmas without tangible gifts under the tree.

But can you forgo the gifts under the tree and still love your neighbor?  Or will you demand they forgo gifts as well?  Will you condemn their purchase of an iPad?  And then slowly, will you begin to idolize your ability to forgo gifts under the tree?

If spending less has become your idol, then read this post at Feminia.  Now this one happens to be a bit radical in the spending for my comfort level, as I am not so sure that breaking the budget is the wisest idea, but I agree that storing up a savings for ourselves can be just as selfish as buying that lavish iPad. 

Perhaps you have forgotten that you CAN give gifts to the glory of God.  Maybe you just need to remember how God’s grace can be displayed in your gift giving. 

But then, if you choose to give lavishly, can you still love your neighbor who limits their gifts to a certain number or amount?  Can you joyfully celebrate small gifts with those who prefer limits?  Or will you make them feel guilty that they don’t “spend as much on you”?

Maybe Santa has been part of your tradition since you were a child and you want to pass on that story to your children.  Perhaps it is a daily joy to hide the “Elf on the Shelf” each morning while laughing and giggling at his silly antics.

Or does the jolly man in the red suit give you the hebbie jeebies?  Maybe he represents everything “anti-Christ” in Christmas for you? If so, toss the Rudolf movie and pass on the jolly man photos at the mall. 

But can you remove him from your home and still love your brother who hides that Elf every morning?  Or will you make snide comments about the “lie” of Christmas, knowing full well you are implying that your neighbor is sinfully lying? 

I could go on, but you get the point.

The fact of the matter is that Christ is “in” our Christmas just as He is “in” every day we live.  

But He is not displayed through a checklist of rules we give one another.  He is displayed as we show love to one another in all that we do.

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."  (John 13:35)

So go forth and celebrate this season.  Celebrate big or celebrate small.  Give to family, friends, or those on the other side of the globe.  Decorate with lights, with Santa, or with manger scenes.  Spend quiet moments in reflection and loud moments with family.  And do it ALL for His Glory.

For the “Word became FLESH and dwelt among us”!

And that is worthy of celebration.