Last week, I think, I wrote a comment on James's blog and included in it a rather rude rebuff to Crushed for using the term Xmas. I feel I should explain.
I hate the word Xmas. Not because I'm a Christian, not because it takes Christ out of Christmas, but because it's an ugly, harsh word that ill-fits the season.
I have to admit to being a little out of tune at Christmas. I am sort of inclined to the view that taking Christ out of Christmas would be a good thing.
I love the season, the fun, the music, the family time and I adore buying presents for my children and seeing them pleased. But every now and again I start guiltily and think, 'oh, it's Christmas; I should be thinking about Jesus.'
The Christmas spirit does infiltrate the secular world, even during the busyness. There is a feeling of goodwill that isn't there at other times. I do believe this. I am all in favour of the holiday.
But for Christians, everyday should be a celebration of Christ's birth and a remembrance of his death. The actual date and time isn't known anyway. So maybe we should change the name of the holiday while still celebrating.
And daily live more Christ-infused lives.
But then again, who knows how many hearts are touched by something that is seen or heard over the Christmas period. It's an opportunity - through concerts or carol services - that Christians don't get very often to talk freely and openly about God to people who aren't there to listen for most of the year. And while the majority of those people will leave with nothing, maybe one or two will grasp at the outstretched hand.
Oh, I love Christmas!
xx
2 comments:
I actually hate the season- a festival of consumer spending.
Easter is what it's all about, in my opinion.
Historically Christians just borrowed the pagan festival of Yule anyhow. That was one of the reasons Christianity has been so successful as a religion it had a very neat way of blending in with the existing cultures/traditions in it's early years.
Much of the symbolism we associate with Christmas, like the trees, feasts, etc. are all from the Yule pagan tradition probably.
Personally - it's a time of the year where we all look forward to the rebirth of the year from the winter slumber, the soltice and all that. Maybe we should just get the name turned back to Yule? no that'll start another riot that suggestion won't it... :-)
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