Trivializing Christ

I challenge our paganized “Christmas” season every year. As you probably know, most of the symbols and traditions come from ancient Babylon, and even the Christmas story (including the date) that many Christians embrace is full of errors.

But the real problem I have – traditions aside – is what Christmas, in fact, IS today. If Christmas really were a Christ-exalting season and people really came face-to-face with Jesus, should we not expect that every December would be a season of spiritual revival? Why is it, rather, a season of depression, hostility, financial irresponsibility, and over-indulgence?

And while it’s as easy for unbelievers to ignore Christ during this season as it is at any other time, why is it that among the professing Christian community, the claims of Christ and the knowledge that God has come to us does not produce deep repentance, or revival, or grief over our sin, or a renewed commitment to Christ and holy living?

Obviously it does not. The passion and focus of the Christian community toward godliness seems no more intense in December and January than it does at any other time of the year. Maybe with all the trees and tinsel and gift-giving and carol-singing, we are simply relegating what’s really important to the “back burner.” And perhaps because we do, Christmas has really become a time when we trivialize what’s important and insult Christ instead of honoring Him.

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