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The essence of christmas
"Keep Christ in Christmas!" is the familiar refrain of Christians who fear the secularization of the holy day celebrating the birth of Jesus, their savior.
But in America, non-Christians often celebrate Christmas.
According to a recent poll by the Christian group LifeWay Research, "A majority of agnostics or those claiming no preference (89 percent), individuals claiming other religions (62 percent), and even atheists (55 percent) celebrate Christmas along with 97 percent of Christians."
Do you need to be Christian to celebrate Christmas? What is Christmas all about?
Christmas has almost become a universal festival not so much because people have come to believe in the true essence of the event but because it has become infused with materialism and madness. The state of the country's economy hinges on whether people splurge or not. It is said when materialism steps in the front door, morality steps out the back.
I am not surprised that some Christians would like to bring back Christ into Christmas but they will not be able to achieve any success so long as Mammon rules over the event. Religious festivals all over the world have lost their original meaning and have become just another day for rejoicing, buying presents and overeating.
Jesus had to fight the moneylenders and literally throw them out of the temple because not only were they desecrating the sanctity of the temple but they were fleecing the common man and woman. Ultimately, the moneylenders, in the form of modern businessmen, have won the battle and have taken over the church and the religious festivals. That this has made the festival more secular is not a great achievement. The tragedy is that neither the Christians nor the non-Christians who celebrate the festival do so with any degree of understanding and/or dedication to the essence of the festival. It is just another day to enjoy and make merry and not be concerned about work. So, if Jesus was not able to keep materialism out of the places of worship are a handful of priests going to succeed?
By
Arun Gandhi
|
December 22, 2010; 5:28 AM ET
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Posted by: gladerunner | December 23, 2010 2:22 PM
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“It is said when materialism steps in the front door, morality steps out the back.”
When a man grows a crop and sells a portion to others, that is materialism/consumerism as well. Even if it is exchanged in trade for another item rather than mammon, that is materialism.
I suppose abject poverty is an option. Hunting/gathering, sure, lets do that instead.
“The tragedy is that neither the Christians nor the non-Christians who celebrate the festival do so with any degree of understanding and/or dedication to the essence of the festival”
Essence is only relevant for those seeking it. My family enjoys the holiday for what it is to us. What other people do is not my concern, it’s not my place to judge whether or not they are understanding the essence properly.
“just another day for rejoicing, buying presents and overeating”
And exactly what is wrong with that once in a while?