the loss of Christmas

i hung up some Christmas lights today that i got two years ago at hesston. one strand of white, one of blue.....and wishing i had a third to go down the middle of the room. darn.

while doing this i had the opportunity to think about how some people lovingly call me the grinch when it comes to Christmas.

it is well known by those who know me well, that over the years i have come to despise the Christmas season more and more. and with that statement, please allow me to explain. i dont like much Christmas music, trees, presents, dinners, lights, etc. like i used to. why? because this is not what Christmas is really about, yet it is what we have made it to be. i hate the buiseness of Christmas, how we have taken something so precious and sacred and turned it into a market.

i think of the Temple, and how Jesus tore the place apart. think about it. the people of His day took the holiest place and turned it into a market. and here we are 2000 some years later, doing the same thing to one of the most sacred of celebrations. i am convinced that if Christ were to come back at Christmas, He would tear this place apart.

i love Christmas for what it truly is, the celebration of the holy, sacred miraculous virgin birth of the Lord of my life, Jesus Christ. in turn i hate Christmas for what it has become, a spectacle for all to enjoy complete with lights, presents, dinners, trees, etc. im not saying these things are bad....but they have become bad. the focus has been lost and we have become consumed with the wrong thing. we have made Christmas into an idol, worshiping these things....when we should be worshiping the true reason for this time, Christ.

so iv you think i dont like Christmas, quiet honestly its probly that i dont like your idea of Christmas. i think it is time that we get back to the roots here. to really refocus on what it is we are celebrating. i believe it is imperative, and that to not do so is tragic.