Another Reason why I would struggle as a pastor
When I really think about it, I like Christmas. For the life of me, though, I don't know why. What I like about Christmas is the opportunity to spend time with people you love, and have a chance to take a break, at least somewhat, from the ordinary. I don't care about gifts. If I never received another gift I wouldn't mind. I don't care about the Christmas carols. Actually, I don't really like most Christmas music.
I honestly feel like I was blessed growing up in a poor family. We never had to 'skip Christmas', but I never got huge presents or many gifts. At the time I was a little frustrated because I would go back to school and my friends would talk about the twenty presents they got and I only had three or four and mine were combined worth less than their cheapest gift. But even then I could appreciate that my parents and family loved me and the time and effort that I received made up for the lack of a Nintendo or colour TV. And now when I hear about people being excited about what they are going to get, I just feel a little uncomfortable. I don't want to be all Scrooge and start saying 'Bah Humbug' (actually it's kind of a fun phrase to say...), but at the same time, where is our focus? Where is the balance?
I had a thought yesterday at our Christmas Eve service. We have our holiday moods mixed up. Christmas should be more somber and Easter should be more of a party. You see, Christmas is kind of sad because we know the end of the story. When I was born, my parents had no idea where I would go, what my life would bring. It is a celebration and a chance to look to the promise of a bright future. But we know that, as soon as Jesus was born he was marked for death. That doesn't sound like a party moment, it sounds almost like a waste!
Then we get to Easter, and we are all solemn and reverant, and that just doesn't seem right either. Sure him dying is sad, and it is a very serious time, but only on Friday. Because on Sunday, you see, the home team wins! Think of it, when the Riders won the Grey Cup, did the province of Saskatchewan stand around solemnly saying deeply profound things? No, they had an outdoor party. In November, in Saskatchewan. That is what Easter should be like! We've won, it's over, there's nothing left to fight over. I guess that would make our role as christians to be the sportscasters who make sure everyone knows the score so they can celebrate the win with us. So why do we spend most of our time so dour and solemn, trying to be all serious and focussed. That's for the beginning of the game, not the victory dance. That's for Christmas, not Easter!
So back to Christmas, there are good things about it, but it has nothing to do with presents and songs. It is family and community. That is the greatest thing about Christmas, how more people are willing to show some sort of good will, good feelings to people around them, rather than focussing completely upon themselves, though there is plenty of that going on too. I just wish people, especially christians, would remember that on February 8th, and June 2nd, and September 24th.
That is one way of looking at it, there is much more to the season than I have mentioned here, but that is what has been on my mind this year.
I hope everyone had a merry Christmas. I miss all of you and think of you often and fondly. Even you Scott :D
posted by Pants since 1986 @ 4:24 a.m.
3 comments
3 Comments:
Such a great post! I used to think I grew up in a poor family, but realized that in fact I didn't-compared to many. This year I surprised my whole family and one thing struck me as sad and it's kind of synonymous with your post. My grandma looked at me as everyone opened gifts and said "oh, if only I had known you were coming..." The focus was STILL on the gifts! I told her that being home was present enough (cheesy, sure).
Oh, and you may not want to talk to me for weeks after I say the following, but...the Roughriders won? Hmm...no idea. Congrats though! :)
I think of me too!
I can see where you're coming from with the Christmas mood thing, but I can't convince myself to agree.
To me it makes sense. The birth of a child is always cause for celebration, so it makes sense to celebrate Christmas. And yes, we know the end of the story, but while Jesus was marked for death, that's hardly the end of the story! Put it this way - if Jesus hadn't come into the world, where would we be? Should we not celebrate that his birth and life has brought us the possibility of life?
On the other hand, Easter is a time for both grief and rejoicing. You're right, Easter Sunday is a time for rejoicing (like the 'Riders winning the Grey Cup!), but how can we possibly commemorate the death of Jesus without reflecting on our sin and the fact that death was necessary? It's impossible to fully enter into that sorrow because we know the end of the story, but our sin grieves God, and the punishment for that was extreme. I think that Good Friday is the only time in the year where we even begin to struggle with the enormity and consequence of our sins!
So let's party on Easter, as you say, but the moment that we forget that our sin is horrible in God's sight is the moment that we begin to lose the joy of our salvation! How can we rejoice if we forget how desperately we needed to be saved? Solemn and serious can be useful if we allow it to point us to God.
And the conclusion of the matter regarding Christmas? It's not about presents and songs, but I also don't believe that it's about family and community, either (although it should affect our understanding of those things). It is about Christ's life and our salvation. Though our family be dead (God forbid) and our friends and loved ones absent (God also forbid), still we can celebrate Christmas with joy and glorious thanksgiving.
By the way, I hope that you had a great Christmas, too!
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