This time of the year it seems as if a lot of Christians turn super spiritual or something over the idea of how a Christian should celebrate Christmas. What I mean is you begin to hear how it is so sinful to have parties, have Christmas lights, put up a Christmas tree, believe in Santa Claus, etc. They sight the fact that many of the roots of these Christmas practices stem from the pagan traditions ofChristmas. It seems as if you always have a well-known pastor speak out against the evil of celebrating certain Christmas traditions and you can get into heated arguments with other believers in your life that tell you how sinful some traditional practices are. We hear the words secular more in the month of December than we do the rest of year. People cry, don’t make Christmas secular, don’t say Happy Holidays, don’t bring Santa into it, don’t make it about the presents, it’s become so secular. I wonder why we don’t have this same attitude the rest of the year. 11 months out of the year most of these people speaking out against these evil, sinful and secular Christmas practices fill their lives with all kinds of secular and sinful practices. For example I wonder if being in the practice of watching a show lets says like, Desperate Housewives, a show filled with woman and men having as much sex with anyone they can as much as possible is that practice somehow not evil, sinful and secular as lets say telling your kids there is a Santa Claus. It seems to me as if people think two ways, #1 you can do only what the Bible commands. Or #2 you can do anything but what the Bible forbids. It seems to me that many people choose number 2 for the most part of thier lives and but when they want to make an arguemnt against some Christian freedom such as some of the fun things of Christmas they begin to say you can only do what the Bible commands. So I think if you are against Santa, against gift giving, against the parties, against the secular traditions that have come to be associated with Christmas that is your choice. I also believe that if a Christian wants to practice those things that they can do so without it being sinful and that to argue against it makes Christ look foolish. With all that in mind, the point of this time of year(also the othr 11 months) is for us to point to Jesus. Behind it all is the great celebration of the birth of a baby names Jesus that would grow to become a man and go to the cross and become the Savior of the world. The way we make Christmas sinful is the way we make any aspect of our life sinful, not to make Jesus the center. Some will say how do you have Santa, the presents, the parties, the decorations and still have Jesus center? For me and my family that’s easy we do what we do the 11 other months of the year. Nothing changes except we add the fun, excitement, joy, awe, magical moments that come with this season. Our family has Christ in the center the rest of year so there is not much of anything we change to make him the center of Christmas. If that wasn’t much of a help here are some helpful tips from Mark Driscoll, pastor at Mars Hill Church. These are directed toward dads.
A dad needs …
… a plan for the holidays to ensure his family is loved and memories are made. Dad, what’s your plan?
… to ensure his family is giving generously during the holidays. Dad, who in need is your family going to adopt, bless, and serve?
… to carve out time for sacred events and experiences to build family traditions that are fun and point to Jesus. Dad, is you calendar ready for December?
… to not let the stress of the holidays, including money, cause him to be grumpy with Mom or the kids. Dad, how’s your joy?
… to make memories and not just give gifts. Dad, what special memories can you make this holiday season?
… to manage the extended family and friends during the holidays. Dad, who or what do you need to say “no” to?
… to schedule a big Christmas date with his daughter(s). Dad, what’s your big plan for the fancy Daddy-daughter date?
… to schedule guy time with his son(s). Dad, what are you and your son(s) going to do that is active, outdoors, and fun?
… to help get the house decorated. Dad, are you really a big help to Mom with getting things ready?
… to ensure there are some holiday smells and sounds. Dad, is Christmas music on the iPod, is the tree up, can you smell cookies and cider?
… to snuggle up and watch fun shows with the kids. Dad, is the DVR set to record old classics and holiday shows?
… to connect with Mom during the holidays. Dad, do you have some fun date nights or getaways planned for you and your wife?
… to help Mom get the kids’ rooms decorated. Dad, do they get lights or a small tree in their room?
… to read about Jesus with and pray over his kids. Dad, how’s your pastoral work going with each of your kids?
… to repent of being lazy, selfish, grumpy, or just dumping the holidays on Mom. Dad, are you a servant like Jesus to your family?
Merry Christmas! Hope you have a great season filled with awe, making memories that your children will remember forever, and most of celebrating the birth of a baby that has changed many lives including mine.
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