Christian Living

The Season Is The Reason?

by Jeff Drinnan
11/23/17
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The incessant Christmas references and jingles used to becon us to spend money to fill our lives with lavish gifts started long before Thanksgiving. Commercial interests, and people who abuse the season have made the season the reason for materialism.

Even before Thanksgiving, people were busy running around trying to find the right gift, the right decorations, the right food and dinner settings during the season as people chant "Peace on Earth; Good Will To Men." Christmas carols are co-opted by advertisers who act like pimps who prostitute the season to sell stuff. To borrow a phrase from author Tom Wolfe, they are members of a spurious aristocracy.

The peace the world is seeking this holiday season is personal peace and prosperity, of which the late evangelist Francis Schaeffer challenged. Dr. Schaeffer said that this sin is an epidemic of the 20th century. He writes: “Personal peace means just to be left alone, not to be troubled by the troubles of other people…Personal peace means wanting to have my personal life pattern undisturbed in my lifetime, regardless of what the result will be in the lifetimes of my children and grandchildren. Affluence means an overwhelming and ever increasing prosperity — a life made up of things, things and more things — a success judged by an ever–higher level of material abundance.”

Here at the nursing home, I'm the only one who has come to visit my friend Sandi. Her family, who has visited her, on average, once every week or two, has not stopped by for weeks. I got a text on November 4 from one of Sandi's sons, who said he and his wife would stop by soon. Soon? I wonder what his definition of "is" is. Evidently Sandi's family has more important things to do.

While people pursue their personal peace and prosperity and going all out with decorations to create the maximum surface glitter, others are steeped in the true tradition of Christmas, embodying the true reason for the season.

I visit Sandi every day. It's necessary to be able to accomodate her somewhat off and on eating habits, and to encourage and comfort her. The hospice lady told me that Sandi's health has been improving "because of you". One of God's children has a need and God has brought us together. Both staff and patients here see my camping daily at Sandi's side as noble. It's a good witness. Like the moon, which has no light of its own, reflects the sun, I reflect God. "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."  2 Corinthians 5:20

On Tuesday, a nurse asked me if I'd be here on Thursday, and mentioned "it's Thanksgiving." I replied that Sandi has to be here, so will I." Sandi has been a loyal friend, who accepts me as I am but sometimes gently admonishes me to stay on track with God.

Again this Christmas, the Marrazzo Family will host a Christmas dinner in Penndel, PA for the homeless and those in need. Here are folks who volunteer their time and come to serve others on Christmas day. Many of the people who come to the dinner have no family with which to spend Christmas.

Those who commercialize Christmas are just like the money changers that Jesus drove out of the temple:
The crowds replied, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Then Jesus went into the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. And He declared to them, “It is written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’ But you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’ Matthew 21: 11-13

This Christmas, think about the true, Christian reason for the season. Christ was born in a lowly manger, humbled himself, became one of us, but was perfect. God sacrificed his only son to redeem us. Sacrificing for others is something we should be doing, as Jesus molds us into being more like Him.