Rethinking Christmas

I really do wonder what it must have been like to celebrate Christ's birth 1000 years ago. I am sure no gift exchange was involved. Definitely no Santa Claus was involved. And for sure, no credit cards were involved. My guess is there was singing; and there was Scripture reading; and there must have been lots and lots of praise and prayer. I really like the idea of celebrating Christ's birth; I just wish it was without all the fluff that consumerism has added to it over the past century. And, perhaps, it would have been a little more appropriate to celebrate closer to the time of His actual birth (which historians believe to be April/May); but we had to keep up with the pagans who honored Sol Invictus, the Sun god, on December 25th. And then there is the whole timing of the Magi's visit, which according to Josephus wasn't until Jesus was a toddler and may have very well been in the winter. So, that brings us to where we are today, celebrating a very distorted version of Christ's birth.

Every year, my family tries to come up with new traditions that don't cost anything. We also look for ways to cut spending and to focus on the "reason for the season". That is, Christ. So, here are a few of the things our family does (or will be doing):

(1) We only get the kids 3 gifts each (plus a few practical items for their stockings like toothbrushes, toothpaste, pencils, crayons, and maybe a candy treat). They usually get a clothing item, a toy, and a book or movie. We don't spend a lot on these gifts (this year, we spent less than $60 on both of them). Jesus received three gifts, so, if its good enough for Him, its good enough for us.

(2) Reading Luke 2:1-21 on Christmas Eve (The story of Christ's birth and the Magi's visit)

(3) Singing Christmas carols by the lights of the Christmas tree (all the rest of the lights off) on Christmas Eve.

(4) We don't "do" Santa. We decided this several years ago for a few reasons--we don't want to lie to our kids, we want them to understand why we exchange gifts on Christmas, and we want them to appreciate the gifts and be thankful to the "real" giver. (Please don't take offense if you do "do" Santa. I do NOT think Santa is bad or anything. I have Santa decorations and we watch Santa movies. We just decided that we wanted our kids to know from the beginning what the deal is with gift giving at Christmas.)

(5) Buying or making a new ornament each year for all of us (including our sweet Ezra, who is now with the Lord)

(6) Baking together during Christmas week to bring cookies to our neighbors.

(7) Watching 'Elf' on Christmas day (and several other times during Advent).

(8) Giving money to help Advent Conspiracy. I LOVE this ministry--what we don't spend on ourselves can go to give clean water to an entire community. We also want to start a tradition of serving the poor in some capacity (as a family) on Christmas Eve or Day. I am researching that now.

(9) We've decided to stop sending Christmas cards in lieu of an email/blog letter (saves trees and that money could be donated). We did order a dozen this year to give to our closest family and friends.

(10) We started a new Advent tradition this year. Instead of filling the calendar with candy, we wrote the names of 24 Christmas stories down on slipped of paper, mixed them up, and distributed them on the calendar. Each night, we pick one to read. Also, while my mother-in-law was visiting, she brought "Advent bags" filled with slips of paper, one for each night, with "random acts of kindness" written on them. The kids have really enjoyed it and I think it fits in well with the season.

In the end, we want Christ to be glorified as we celebrate His birth. We want to be a part of the real Sprit of Christmas, and not one that has been fed to us through consumerism. Perhaps through a string of new traditions, all of us can be blessed and Christ can be glorified. :)