Merry Christmas

My son was just learning to read. I noticed he was going around the house and picking up random objects. He would glance at the back or bottom, put it back down and proceed to the next object. Some were toys, others were decorations, occasionally an appliance. He grew more and more irritated with each item. It didn’t look like he was looking for something, but indeed, he was definitely searching for…something. Finally, completely exasperated, he slammed down the last object and blurted out, '“WHY IS EVERYTHING MADE IN CHINA?!?”

How do you explain macroeconomics, geopolitics, and profit to a kindergarten boy? Needless to say, when I saw this graphic, it resurfaced that amusing memory of my son. But it also got me thinking, was our Christmas made in China, or was it made in Bethlehem?

Made in Cina

I’ve written about how much materialism and consumerism tend to drive our culture. It is a sad reality. Is it holiday spirit or something sinister? I’m not saying it is all bad and that I live a true and pure observance of Christmas. The day after Thanksgiving, I’m ready to crank up the Christmas music. Let’s put the tree up and decorate it. Let’s tour random neighborhoods and see who has the best Christmas lights decorating their house. Are there any good Christmas movies we want to rewatch?

However, are we doing this because it’s just fun to do? Are we doing it just because it has become tradition? Maybe one man’s tradition is another man’s treasure. Or should we say, fills another man’s treasury.

Disclaimer: I don’t have anything against the people of China, except the form of government imposed on them. But that’s not their fault. Nor is it the point of this blog, but I want to be clear in case 20 years from now some son-of-a-Grinch makes an ignorant accusation. Nor am I against capitalism.

I digress…

Made in Bethlehem

Years ago, three wealthy men rolled up to a palace in the desert. It was adorned with peculiar ornaments and lights that could be seen from miles away. The king was often heralded as a man of vision, nearly god-like. He loved parties and any reason to celebrate. He developed technology, crude albeit, which sucked up sand and blew it into the air. “It’s not sand, it’s snow!” He told his subjects. What do you do with a slightly-deranged, tyrant king? You go along with it, that’s what. So the people set about making sandmen and sandcastles with it. They even tied antlers to the camels and invented stories about ones that could fly. The people became as crazy as he was.

So these men showed up to the party and said they were looking for the King of the Jews, the one whose star shined brighter than this crazy king’s futuristic Christmas decorations. They soon realized, however, the dignified King they sought was not to be found amongst these party animals.

They left there and headed down to a little shack in Bethlehem. No decorations there, not even Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree. Except there was an incredible star high up in the sky; literally felt like it was right above it.

Inside this little barn, surrounded by the… warmth… of the animals and the… scent of hay, lay the infant Jesus. The contrast between the lavishness of King Herod's court and the simplicity of the stable was stark, yet it was in this unassuming place that the true King of the Jews was found.

As the wise men knelt in reverence and gave Him their gifts, far away on the cold hills of Bethlehem, shepherds tended their flocks under the vast night sky. Suddenly, the heavens erupted in a celestial symphony of light and sound. Angels appeared, their radiance outshining the brightest king’s lights, and a chorus of heavenly voices proclaimed the birth of the Savior.

The shepherds, awestruck and filled with joy, witnessed a Christmas spectacle like no other. It was as if God himself had orchestrated the grandest light show to celebrate the arrival of peace on Earth and goodwill to men. In the quiet fields, surrounded by sheep and guided by a celestial display, they hurried to witness the miracle in the manger, where the true meaning of Christmas unfolded in the humblest of settings.

Don’t get lost in the lights or distracted by the man-made opulence during Christmas. It’s not too late to refocus. God’s attention, blessing, peace and purpose is not given to the person who has the most expensive power bill. It is present with whoever is present with His Son.

Be in Christ this Christmas and stay in Christ even when the decorations come down.