I believe in total depravity. One way in which it presents itself is as narcissistic personality disorder. I’m not trying to diagnose mankind but am simply making an observation of our, and specifically my, innate self-centeredness.
One way my self-centeredness reared its ugly head was in my theology of Christmas and I think this happens in not a few young Christians. Early in my Christian life I came across Scrooges of many kinds including holier than thou legalists and cults like the Jehovah’s (false) Witnesses who allege a pagan origin of Christmas. Rather than testing all things with Scripture I became the ultimate judge of Christmas and became somewhat uncomfortable with the whole idea. In doing this I disregarded, to my shame, the teaching of mature Christians for whom I have a great deal of respect. As a result I was never able to fully enjoy the holiday.
No more!
This year I was fortunate to come across several articles by godly men who are more mature in the faith. Below I will only quote a tiny bit, if at all, of the articles. Such quotes are not summaries of the articles or the reasons the articles have changed my Christmas philosophy. You’ll have to read the entire articles to have any idea of how God has been working in my mind. I simply want to encourage you, my few dear readers, to read and be edified by the writing of these men.
The first article was titled Celebrating Christmas Like a Puritan. Doug Wilson encourages us to go overboard with our Christmas celebrations. You’ll have to read it to get the context, of course, but following is a snippet:
Some may be disturbed by this. It seems a little out of control, as though I am urging you to “go overboard.” But of course I am urging you to go overboard. Think about it—when this world was “in sin and error pining,” did God give us a teaspoon of grace to make our dungeon a tad pleasanter? No. He went overboard.
The second article I have in mind was also by Doug Wilson. In A Theology of Christmas Gifts he wrote on a topic I had been considering. I summarized my simple thoughts on Facebook as follows:
The first Christmas gifts were given to Jesus. How can we give gifts to Jesus this Christmas? One way is by giving to “one of the least of these” (Matthew 25:40, NIV).
The third article was titled Christmas Is for Those Who Hate It Most. Matt B. Redmond concludes his article:
Christmas is really about the gospel of grace for sinners. Because of all that Christ has done on the cross, the manger becomes the most hopeful place in a universe darkened with hopelessness. In the irony of all ironies, Christmas is for those who will find it the hardest to enjoy. It really is for those who hate it most.
The last article was by my pastor, RC Sproul. In Marley and His Message to Scrooge, Dr. Sproul destroyed arguments of Scrooges everywhere. Since he’s my pastor, I’ll include a few more quotes from his article:
The high degree of commerce at Christmas is driven by one thing: the buying of gifts for others. To present our friends and families with gifts is not an ugly, ignoble vice. It incarnates the amorphous “spirit of Christmas.” The tradition rests ultimately on the supreme gift God has given the world. God so loved the world, the Bible says, that He gave His only begotten Son. The giving of gifts is a marvelous response to the receiving of such a gift. For one day a year at least, we taste the sweetness inherent in the truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
What about putting Christ back into Christmas? It is simply not necessary. Christ has never left Christmas. “Jingle Bells” will never replace “Silent Night.” Our holiday once known as Thanksgiving is rapidly becoming known simply as “Turkey Day.” But Christmas is still called Christmas. It is not called “Gift Day.” Christ is still in Christmas, and for one brief season the secular world broadcasts the message of Christ over every radio station and television channel in the land. Never does the church get as much free air time as during the Christmas season…
What about the historical origins of Christmas as a substitute for a pagan festival? I can only say, good for the early Christians who had the wisdom to flee from Mithras and direct their zeal to the celebration of the birth of Christ. Who associates Christmas today with Mithras? No one calls it “Mithrasmas.”
…When God touches earth, the place is holy. When God appears in history, the time is holy. There was never a more holy place than the city of Bethlehem, where the Word became flesh. There was never a more holy time than Christmas morning when Emmanuel was born. Christmas is a holiday. It is the holiest of holy days. We must heed the warning of Jacob Marley: “Don’t be a Scrooge” at Christmas.
I hope you find the articles encouraging.
I will not entertain comments from those I deem Scrooges.
Merry Christmas to all on whom his favor rests! (Luke 2:14, NIV)
