I’m so torn this year over the Christmas holiday.  I think my views on things are starting to change and it’s leaving me in a quandary.  We all know that every year Christmas becomes more and more commercialized.  Decorations go up earlier in stores and they open their doors earlier on Black Friday just to accommodate people’s shopping. 

The biggest tragedy of all is that this starts the question, is Santa becoming the reason for the season instead of Jesus?

As I flip through the TV stations and see what’s on I see so many movies that miss the point.  Each one, in and of themselves, is not the problem.  I enjoyed “The Santa Clause” series, but in the scheme of things are they another symptom of a larger problem?

I look at the Christmas tree in our living room and ask myself, is this something that celebrates the birth of Jesus or does it glorify a pagan tradition?  If it doesn’t give Jesus glory is it something that I should have in my house?  Jesus was laid to rest in a manger, he died on a cross, he didn’t decorate an evergreen.  Next year, instead of a tree I may erect a cross with a manger under it.  It would be more appropriate.  Jesus was born to die and that is the only tree, the cross, that has any lasting meaning.

Maybe I’m just being cynical this year.  Maybe by the time next year comes around I’ll have this out of my system.  I hope not!  I don’t want to be lukewarm anymore.  I want my life to be a fire for the Lord of Hosts!  I don’t want to be lukewarm Laodicea, I want to be the ones who purchased gold refined in the fire, and white garments to cover my shame and salve for my eyes that I may see.  I want to endure to the end that I may be granted the right to sit on King David’s throne with Jesus.

So, throw off the secular tradition of Christmas and let’s return to celebrating the birth of Christ!