CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
In spite of the fact that Christ is really not at the center of Christmas for most people... In spite of the fact that Americans stress over the whole thing... In spite of the fact that there is a level of retail frenzy without parallel in history or the rest of the world, I'm convinced that there is some value in the hysteria of Christmas giving.
This is perhaps for many people the one time of the year when they are forced to get outside themselves. We live in a society which tolerates (encourages?) a high degree of self-absorption. But at Christmas time people HAVE to think of what they're going to get for OTHER people. And a lot of the Christmas stress comes from this "unnatural" expectation -- people are being forced to operate outside their comfort zone. And in a sense this has value.
It's the element of otherness that somewhat redeems our paganized Christmas. And in spite of the fact that Christmas giving has become detached from the Gift that God himself has given -- it's a token of acknowledgment that I'm not the only one in the universe -- that possibly, quite possibly, there might be a giving reality beyond myself.
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32
Nativity by He Qi
In spite of the fact that Christ is really not at the center of Christmas for most people... In spite of the fact that Americans stress over the whole thing... In spite of the fact that there is a level of retail frenzy without parallel in history or the rest of the world, I'm convinced that there is some value in the hysteria of Christmas giving.
This is perhaps for many people the one time of the year when they are forced to get outside themselves. We live in a society which tolerates (encourages?) a high degree of self-absorption. But at Christmas time people HAVE to think of what they're going to get for OTHER people. And a lot of the Christmas stress comes from this "unnatural" expectation -- people are being forced to operate outside their comfort zone. And in a sense this has value.
It's the element of otherness that somewhat redeems our paganized Christmas. And in spite of the fact that Christmas giving has become detached from the Gift that God himself has given -- it's a token of acknowledgment that I'm not the only one in the universe -- that possibly, quite possibly, there might be a giving reality beyond myself.
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -- how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32
Nativity by He Qi
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