The Christmas Debate

The Christmas Debate
by Louise Bergmann DuMont

While on my coffee break the other day, I overheard a group engage in a rather heated discussion about how to spell Christmas (Christmas, CHRISTmas or Xmas). Although a number good points were made, it seems to me that our time could be spent solving more critical problems. Here are a few that come to mind:

Problem: Homeless shelters, soup kitchens and toy drives get sufficient help during the Christmas season. Yet during the summer, when kids are out of school and receive no subsidized breakfasts or free lunches, these programs run dangerously low on food, money and volunteers.
Solution: Christians could eliminate the volunteer crisis by using summer vacation time to work in a soup kitchen. We could rent less movies, buy less lattés, and order less pizzas – then donate the extra money to a shelter.

Problem: Around the holidays, some Christians spend hours stringing their homes with lights and setting up their plastic crèche only to find that they have little time for other tasks.
Solution: If Christians served in their communities the living Christ would be made visible to the unsaved. Shoveling a neighbor’s driveway, working in shelter, chairing a local clothing drive, building access ramps for the disabled, or grocery shopping for housebound seniors puts flesh and bone on the Messiah of Christmas.

Problem: Christians who exclusively spend time with other Christians have no one to share the gospel with during the holidays.
Solution: I suggest that we celebrate Christmas by reading to groups of children at the public library or in public schools. Different Just Like Me by Lori Mitchell is a wonderful Christian book that offers children a look at diverse people and how each fits nicely into God’s world. Another award winning Christian book (generally accepted by most librarians) is Three Trees by Angela Hunt.

Problem: Some Christians offer the world a joyless, boring Christmas.
Solution: Instead of complaining that Christmas is too commercial – Christians can take a lesson from Wall Street. A touch of ‘bling’ gets the customer’s attention and gives an amazing product (Christianity) the chance to be seen. A toss of tinsel and a taste turkey will go a long way to share the truth of Christmas. Let’s invite our coworkers, neighbors and unbelieving friends to the most amazing, unforgettable, Christian Christmas celebration ever.

It should be obvious at this point that how we write the word “Christmas” is not an issue for me. I need to focus on being an ambassador. Christmas is not about good deeds – but my good deeds will illustrate my Messiah to those who don’t know him. Christmas is not about presents, but gifts can fill a stomach, warm a hand and lift a spirit – opening someone’s mind and heart to the Good News. Christmas is not about family or neighbors – yet my family and my community needs to see me become more Christ-like.

My Christmas wish for you is that Jesus may warm your heart, move your feet, and help your hands to reach someone who needs to see Christ in you this Christmas.

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12: 10-18