The Reason for the Season

We know the phrase. "Jesus is the reason for the season." We say it like it's unusual. We say it like there's another reason and we need to remind people. And I get why. Our culture has largely kicked Christ out of Christmas. Look, I'm not complaining. I mean, Jesus said they hated Him. We get it. But I got to thinking. If Jesus is not the reason for the season ... what is?

So let's actually run this through and see how it comes out. Let's take Christ out of Christmas. What does that look like? Well, obviously, now it's just "Mas." But, of course, it's not even that, since "mas" refers to the church. Nope, right out. So we don't have the term anymore. We might try the "less offensive" "Holiday," but the origin of "holiday" is "holy day" and we're not going there, either. So, we're left with ... a day. But, it's a day of joy and cheer! Right? Not really. The origins of the joy and cheer are biblical -- Christian. There's really no reason that December 25th should be any cheerier than any other day if there's no Christ to celebrate. Unless, I suppose, you really like cold weather or something. (Which doesn't really work because it's summer in Australia and because some of us live in less than frigid climates anyway.)

So, let's see ... what have we got? We have an event operated for commercial ventures that try to get you to buy exorbitant amounts of gifts (and shame you if you don't) for no discernible reason. Buy, buy, buy. Decorations, cards, food, gifts, trees, ornaments, lights ... on and on and on. Oh, joy. We've got nothing.

I've always wanted to find an atheist with integrity who would say, "I don't believe in any of this stuff, so I'm not going to take advantage of the gifts and the time off and all that. I'll just treat it like any other day." Not that they're not out there; I just haven't met one yet. But the truth is this season of joy and love and giving and generosity really is predicated on the astounding gift God gave in the form of His only Son who became a human being for us. "Good news of great joy that will be for all the people," the angel said. Phenomenally good news. So why wouldn't we celebrate it? (Did you know there was a time when Christmas celebrations were illegal? Here in this country?) Christmas -- the Advent, the coming of Christ, God with us -- is one of the best possible moments in all of history to celebrate. On the other hand, without that event, we've got nothing. We're dupes, tricked by commerce to pay money and feel warm for no actual reason. I'll stick with my reason for the season, thank you very much.