I am tired of hearing people tell me where the tradition of Santa Claus comes from.
This is not a “Bah! Humbug!” moment. I love the Advent season and Christmas. I started playing the music after pie on Thanksgiving. I already feel the joy. My problem is the extreme lengths people go to trying to justify their traditions as if they are sacred doctrine.
Sunday I attended church with my son. They were having a service that they called “The Hanging of the Greens.” It was the churches answer to variety shows. It was broken up into segments focusing on each of the traditional decorations of Christmas: Wreaths, trees, poinsettias, nativity, etc. Each segment had a reading that gave the background for the item. Then they had some kind of musical presentation. Interesting. Not necessarily true.
I have been around long enough to hear multiplied versions of all the different traditions. They are usually presented as the results of research and are the true reason we do ________. I want people to accept these as entertainment and inspiration, not as the last word in truth. No one really knows where the Santa Claus story comes from. No one really knows who lit the first Christmas tree.
On the other hand there are the facts. In the fulness of time, God became man. He was born of the virgin Mary and named Jesus. He came to go to the cross and die for our sins. He came to be resurrected and give us the assurance of eternal life. He will come again. Those are not cute theories or pleasant inspirational stories. Those are truth.
Learn the difference and enjoy all of the season. Remember it is not a sin to eat a veggie burger and be satisfied as long as you don’t claim it is the same as the real thing.
Merry Christmas.
homo unius libri
Enjoyed reading your blog today. I like the facts too!
ReplyDeleteAt least when you look at facts you know you have a real reason to worry or celebrate.
DeleteGrace and peace.