The War On Christmas - Part One

I find it very amusing (if not downright aggravating) to observe the arguments and debates regarding the so-called “War on Christmas.” Both sides of the issue, from liberal secularists to conservative Christians, can be quite passionate in their respective beliefs. Those on the left scream for a protection of the sacred American principle of separation of church and state, while those on the right cry about the persecution they must endure and that since “Jesus is the reason for the season,” why would we dare gloss over His importance to the holiday for the sake of tolerance and political correctness?

When you approach the issue from a different perspective, however, I think you see something completely different. When you look at what Christmas has become in our society and compare it to what it was originally meant to embody, you will find that more than anything else we have taken Christ out of the very holiday that bears His name. We have replaced His message of redemption and reconciliation with one of consumption and shallow fulfillment.

Before I continue, I think it's important to give the oft-used disclaimer. It's very easy for me to write these thoughts from the comfort of my roommate's nice leather couch while enjoying the Sunday night football game in high definition on my new plasma television. By decrying the actions of our society so harshly, I remind myself that I'm not above the masses when it comes to consumerism, that I have more to offer the problem than I do the solution. I only seek with these words to understand the disease that sometimes inhibits our minds and actions and work from there to remedy it.

I'm going to continue to blog my thoughts on this subject in the coming days and weeks. Feel free to join in the conversation.