There are several references in the Gospels to a statement made by Jesus long before the modern day rituals of the season began. One of them is in the book of Matthew, chapter 6, verse 24, which states that man cannot serve both God and Mammon. Mammon is avarice or greed. In another place, the Bible tells us "the love of money is the root of all evil." It is very often misquoted to say that 'money is the root of all evil'. This is not correct. Money is just a means of exchange, not inherently evil or good. The good or evil in money is in our love affair with it. Another place tells us those that love money will never have enough. The pursuit of the dollar is not evil. It is a necessary means to meet the needs of our daily living. It is when the amassing of wealth is the ends and not the means that it becomes evil.
In our society, many have begun to serve the god of the season. Do I believe that there are those out there that know the real God of the season? Yes! However, overwhelmingly more and more are serving the greed of the season. We are entering the commercial mecca for TV. We are about to be inundated with ads more so than any time of the year. The gods of the season are poised to attack in a vicious onslaught the likes of which has never been seen before. Brace yourself for that onslaught. TV shows will be cut in half to make room for the toy ads. Electronic toys for adults will fill our living rooms and bedrooms. Our medium for entertainment is about to become the most annoying salesman that ever lived.
The worst part of it is that we have told ourselves that we can intermingle the two Gods of the season without any harm to the other. That is like adding something to pure gold to make it better. No matter the value of the second material to be added, it will make the gold worth less. Adding anything materialistic to the season celebrating the birth of the Christ child makes it worthless. I will cling to the value of the birth of Christ. I will cling to the love displayed by the act of God robing himself in flesh and dying for me.isn'tisnt in the mass of toys that will be displayed under tinseled and lighted trees.
Tammy and I had a discussion about traditions and my lack of them concerning holidays. I cannot embrace the traditional values of this season, since said values have long ago left the real reason for the season. There are still people out there that hold to the old reasons. There are still families out there that find the true meaning of Christmas.
That is the miracle of Christmas. The miracle is that, in the middle of all this commercialism. In the middle of all the merchants wringing their hands and counting their money, in the middle of all that is not like Christ, some will find Him. Some will find Christ in the midst of the season of Mammon. Some will hold on to that knowledge that this is the celebration of His birth. It is the celebration of the reason for that birth.
My hope and wish to you is this:
In the middle of this sea of greed, you find the gift of giving.
In our society, many have begun to serve the god of the season. Do I believe that there are those out there that know the real God of the season? Yes! However, overwhelmingly more and more are serving the greed of the season. We are entering the commercial mecca for TV. We are about to be inundated with ads more so than any time of the year. The gods of the season are poised to attack in a vicious onslaught the likes of which has never been seen before. Brace yourself for that onslaught. TV shows will be cut in half to make room for the toy ads. Electronic toys for adults will fill our living rooms and bedrooms. Our medium for entertainment is about to become the most annoying salesman that ever lived.
The worst part of it is that we have told ourselves that we can intermingle the two Gods of the season without any harm to the other. That is like adding something to pure gold to make it better. No matter the value of the second material to be added, it will make the gold worth less. Adding anything materialistic to the season celebrating the birth of the Christ child makes it worthless. I will cling to the value of the birth of Christ. I will cling to the love displayed by the act of God robing himself in flesh and dying for me.isn'tisnt in the mass of toys that will be displayed under tinseled and lighted trees.
Tammy and I had a discussion about traditions and my lack of them concerning holidays. I cannot embrace the traditional values of this season, since said values have long ago left the real reason for the season. There are still people out there that hold to the old reasons. There are still families out there that find the true meaning of Christmas.
That is the miracle of Christmas. The miracle is that, in the middle of all this commercialism. In the middle of all the merchants wringing their hands and counting their money, in the middle of all that is not like Christ, some will find Him. Some will find Christ in the midst of the season of Mammon. Some will hold on to that knowledge that this is the celebration of His birth. It is the celebration of the reason for that birth.
My hope and wish to you is this:
In the middle of this sea of greed, you find the gift of giving.
Merry Christmas .. And more merry as the day gets closer.
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