Paul Derengowski, ThM
It is now the day after Christmas and the insanity—more like, ungodliness—of it all is about to cease—at least until next September, when it all starts to ramp up again.
Now comes all the long lines at all the retail stores where all of those “perfect” gifts are returned or exchanged for something that was really wanted.
Forget the reality that the whole idea of gift-giving simply does not make sense, given that “the reason for the season” is supposedly Jesus and his birth.
He is the one who was supposed to receive the gifts, not anyone else. But, I seriously doubt that a majority of Christmas revelers spent a dime on Jesus.
Remember, a couple years after Jesus was born, the three magi brought him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, all symbolizing something about the roles he would play in the redemption of the world.
Anyway, the stampede rivaling “Black Friday” will now ensue, as billions in revenue are lost and merchants are left wondering if they will be able to stay in business until next Christmas.
This morning it was reported that several retailers, like Sears, are already contemplating bankruptcy and advising those now holding gift cards to hurry up and use them, because if bankruptcy is declared, no one wants to be left holding onto a worthless piece of plastic.
Of course, Christmas, being the pagan holy day that it is, would not be the same without consumerism and making a buck off the gullible, even if that means cheating them out of their greenbacks by going insolvent shortly after the holy days are over.
It makes a person wonder, if Jesus was around, in the same manner as he walked the earth 2,000 years ago, would he approve of all the greedy maneuvering by the store owners and the long lines of dissatisfied customers playing “Let’s Make a Deal” with the retailer over Jesus’ alleged birthday gift or would he simply take up a whip and drive everybody out?
All I can is “Thank God it is all almost over!”
When I was younger, Christmas was something special. All of the Christmas gifts and things that came along with the day still had nothing to do with the birth of the Savior. But, ignorance is bliss, which is what made it special.
Now that I am older and have learned what Christmas is really all about, either through study or simply watching all the greed and gluttony, I have come to abhor the day.
It is the worst of the all the so-called “holy days” or holidays.
Today, the day after Christmas is simply another reason why, which rebuts the notion that “Jesus is the reason for the season.”
Christmas is not about Jesus, it never has been, nor will it ever be.
Christmas is about bad theology, greediness, and pretentiousness.
But, I would venture to guess that very few, if any of those standing in the long lines today, professing to be “Christians,” will give those a second thought.
The day after Christmas, in all of its insanity, is merely part and parcel of how Christmas evolves with the times, none of which has anything to do with the biblical Jesus, as King, Priest, and Servant, and everything to do with ignoring him as such.
Here’s hoping, that if you are one of those getting ready to stand in line and make that gift return or exchange, you will pause and ask yourself, “Is this really about Jesus or is this about me?”
You will know the answer come next year, if you are standing the same line, doing the same thing all over again.
