“Does Rudolph, the Red-Nose Reindeer promote bullying?”
“Is it ok to listen to Baby, It’s Cold Outside?”
“Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?
In our country today, it is no secret that we are incredibly divided: about politics, race, religion, even aspects of popular culture.
And, during Christmas, especially this year, that division still shows. We have forgotten what Christmas is all about, and so we try to control it. We cling to shows, music, and movies, that we have associated with Christmas all our lives. Then, if one person finds fault in anything we watch or listen to, we find another thing to fight about.
We focus on gifts, on time off, on “holiday parties.” Yet, no one is better than the other, we all are guilty in our way. However, even for the lifelong Christian, there are times when we specifically want to make Christmas all about us, and forget exactly why we celebrate it year after year.
When I was growing up in Lousiana, our church put on a twenty-minute walk through drama at our local mall called Journey to Bethlehem. Members of our church would all dress up as first century Jews, tax collectors, and Roman soldiers. Christmas shoppers would walk through as merchants, potters, would greet them one by one, always asking,
“Have you seen Him?” The actors in our mini-Bethlehem would lead those shoppers until they reached a live Nativity, with a husband and wife, playing Joseph and Mary, while their baby would be Jesus.
My family was part of Journey for several years. My dad was always a copper merchant, while I loved playing music on a flute, and eating grapes and bread with my mom out of a reed basket.
It was the flute though that got me into some trouble.
Like many kids my age, I loved Britney Spears, NSYNC, Backstreet Boys. I wore each CD I had of theirs out.
Being a child actor in Journey, I was supposed to act and look like a first-century child, like everyone else. This was meant to keep the focus on Jesus, and not on the distractions of the world.
Yet, in my head, I thought, “It would be cool if I played a Britney song…”
So, I played a Britney song, along with two or three others on my flute.
People passed by, no one seemed to notice, until one man said, “Hey kid, I recognize that song.”
I stopped then and got a talking to from my parents and the director of Journey later. I thought I was having fun, but little did I realize, that not only was I not focusing on Jesus, but I was also keeping someone else from doing the same.
Christmas Day is less than four days away. Soon many will be with family and friends, eating good food and giving each other gifts. Yet, I can assure there will be fights: about movies, music, politics, sports, family, faith, and even gifts. Failure in this way has and will be a reminder that we are all sinners, not even close to perfect.
Yet, it is because of Jesus, the “reason for the season,” that we have hope. We don’t have to fight; we don’t have to quarrel or hate.
So, wherever you are this Christmas, put down your phone, turn off the TV, or whatever is keeping you from being present with those around you.
Then, take a moment, spend meaningful time with your friends and loved ones. Listen, don’t debate. Give big hugs, don’t try to fix anyone. And, remember, the Gospel story that began in a manager in Bethlehem has the power to still change all mankind, even the hardest and most distant heart.
Merry Christmas!
Jacob McGowen
December 2018
The Adventures of A Warrior 