Light on Pagan Traditions: Acts 10.9-16

“What God has cleansed you must not call common.” Acts 10.15

It is Advent once again. Advent is the season of four weeks, particularly Sundays, that lead up to the celebration of Christmas. We spend those weeks in a time of spiritual contemplation and preparation for the coming, the Advent, of Christ on Christmas day. Often people celebrate Advent beginning on the first day of December. In traditional, liturgical church settings Advent is observed for the four Sundays immediately before Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This year, the first Sunday in Advent is November 30.

Christians often lose sight of the significance of Advent, and specifically the Christmas event, because of the secular, cultural event that Christmas has become over the years. We can get caught up in the atmosphere of the 'season' and lose sight of our spiritual underpinnings.

In recent years many Christians have rebelled against the secularization of Christmas. They draw back from celebrating parts of the holiday because it is pagan. I would like to look at some of the 'secular' or 'pagan' aspects of Christmas and view them in light of the overwhelming nature of God's love and grace.

• The Christmas Tree. The Christmas tree is borrowed from the ancient winter celebrations of the druids who worshiped the evergreen tree. It was adopted, however, as a sign of a Christian holiday. It is believed that Martin Luther was the first to decorate a Christmas tree. The always green nature of the tree remind us of the eternal life that God has made available for all people. The needles point to heaven. This is a reminder to always focus our lives and our prayers toward God.
• The Wreath. The wreath, often made of evergreen boughs- reminds us again of everlasting life in Christ, is formed in a circle. This circle ought to remind us that God's love is eternal. There is no beginning and no end to God's love for us.
• Santa Claus. The very nature of the Santa Claus character is one of giving, love, caring and grace. This is very similar to the nature of God. Secular people have a great longing for a "God-figure." Santa fills that need. Christians ought to see the veneration of Santa in America as a good sign, not a threat to the Christian message.
• Gift Giving. Although we often point to the gifts given by the Wise Men in the Christmas story, the current traditions about gift-giving have gotten a little out of control. When giving this Christmas, do it in the spirit of John 3.16. God gave his Son...
• Bells. There are silver bells, sleigh bells, Salvation Army bells and other bells on Christmas Day. Remember that the bell was a tool of the shepherd who would use a bell to summon his sheep. Our Christmas bells should remind us of God calling us home.
• Candles. Candles are lovely and create a charming atmosphere for the holidays, but we should allow them to represent for us the light of Christ coming into the world.
• Decorations. Although some people go overboard in their decorating, decorating for the birth of Jesus should remind us to always give our best to the Lord.