Christmas and Commercialism

It is quite disturbing to see how commercialism and retail interests have completely removed the meaning of Christmas. Everywhere I look, christmas has now been changed into a shopping season, not unlike the Great Singapore Sale. It has become an eating season. Everywhere we see images of talking reindeer, fat old men dressed in fur, moving snowmen and other freakish talking animals.
To me, Christmas has always been the rememberance of the birth of Jesus, the day hope was given to the world. As fortold in Genesis, "Man was given mortal pain, but the blessed God came down, teaching that his death will bring to man, comfort." Christmas is joy tinged with sadness, knowing that it took the death of an innocent man to save us from our sin, that the omnipotent God would choose to die for an ungrateful race, that we are given a gift so precious that none of us deserve it. That is theChristmas present that was given on Cristmas day. That is the gift we have to give to others on this day.
Yet, we are told by retail outlets that Christmas presents are material possessions. That happiness is a big lcd television set. That happiness is the newest electronic gizmo. That happiness is having a lavish meal of overpriced beef. That is the biggest deception of the world, that possessions bring happiness.
So at Christmas, I don't usually buy gifts. People may say that I am stingy. But why perpetuate a lie?
Rather I try to present the gift that is much more important, especially to those who have yet to receive this gift. The gift of life, and a life living with a closeness to a loving God. What else could possibly bring greater happiness?

Posted by email from Adam's posterous