I read an article on Fox News called “Christians are to Blame for the Commercialization of Christmas” that challenged me about how Christ centered my Christmas celebration really is. Not only did it challenge me, it gave me practical applications and i thought I would share with you.

At ekklesia communities church we talk a lot of being Gospel centered and our hope is to make sure that we point towards Jesus as much as possible, but what about Christmas? Christmas is so key to the Christian faith and it always surprises me how people are giving, singing songs about Jesus and celebrating the birth of Jesus. It’s pretty fascinating that one of the most popular holidays is about Jesus. But is really about Jesus?

The article talks about how Christians have given in to Christmas becoming a consumer holiday. More and more, Christmas is moving to Season’s Greetings or Happy Holiday, but the holiday is Christian. However if you look at our house, gifts, cards, decoration, and other things pertaining to Christmas it speaks of Santa and the Winter wonderland. Our houses are decorated with Christmas lights, reindeers, reefs, icicles and Santa Clause. Inside our homes, it looks the same with our Tree covered with ornaments, gifts wrapped with colorful paper and candy canes. Twinkle lights and colors are everywhere. Our greeting cards and gift tags say “happy holidays” and “Seasons Greetings”. We may have Nativity scene out, but does our home, gifts, and decorations say Jesus or something else?

I’m not trying to beat up on everyone, if you come to my house I’m embarrassed about how much twinkle and sparkle I have all over the house. It’s years and years of purchasing a candy cane here, a light up tree here and so on. As a pastor I didn’t even recognize that I was slowing moving the message of Jesus’ birth out of my home and the message my house conveys became something totally different.

Here is the practical challenge for those who want to keep Christ in Christmas or a have a more Jesus centered Christmas. I’m not saying stop decorating your house, but start decorating with things that resemble the reason for Christmas. Buy your family Christmas cards and make sure it says, “Christmas”, not “Season’s Greetings” or make sure they have a pictures of baby Jesus. By nativity scenes and make that the focal point of your outdoor and indoor decorations. By ornaments and other decorations that display the message of birth. I think you get the idea. As more and more people buy Christ centered decorations, the retail market will respond like wise and make better products.

I hope you would consider making some changes and how it could lead to a more Gospels centered Christmas and open up more Gospel Conversations. Have a great Christmas!!