The Traditions of Christmas

There are the universal traditions--trees and presents, red and green, nativity scenes and Santa, reindeers and elves--and the personal ones handed down in families, sometimes for generations. They call up sweet memories--comfort and joy!

Traditions are interesting things. Some are sacred and some are mundane. Some are mundane that we hold as sacred. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their traditions. (Matthew 15:1-9)

Christmas, itself, is a tradition that was man-conceived. It was never suggested, much less commanded, by God that we celebrate the birth of his Son. That said, how do we evaluate Jesus' attitude toward this holiday with it's many traditions?

Deck the Halls

"I have never been able to reconcile myself to the gaities of the Christmas season. They have appeared to me to be so inconsistent with the life and teaching of Jesus."
--Gandhi

If Gandhi was referring to the gluttonous materialism that pervades the Christmas season, I understand his concern. If he meant hedonistic partying, he was also right in his judgments. Both of these excesses have contaminated our celebrations of the birth of Christ.