The New "Reason for the Season"

Posted December 14, 2007

A commentary by Frank Dunkle

Here in the United States the symbols of the season seem to be everywhere: colored lights and tinsel, evergreen trees and holly, Santa and his elves—and a long parade of television Christmas specials.

Like many readers of Vertical Thought, I don't celebrate Christmas because I understand that it is not of biblical origin and does not really honor Jesus Christ. Yet, I have had to admit a certain respect for America's persistent devotion to publicly celebrating at least one religious event each year. Though acting in error, most people have seemed to want to honor God at least briefly each year.

Recently my television showed me that even that small positive aspect of the season is quickly disappearing.

The other night, I happened to see part of a new animated television special—advertised as "destined to become a classic!" Featuring characters from the popular Shrek movies, it humorously portrayed the main character's ignorance of how to celebrate Christmas. He was an ogre, after all, and had never done it before. Through a variety of humorous mishaps, Shrek finally learns the "true meaning" of the holiday: spending time with family and exchanging gifts.

That conclusion came as a real shock to me, because I had expected something entirely different.

During my childhood I had many times seen the animated special, A Charlie Brown Christmas. In it, like Shrek, Charlie Brown experiences several humorous mishaps that lead him to wonder, Why go to all the bother? Then, at the end, his friend Linus gives a moving talk about the human birth of Jesus Christ, reminding all the characters of the supposed religious foundation of Christmas, and the story comes to a happy ending.

Although most American television programming has little value, a comparison of these two Christmas specials provides a significant lesson on the "progress" of our culture in recent years. Forty-something years have passed since the first Charlie Brown version was made. In that time society has steadily removed even tangential and incorrect references to Christianity from the public consciousness.

In the past, bumper stickers on cars reminded people to "remember the reason for the season." Now, cartoon characters tell children that getting gifts and spending time with family comprise the only real reason there is for the one holiday that unites most people in Western nations. We live in a world that more and more denies the existence of its Creator and laughs at those few of us who are determined to study His Word, the Bible, and to live by it.

I am certainly not suggesting that we strive to honor God through a religious observance of Christmas. That day in fact really means little more than getting presents and going to parties.

Wouldn't it be better to celebrate days that truly have a significant, deeper meaning for your life? The Bible lists seven annual Holy Days whose meaning explains the whole purpose for human existence and our exciting future. You can learn about all of them by ordering or downloading the free booklet Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep? VT