War on Christmas

I am so excited and grateful to be a part of this. Bodie Hodge has a new book coming out and it is something every Christian should read. Lots of scripture, too, which I greatly appreciate. Check it out here:

War On Christmas

I have one weird friend who doesn't put up a tree, doesn't exchange presents with anyone. A real grinch, right? That is what I thought at first. I was even guilty of giving her a hard time about it. I really did not understand. However, her defense is that all the celebrating that is done has nothing to do with Christ. Whoa. That was a blow.

 I adore putting up the Christmas tree. We take a picture nearly every year of our son topping the tree with the star. I reverently unwrap each snuggly-put-away ornament to hang, to claim a branch of its own for the current season. Tying the bow on the tree skirt my mom made when I was 10 or 11 brings back the scent of the fireplace, the fresh fir tree, warm apple cider and matching pj's for my sister and me. I unravel the lights and lovingly wrap them around the tree and most years, ferociously forbid my husband to adorn the tree with tinsel.

We put up a nativity scene with fir branches around the perimeter as homage to a tradition I picked up while in Germany. The nativity is quite accurate with only the cruche, Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. Right? No animals clutter the perfect scene and I don't burn "barn animals, hay, and manure" candles nearby.

We have a small tree that has all Peanuts ornaments for my teenage son's room. Of course, in our kitchen there is room for a firefighter-themed Christmas tree since that is my husband's profession. We have depicted and carefully assembled quite the cozy, secular, idolatrous picture of Christmas, haven't we?

I never evaluated how I personally contribute to the erosion of Christmas's true meaning, which is to celebrate the birth of our dear, precious Savior, Jesus Christ's birth. Hodge's book examines the history, the traditions and the real meaning. As a Christian, this is historically the most joyous occasion in the world. Yet am I, as a follower of Christ, polluting this holiday or making it only about Christ? Where is the line? Is buying gifts for family members sinful? Well, buying gifts in itself isn't as long as your motivation is recipient-focused. However, the timing of gift-giving at Christmas may be problematic.

Now, I am not saying I am going to divorce my Christmas tree ornaments or forsake celebrations or gift-giving. However, I am examining my own heart in regard to all of these things and War On Christmas is a timely, informative book that is guiding me through many of these issues. I will keep you posted on the book, the launch and my own self-examination.