More than any year in recent memory, I have noticed the popularity and "coolness" of folks professing atheism or agnosticism and expressing surprise and even disdain for those who profess religious faith. I have no doubt that some of it has to do with the "me over the we" mentality of many people today. The Washington Post reports that, according to a recent poll by the Christian group LifeWay Research, "A majority of agnostics or those claiming no preference (89 percent), individuals claiming other religions (62 percent), and even atheists (55 percent) celebrate Christmas along with 97 percent of Christians." For those who are focused on "me" Christmas can be a great gig. What better time to buy "gifts for me" as many people stated on Black Friday as their reason for braving the crowds? Of course, the church may have erred way back when it chose a pagan feast time to observe its own religious celebration of the birth of Christ. I find myself dreading the Christmas season each year, because it seems to be a time of excess and selfishness, clothed in an air of respectability, since the holiday focuses on peace and good will.
Having said all of that, I do love the meaning of the season. Advent has always been a season of joy and great expectation for me, and a time to re-imagine what the impact of God's messiah could be on the world. The message of Christ is not one that the majority of people embrace seriously, and that includes many practicing Christians. Christ's ethic is demanding, and many of us blithely pass over it and observe less demanding aspects of the faith. I love the liberal Protestant tradition of which I am a part, but I am embarrassed when Catholic and non-Christian friends ask me why there are so many Protestant denominations. Face it, denominations arose whenever Christian believers could not, or would not, resolve differences. It has always been easier to take one's doctrinal toys and go home than it has been to work out honest disagreement. My own home church thought a physical building was more important than unity, and thus the congregation split after our judicatory denied permission to rebuild after a fire totally destroyed our building. Admittedly, the locals in charge bungled how they announced the decision and would hear no appeals. But the building is not a church, the people are.
Finally, lest this rant leave one feeling depressed, I am more convinced than ever of the efficacy of the Christian message as a solution to the ills of the world. To all who scoff at the Bible or the message of Christ because they have not seen the Church behaving very well, I would encourage them to again look at the teaching of Jesus. He was, and is, the real deal, and he came to bring a new way. He should not be dismissed out of hand because God's people have done a poor job of communicating his message. So, my Christmas wish to you is for a new year filled with God's ever-new reality dawning on you anew each day. May Christ be revealed in unexpected and delightful ways to you in the new year, and may all of us be reasons that others decide to give the Gospel message another look. Merry Christmas!!!
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