Christmas Revolution

A few of you may have noticed the other day that my facebook status said I was looking for ways to have a "subversive Christmas."  I wanted to take a few minutes to talk about what I meant exactly.

If you're not familiar with that term, Encarta defines it as:  

Subversive: [adj] somebody involved in subversive activities: somebody involved in activities intended to undermine or overthrow a government or other institution

The definition I am going for of course is the overthrowing of an institution.  I have no current plans to overthrow the government, but I'll let you know if that changes.  I believe that Christmas as we practice it here and now has gotten so far away from the simple celebration of our Savior, that we need to do something, anything, to change it.

Here's the deal; one evening about two thousand and eight years ago, or so, angels appeared in the skies above a field of shepherds and announced to them that the long awaited Messiah had come.

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

This was how the very first Christmas was heralded in.  The Creator of the Universe didn't invite any world leaders, the rich or other MVP types into the most important events in all of history.  Instead, He invited poor working class field hands to come and share in this world changing event.  When this humble King grew up, He did not live in luxury or excess, instead, He chose to live as a homeless carpenter; hanging out with the poor, the sick, and the downtrodden.  That's the Jesus I love.  He cares for those who no one else cares about.      

So how did the birth of Jesus come to become an orgy of rampant consumerism and mindless busy-ness?  How did we trade in the worship of Jesus the King for the worship of the idols of shopping and merchandise?  I don't really know, but I want to stop it now.  Since we're all adults now, we are free to work to change things in this world that we don't like.  

Susan and I want to work to build a Christmas for our family that first glorifies God in the highest and then produces peace and good will between all men.  We want to find new patterns, rhythms, and traditions that hold true to the character of Jesus first and foremost.

Now I'm sure there may be two things running through your mind right now.  

First, you may be saying to yourself now, good grief, I don't want to hear about Christmas yet, it’s too early.  I totally understand that, but since I want to work to change the way my family and people around us totally perceive the holiday, I can’t wait too long.  

Last year Susan and I tried to change up the way we did Christmas, but we didn't start talking about it until a few weeks before Christmas  By that point, everyone had already been sucked into the Christmas money machine and weren't very receptive.  We also took a lot of heat from some in our families for trying to opt out and not buy gifts for every single person.  So we can't wait or we'll get in trouble again.

Second, you may also be thinking, good grief Jason, can't you just leave anything well enough alone. The answer to that is apparently not.  Christmas is one of the most significant events in the history of the universe, yet our celebration and recognition of that event is so gross and different from the character of the person we celebrate that something has to change.

Now please don't label me as a Christmas hater. I love the holiday so much and want to see it as a true celebration of the birth of our savior and not a consumeristic mockery that it can be at times now. 

So I'm looking for co-conspirators in my Christmas Revolution.  Am I the only one that is fed up with business as usual, or would anyone else like to join me in my subversion?  I plan on posting several more things to help the fight over the next few weeks.  Let me know some of your thoughts on this because I'd love to discuss it some more.