by Deacon Peggy Hahn (she/her), Executive Director at LEAD

Please really give this some thought. Pause reading this for even a few seconds to ask yourself – What is a Christian Christmas? If I follow Jesus, what do I add or subtract, maximize or minimize, in my Christmas practice that makes it Christian?

I’m a fan of Hindu, Muslim, agnostic, atheist, nones, and everyone in between celebrating Christmas. The beautiful light in a season of darkness is life-giving. The generosity of gifting friends and family is hard wired into humanity. The parties, decorations, yummy food – why not to share with the universe? This is goodwill towards all people, right? Joy to the world?

But what is distinct about a Christian Christmas? … well, at the heart of the season?

Here are three thoughts for your further wondering:

• Giving gifts is not about the gift, or even the gift giver, for followers of Jesus. The gift is about the person we are gifting. The friends of the paralyzed man thought he needed to walk, Jesus thought he needed forgiveness [Mark 2]. Who do you or I need to forgive this year? What relationships need to be restored? As we shop for loved ones, how can we use this time to hear beyond their superficial needs, to their broken hearts, pain, grief, isolation or even joy? Is there an experience to share instead of or along with an item to offer?
• Traditional food, even cookies, is not just for those of us who eat well every day. Can we invest in sharing meals with lonely or hungry people in this season? Can the party have a different guest list, like your neighbors that you are trying to get to know, or someone you just met? Can we share some of our food budget with meal-insecure people by gifting them with unexpected money? Who do you come across in daily life that is hungry or thirsty? What new relationship can you spark over a cup of coffee? The woman at the well thought she was giving Jesus a cup of water, but in the end, he gave her a new life [John 4].
• Time together is not just for our family and dearest friends. Our time is one of our greatest resources. We all feel over-busy in the Advent season, but Christmas brings a very different, even peaceful, spirit. Instead of passing by Jesus made time to stop at Zaccheaus’s home, in person, to get to know the guy. Everything changed for Zaccheaus and the people he was stealing from [Luke 19]. Who needs your attention once we have celebrated the birth of baby Jesus? This season starts the day after Christmas Eve for followers of Jesus. Who do you know that needs someone to drive them to the doctor? Are there parents who need a break from their children for a date night? Are there children who need someone other than their caregivers to appropriately invest time in their lives? Are there people who do not speak English that need an advocate? Christmas is a beautiful time to truly practice what we preach.

Remember the old song, “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”? This is the Christian version of our holiday season. Of course, Hindu, Muslim, agnostic, atheist, nones, and everyone in between are showing love. The question is not about them – it is about us. How can followers of Jesus show love in shocking ways? We can do better than survive the hectic activities of Advent. Think of Advent like labor pains – we can give birth to something new by giving more than expected in the Christmas season.