December is one of my favorite months.  My birthday is the 9th of this month.  Of course Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year.”  And the end of December closes out a year and welcomes the prospect of a clean slated new year.  For many, however, Christmas gets out of hand. My goal for this season this year is to simplify Christmas.

Recently, a sermon by one of my favorite preachers, Voddie Baucham included something that set me to thinking.  He stated that the Guinness record for the most expensive decorated Christmas tree stands at just over $11 million.  Some of you husbands may want to ask your wife to submit their receipts to Guinness.  They may have surpassed it!

The amazing fact about the world record Christmas tree is it’s location.  The tree was displayed December 16-29, 2010 in the Emirates Palace shopping mall in Abu Dhabi, UAE.  Do you get the double irony of that?

First of all, the tree is located in a commercial center.  Not a place of worship, mind you, but a place of commerce.  I think maybe if Jesus were walking the Earth these days, He wouldn’t overturn tables in church.  He would overturn Christmas trees in shopping centers.  How we have commercialized this blessed celebration!

The second significance is that the tree is located in a Muslim country – The United Arab Emirates.  In the UAE it is illegal to be a Christian.  In fact, it is so illegal as to be a capital offense.  We have so secularized the celebration of our Savior’s birth that is can be gladly welcomed in a Muslim country.  

A Simple Story

The Son of God taking on flesh and dwelling among us is a deep and almost unbelievable truth.  However, God went about accomplishing the feat using the simplest of people, places, and things.

He chose the womb of a nondescript young engaged teenager.  He paired her with a hard working, tenderhearted man who would care for her and the baby.  God announced the birth of His Son to common shepherds.  Granted, He provided quite the sky show with the angels. But shepherds were the first to hear the news.

Jesus was born a small agricultural village not known for much except providing lambs for sacrifice in Jerusalem.  How about the irony of that?  And Jesus’ birth accommodations came among the animals and His first crib was a dirty, uncomfortable feed trough.  

All of this a far cry from the ornate decoration, grand productions, and elaborate programs that we often associate with celebrating Christmas.  Yes.  Maybe it IS time to simplify Christmas.

Us v Them

We need to pump the brakes on our rush to blame pagans and godless people for ruining Christmas.  I think we can find plenty of fault in Christian community.  Those of us who should know better, are just as guilty of distorting Christmas as anyone.

We can’t wait to get the decorations up.  And we declare our love for the “season.”  We want to hear the songs, attend the parties, and eat the food.  Oh, yes!  The food!

We boast of “keeping Christ in Christmas,” and remember that He is the “reason for the season.”  But often those are merely cute catchphrases standing in stark contrast to our Yuletide thoughts, affections, choices, and actions.

A Path To Simplify Christmas

This month, I plan to write more about the nouns that Simplify Christmas – the people, places, and things.  I want to redirect my attention to the simple truth and purpose of the Son of God becoming flesh.  So look for more blogs in the coming days.

Second, let me encourage you to read the Christmas story.  Read something from the first two chapters of Luke and Matthew each day.  Slow down and reflect on the simplicity of what you read.  Notice the people, places, things. 

Third, intentionally let the Christmas traditions around you focus your attention on Jesus.  Don’t just seem them for what they are.  Let the lights remind you that Jesus is the Light of the World.  In all the dark times you face, He has answers. Let the tree remind you of the cross on which He died for your sin.  Let the wreaths remind you of the everlasting life that is yours, both now (green) and eternity (circle).

Then finally, find a good Advent devotional and spend a few moments each day redirecting your attention to Christ.  I have a link below to the one I am reading this season and I highly recommend it.

I think you will discover the most meaningful Christmas when you simplify Christmas.

Voddie Baucham excerpt on Guinness Record Christmas Tree

Guinness Record Page about the Most Expensive Christmas Tree

Daily Advent Devotional from CRU (formerly, Campus Crusade for Christ).