Christmas & commerce

Balancing Christmas and commericalism isn't as easy as it used to seem. Not with the economy in the doldrums, unemployment in the rafters, and a graph of your retirement fund imitating the EKG of a loyal Texas Baptist watching the fourth quarter of a Baylor football game.

If you're like many thoughtful Christians, you've been advocating more of Christ and less of commercialism for as many Christmases as you can remember. But be honest now: Weren't you at least a little bit relieved to read headlines trumpeting the success of Black Friday?

Seasonal paradox

We're facing a paradoxical Christmas, and truth exists at both ends of the spectrum.

Of course, eternal spiritual truth remains. Christmas isn't about presents and "stuff" and material goods. God gave the only truly valuable Christmas gift when he sent his Son to Earth, so that everyone who believes in Jesus will not perish, but experience everlasting life. 

Not only is topping that gift impossible, but every other attempt is so different in kind and scale, you can't even make rational comparisons. Still, along the way, Christ-followers began imitating the Magi, who brought gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Infant Babe. The difference, of course, is that Christians celebrated Jesus' birth by bestowing those gifts upon each other, rather than upon Jesus.

But still, at least the Christmas tradition of gift-giving transferred people's attention from themselves to the people they love. Outward affection is good. 

Gifts of charity

Along the way, Christians began celebrating their Savior's birth by caring for the people who touched Jesus' heart. That's the major reason the Christmas season also is the season of charity (well, that and end-of-year tax breaks). Many Christians express their gratitude to God for the gift of Jesus by helping to meet the needs of the folks Jesus called "the least of these"—the poor, disenfranchised, sick, widowed, orphaned and otherwise needy. And many groups, such as Baptists, historically collect money at Christmas to support mission work, enabling them to present the best Christmas gift of all—the story of God's love in Christ—to people who have not heard.

Charity remains the best way to celebrate Christmas.  But in tough economic times, many folks respond to a practical, commercial aspect of charity. They go shopping. Maybe they think, "Hey, if shopping is a solid strategy for fighting terrorism, then it's also a good way to defend capitalism."

Econ 101

The thinking goes like this: Our economy is in a slump. Business has scaled back. Companies have laid off labor, and people are out of work. If we buy products, companies might ramp up to replace them. People will go back to work. Investors will regain confidence. The stock market will rise. Our retirement funds will increase in value. Happy days will be here again.

Of course, that's an oversimplification, but it's not far off. And so we have arrived at a Christmas season when it seems like the charitable and patriotic thing to go shopping.

How do we live out our faith in a season such as this?

Balance … balance

Well, perhaps as is true in so many aspects of life, balance is the key. 

Thoughtful, prudent gift-giving can make a difference in people's lives—and not simply the ones who untie your ribbons and open your packages on Christmas morning. Of course, going into debt to make it happen isn't wise. But if you've got the money, maybe this year is a good time to give durable goods that improve the economy and bless loved ones.

Still, this isn't the time to indulge in selfish materialism at the expense of others. More than most Christmases in memory, people need tangible help. Gifts to ministries that serve hurting people deserve our sacrificial support.

And the whole world needs Jesus as never before. The best and most valuable gifts are the funds we invest in spreading the story of the first Christmas and what that Baby means to the whole world.