In a recent panel discussion in NBC’s Today show, the topic was about “outsourcing” our Christmas chores—that is, hiring people to do things like putting up decorations or buying gifts. Panelist Star Jones commented that her primary focus for the season was the “religion part” (which would include praying, for example). She said that aspect of Christmas cannot be outsourced. Another panelist, Nancy Snyderman, interrupted Jones and declared: “I don’t like the religion part. I think religion is what mucks the whole thing up.” And when Jones remarks that “we wouldn’t have the holiday if it wasn’t for the religion part,” Snyderman responds, “I think that’s what makes the holidays so stressful.”
Everyone has the right to approach the season in any way she wants. But what caught my attention is Snyderman’s statement that the Christ-focused reason for Christmas “mucks up the whole thing” and “makes the holiday so stressful.” Whoa! I beg to disagree.
I would suggest that the cause for much stress is the commercialism that has engulfed Christmas. The consumer mindset has so taken over our sensibilities that we think Christmas is all about giving or receiving a present—oftentimes that means something that can be measured from a materialistic perspective.
Don’t get me wrong; gift-giving is a good thing. But when it causes people to stress out about Christmas lists and finding the perfect present to give, then something has gone awry. Focus becomes too much on giving a present to others. We pressure ourselves and each other with ill-advised expectations. We work extra hours or we enter into debt just to meet the expectations. If we are not able, we feel a sense of guilt and fear that we will be perceived as uncaring or unloving, like Ebenezer Scrooge. We become overly concerned about how we will be seen by others. Our sinfulness has a way of corrupting even the good things in life. That is what creates senseless stress.
Followers of Christ would do well to break free from this consumerist form of gift-giving and find a better way. We need to redirect our efforts simply to celebrating and worshipping the One who is present with and for others. Christ is the reason why there is Christmas. And he is Immanuel, “God with us,” who is also for us. “The good news is that in the face of Jesus Christ we see the very face of God, the One who has decided to be with us and for us in spite of our sin” (Kevin VanHoozer). Then we can also learn to be present with and for others. Understood correctly, it removes the stress that we place upon ourselves.
—Keith Jainga