It’s that time of year when many Christians complain about not being able to say “Merry Christmas”. In order to soothe their angst and, sometimes, overt anger over the perceived snub to the birth of Jesus to Mary and Joseph, many spend vast amounts of money to visually exhibit their faith.

Inflatable Santas and sleds with reindeer will decorate their yards, flanked by snowmen, ginger bread men and huge snowflakes. Elves, oversized candy canes and faux wrapped packages often complete the mix of daytime decoration. 

At night, the landscape is dramatically changed by twinkling lights outlining homes with trees uplighted in festive red and green. The really true believers go all out and will have a display featuring Santa Claus, his sled and reindeer on the peak of the roof simulating  them delivering gifts to the faithful residing in the home. 

Displays of Christian’s love of their Lord and Savior don’t end with expensive inflatable and animated yard ornaments. It’s time to make merry with excessive eating, drinking and budget busting. What says “Love of Jesus” more than a huge dead tree in your living room covered in decorations, lights and strips of glittery mylar?  Expensive wrapped gifts surround the dead tree with everything for everyone.

As wonderful as the gifts surrounding the former tree may be, it still isn’t enough for the TRUE Believers. Oversized faux stockings with “Mom” and “Dad” and all the children’s names emblazoned with sequins are hung with care by the fireplace mantle, or under the wall mounted 60” LCD 1080p TV. These are loaded with physically smaller gifts called “Stocking Stuffers” in honor of the Almighty. 

Yes, it’s the time of year when True Christians exhibit their Love of God by maxing out their credit cards and propping up China’s economy. While you may think that Christmas is all about consumerism, gifts, lights, food and alcohol, another of the time honored Christian traditions takes place as well. Every good Christian household checks their list of friends and cross references the Christmas Cards that they received last year versus the Cards sent. A general indicator of your Christianity is how many cards you mail to people that you otherwise have no contact with during the year. The “sent” versus “received” factor is calculated with those non-responsive “friends” being stricken from the LIST following a predetermined number of yearly Hallmark-less violations. 

No, the Christmas spiritual activities don’t end there. There is Christmas Caroling, where like minded people, ironically almost never named Carol, get together and go from door to door singing seasonal praises to the Lord God. Classic songs of worship like Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Have a Holly Jolly Christmas and one of the all time favorites, Santa Claus is Coming to Town. 

Perhaps Christmas has become a commercial holiday, celebrating greed and consumerism more than the birth of Jesus Christ, the supposed “Reason for the Season” because it’s unclear when he was actually born. Scholars generally agree that he was born around 6-4 B.C. The “B.C.” means “Before Christ” which is just an ironic example of the confusion. However, since it’s generally acknowledged that he was born in Bethlehem, that would make him a Palestinian which might not be a very popular concept in today’s America.

It’s far safer to stick to the concepts that we know and fully understand, like over indulging, over spending, Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman. Happy Frosty Everyone!