Peter – IMO, the modern winter solstice celebration has long since ceased to be a Christian holiday. It has become the Carnival of the Capitalists. Any semblance to the original Christian idea of Advent reflection and recognition of God’s gift is merely vestigial. This is demonstrated not only by the shopping, but also by the so-called Christmas music we have already been hearing for over two weeks such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas, and Frosty the Snowman.

Maybe the answer consists not only of doing away with gift-buying, but going one step further by bringing back the historical Advent. Advent was a season of fasting and penitence similar to Lent. But whereas Lent is a reflection of one’s personal guilt and sin, Advent was more a reflection on systemic evil and a prayer for justice in the world. Scriptural readings during Advent focus on the Old Testament prophets, with their attacks on the self-serving leaders of the nation, the tyranny of the great powers, the rebellion of the people against right living, and a longing for delivery from all these things. But we won’t hear this message if our days are spent “rockin’ around the Christmas tree”.

hmmm….. despite being one who considers herself not tied to a specific doctrine and often cringes at the expectation that one set of terminology is going to reach 6 billion people I still found the video inspiring and inclusive. However, having worked with close to 50,000 people in a somewhat character revealing occupation there is a large portion of the population that have psychological needs met by the month of Dec. Not to say they couldn’t evolve beyond that and feel the deep satisfaction of having fixed poor drinking water for the world or another of the worlds many needs. But at a basic level their emotional needs are already not being met (many who would consider themselves christians and have a “relationship” to Christ). The holiday experience of people giving and acknowledging others through the month of Dec offers them something. If the song frosty the snowman or Dreaming of a white christmas, warms someone’s heart why would I want to take that from them. That being said, I still am uncomfortable with blind consumerism and find it a band aid for empty overindulgent hearts who fear taking the time to look within. But in a culture that bombards people with media that says you are not enough unless you have x,y, or z hits hard on those susceptible.
Personally, I continue to stick with “be the change you wish to see in the world”. So I write Christmas letters to loved ones that go along with gifts that they find meaningful or gather value out of. And I give all year long to organizations that inspire me not just in Dec when Santa is coming to town. I also ask friends, family, and clients tough questions in a gentle loving, nonjudgmental way that invite them to think and reflect more deeply about themselves and their impact on others and on the world.
I guess Bob, I would challenge your thought that it is all or nothing. I think folks are capable of “rockin” around the Christmas tree and offering themselves up for good. Maybe they just need a present day example from a friend they trust to see how it is possible.

Heather Rose – I’m not sure we are in disagreement about anything except possibly timing. Advent is followed by Christmas, and a time of personal reflection during Advent may result in a different response to the needs of others at Christmas. The things you are doing are gifts to others that have meaning, and I thank you for it.