Why do we enjoy Christmas so much? Why is it the favorite holiday? Sure, we get to eat lots of sweet treats and give each other gifts, but we do that for other holidays as well. Now, obviously for Christians, we are celebrating the birth of Jesus, God becoming Man, which is an incredible reason to celebrate! But even non-Christians enjoy Christmas, why do they care if they don’t even believe in God?
Christmas reminds us what’s important
Christmas brings us together unlike any other event. It’s the season for remembering important things in life, like family and generosity. It’s when we choose to give on purpose, even in excess. We choose to honor and extend love toward the poor and needy.
We look around at Christmastime and think it’s the Christmas lights and cookies that give us warm fuzzies, but in reality, it’s what those items represent. They represent a holiday focused on Jesus’ birth, community and giving to others. This is the way God teaches us to live all the time, yet we are surprised when we feel so much joy for living like Jesus taught us to live. Jesus said “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” in Acts chapter 20, verse 35.
We are living closer at Christmastime to the way God intended us to live than any other time of the year.
Community Living
I have been living in close community now for over 12 years, from University to summer camp staff to Youth with a Mission (YWAM). There are days when I love it and days I despise it. Despite the difficult days, I wouldn’t trade this time for anything. God has used the people around me to grow, teach and transform me.
Why do people say that the university or college years are the best years? Partially because that’s where they experienced community living.
God uses others to grow us, all the time. It’s how He shows us He loves us, by displaying His love through others, His children. The problem is, we are too busy thinking others are the Enemy or the problem, which moves us toward isolation, when in reality, it’s probably us with the problem, not them. We despise people who do things differently than us and hold grudges for not doing things ‘our way’ or the ‘right way.’ We miss out on the blessing God wants to give us.
Western Isolation
The Western world is becoming more and more individualized and therefore isolated. I grew up in American suburbia where it was normal to come home from work and close your garage door and not say a word to your neighbors. Fortunately, I had wonderful parents and neighbors who reached out and became good friends with our neighbors, yet for much of the Western world, it’s not true.
The average Australian spends 37 hours per week watching TV and using the internet, * and we wonder why people are depressed and suicidal. Human connection over TV or Internet can never replace real-life relationships. We were created for community, for human interaction, yet society is pulling us in the opposite direction.
Learning from the 3rd world
Being a missionary, I’ve visited many cultures and countries. One thing I have found to be true is that happiness is often based on community and relationships rather than wealth and comfort. I have seen children and adults sleeping on floors, eating basic foods, possessing minimal clothes and toys, yet filled with joy and happiness.
Some of the joyous and best memories I have, have been in places poverty stricken and desolate. People in these nations have taught me what is truly important.
Christmas more often
So, if we love Christmastime so much, why contain it to a single holiday? Why not live a bit more like we do at Christmas all year round? Why not appreciate relationships and community rather than despise and pass judgement? Why not extend love and generosity to the poor and needy? Maybe we’ll find ourselves enjoying life a bit more all year round.
*Source: Roy Morgan Single Source, October 2003 to September 2016, average annual sample n = 53,001 Australians 14+.
Laurinda is a missionary at Youth with a Mission in Brisbane where she leads a discipleship program for young adults. On her day off you can find her hiking up a mountain or swinging in a hammock.
Laurinda Rapp’s previous articles may be viewed at
http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/laurinda-rapp.html
Laurinda is a missionary at Youth with a Mission in Brisbane where she leads a discipleship program for young adults. On her day off you can find her hiking up a mountain or swinging in a hammock.
Laurinda Rapp’s previous articles may be viewed at