Platypus Thoughts

Back in the day (you remember – way before America was great?), Christmas was a sacred time commemorating the gift of Jesus’ birth – a gift from God to redeem mankind (presumably because the flood didn’t serve to hold our attention). Jesus was the gift. Well, Jesus and the stinky stuff the wise men offered in addition to the gold, which was probably the only gift that was truly helpful. 

What on earth was a poor old man and his child bride supposed to do with frankincense and myrrh? Mary was too young to need anti-aging products, tho perhaps the perfume properties alleviated the smell of the animals, and the calming properties may have been helpful to Joseph, seeing how he was stranded in some dirty barn with no heat and a wailing baby with no diapers.

Anyway, here we are two and a quarter centuries later looking at blow up Grinches and Yetis and Santas on front lawns of houses, desperately buying cheap overpriced gifts for people who need nothing, and pretending to be enjoying the season while ignoring a mad man bent on destroying our country. We’re not thinking at all of what would be an appropriate way to show our appreciation for the gift of a savior from God. 

Christians have systematically and self-righteously incorporated bits and pieces of non-Christian traditions and sacred beliefs into Christian celebrations as they have brutally and callously wiped non-Christian cultures completely out. So now we’ve got Santa and reindeer and legit ways to bribe our children to behave. 

I could continue this rant and even go on to include the sacred baby chicks and bunnies that must have gathered at the base of Christ’s cross at Easter time along with colored eggs, but I will instead move on to the impetus of this writing: How can we more meaningfully celebrate Christmas – and other Christian holidays? 

By focusing on the teachings of Jesus. He did not claim to be born of a virgin impregnated by an angel (although I think Joseph was an angel to stand by her). It’s a nice story that makes for beautiful hymns that we love to hear and sing at this time of year. But that’s not a lesson Jesus taught us. 

The teachings of Jesus have no holiday associated with them, but really should. Neither Jesus’ birth nor his death – holidays we do celebrate – are as important as what Jesus taught in the few years of his life: To love your God. To love your neighbor as you love yourself. To be a good person. To forgive others. To help the needy, the poor, and the outcast. To love your enemies. To be humble. 

Jesus did not ask to be worshipped. He did not ask us to love him. He implored us to be like him. To be an example to the world – as he was – of what a “Christian” life should be. With that in mind, how can we celebrate the season in a way that Jesus would have approved of? I have some ideas. 

Why don’t we each give the money we would spend on gifts for each other to a charity or cause that is meaningful to us and furthers the teachings of Jesus? Instead of buying gifts for each other, let’s give of ourselves to each other. Let’s spend time together talking, walking, playing games, cooking for each other and eating together, sharing the reasons why our charity or cause is important to us and how it embodies the teachings of Jesus? 

We have the means to buy ourselves everything we need or want. And we do, all year long. Which is great, but makes buying something special for each other an often stressful challenge. What is left after the wrapping paper is cleared away? The time we spend together, the memories we create, the warmth of being together as a family and better understanding what is important to each of us. The joy of discovering new flavors and ideas and ways of being in the world.