The Meaning of Christmas in a Changing World
A couple of years ago The New York Times ran an article asking the question, “Is Christmas a religious holiday?” The subheading to the story replied, “A growing number of Americans say No.” While many doubt that Christmas is embattled for its religious significance, a study conducted by the Pew Research Center suggests American attitudes toward the holiday live in a changing world.
The study, based on interviews with 1500 American adults, found that the vast majority still celebrate Christmas, but most say the religious elements of the holiday are emphasized less than in the past. The startling fact that creeps behind the statistic is that few of them care about the change.
The study, conducted in 2017, noted that 56% of Americans believe that the religious elements of Christmas are less emphasized now than in the past, but only 32% say they are bothered by the changes. Forty-six percent of those asked saw Christmas as a primarily a religious holiday. The same questions were asked of people in 2013 when 51% saw it as a religious celebration.
changes in attitudes
The changes in attitudes reflect how people celebrate the holiday, their feelings toward the church, and what they believe about Christ and the Christmas story. The survey asked what people believed about the four major portions of the Christmas story: angels announced the birth of Jesus; that the birth was a miraculous, virgin birth; that Jesus was born in a manger, and that wise men were guided by a star to meet Him.
In 2014 65% of Americans believed in all four concepts. Three years later the number was down to 57%. The implication of those statistics seem clear. If you don’t believe the story you aren’t going to care how the holiday is celebrated. Let’s make it even more personal: does the way you celebrate Christmas reflect what you believe about the Christ?
a Hallmark tradition
For years we have been told what the Christmas season is supposed to look like. Whether it be a Norman Rockwell painting, or non-stop Hallmark Christmas movies that have been playing since the end of October, the images are emblazoned on our minds. But how is Christmas supposed to be celebrated if our life hasn’t been written by a Hollywood script writer? If Jesus still is the “reason for the season,” where does He fit into the snow-covered picture? Is Christmas still have real meaning?
Over the next few weeks we are going to toy with the real meaning of Christmas. We will look at portions of the Christmas story for applications in today’s changing world. For most of us, the world has changed faster than we ever thought possible. Does the Bible still hold meaning? Can we still trust the story?
The Pew Research indicated that fewer people trust the story today than five years ago. But a major factor in the change is there are more non-Christians today in America than five years ago. It would make sense that fewer would believe the details. Many see religion as a collection of myths and traditions, rather than historical facts. While this article is not the vehicle for this particular discussion, volumes have been written attesting to the historical nature of the Bible and the accounts of the life of Jesus.
a powerful question
Even in our changing world, the account of Christmas begins with a powerful question, “How can this happen?” Have you ever looked at life and had the same query? Unexpected and unplanned difficulties occur in the daily drama of life. Jobs are eliminated. Finances tumble. Turmoil and unrest rule in the leadership. Unexpected tragedies occur with the people in our lives. Cancer is diagnosed. A loved one passes away. A spouse becomes unfaithful and leaves. How – and why – is this happening?
Two thousand years ago, in the land of Judea – today’s nation of Israel – a young woman named Mary asked the same question. Her life was about to change faster than the tides of the sea. She didn’t know what to make of it. It seems probable that she wondered why the God that she believed in wasn’t paying attention to her predicament.
The Scripture records: God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee 27 with a message for a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to Joseph from the family of King David. 28 The angel greeted Mary and said, “You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was confused by the angel’s words and wondered what they meant (Luke 1:26-29 CEV).
Life has a way of confusing us, doesn’t it? It really doesn’t matter if I am religious or non-religious, I look for meaning in the events of life and become confused. Add to that an extra-ordinary event, like the appearance of an angel, and confusion seems more like chaos.
a comforting answer
Then the angel told Mary, “Don’t be afraid! God is pleased with you, 31 and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. 33 He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end.”
34 Mary asked the angel, “How can this happen (Luke 1:30-34 CEV)?
The passage presents the Christmas message of comfort and joy in the midst of the changing circumstances of life – to Mary and to us. First, the Lord is with us. Mary had no reason to doubt that, but she had no reason to even think about it. When life is about to change, God is there. Second, God is working things together because you love Him. There is joy in knowing that God is involved, even when we don’t see Him or understand.
Verse 37 of Luke’s first chapter says it all, “Nothing is impossible for God!” In the midst of a changing world, of my changing life, the Christmas story still has meaning.
