By now, you've opened a few gifts, sipped your Christmas coffee or cider and are likely planning your day of family, friends, fun and food. If so, you're among the 90 percent of Americans who observe Christmas in some way.
But will your day include the elements that make Christmas a day that rises above its designation as the retail epicenter on the calendar? Will you, your family and friends acknowledge the "Reason for the Season?"
A Pew Research Center survey of 1,503 adults conducted between Nov. 29 and Dec. 4 acknowledges a decline in the role of "religious" aspects of Christmas - specifically, the birth of the Christ child, the king of the Jews and messiah to those of the Christian faith.
The results show the culture of the season replacing the actual meaning of a Christmas rooted in faith and reflecting its moniker, with 55 percent noting their celebration as a religious day, compared to 59 percent in 2013.
The overwhelming focus on gifts and parties is born out of our materialistic culture and, in the selfie age of social media, the events and exchanges make for viral posts and visibility on Facebook and Instagram. And, by materialistic, understand it's also big business.
Robin SmithAccording to Statista.com, an online portal that aggregates data across industries and interests, the projected retail sales just during Christmas 2017 are $680.4 billion. For some retailers, the merchandise moved during the year-end holiday comprises up to 30 percent of total sales. Needless to say, those who make and sell things view the yuletide cheer as a key part of their business model and a true stimulus plan.
But, what about the meaning of the holiday? More accurately, what about this holy day, using the etymology of the word in its Old English origins, haligdæg?
The Christmas account found in the Gospel of St. Luke captures the truly miraculous birth of Jesus, featuring supernatural events and beings heralding the birth of a savior to a virgin teenage mother and the magnificence of the greatest gift from God to his creation - his son. Not only reported by the writings of the doctor-turned-disciple, but also by Linus Van Pelt, Lucy's brother of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" fame. To Charlie Brown's exasperated plea, "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?!" Linus speaks St. Luke:
"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
Yeah, Linus added that last proclamation, but whether from Linus or Luke, the account of Christmas is sadly displaced by the culture of our day. So, as ReligionNews.com observed with clever twists of phrases, there's more jingle and less Jesus and more mall than manger in 2017.
To you and yours, a merry Christmas and a prayer that you receive God's ultimate gift this holy day.
Robin Smith, a former chairwoman of the Tennessee Republican Party, owns Rivers Edge Alliance.