I
just got Jeffery Meyers’ commentary on Ecclesiastes in the mail and found it interesting that he introduces the reader to this book with observations from the Christmas
Season:
Families are gathering
for annual feasts. Dazzling decorations have been strewn over buildings, homes,
and even doghouses. Bright lights, evergreen boughs, multi-colored bulbous
ornaments, and glittering silver strands of garland garnish windows and
doorways all up and down the street. It would seem from all outward
appearances, that everything is right in the world, that peace and joy reign
supreme.
But as everyone knows, colorful Christmas decorations often
mask dark depression for many people. Even though the feast of Christmas ought
to be a time when even those who have much to be troubled about experience a
ray of divine joy and happiness around the table with relatives and friends,
oftentimes the season itself exacerbates people’s problems. How can this be?
The Christmas holiday season has been increasingly cut loose
from its foundation in the Bible and Christian tradition. Modern Christmas
seasons provide us with little more than sentimental, syrupy niceness and nice
thoughts about a mistily-glowing baby Jesus. All we are left with is the
commoditization of vague religious sentimentalism. There is no spiritual power
in this. What’s worse, because of this the Christian faith seems, to many in
our culture, little more than an attempt to stir up comforting religious
feelings to mask one’s real troubles with the world. But this is so far removed
from the Bible and genuine Christian tradition that it has to be considered
another religion, one that plays make-believe with the dirty realities of this
life.
This
is a deep application of how the significance of what Christmas means, and
needs to mean, can be lost.
As
I read this I immediately felt—Yes, Jesus has come and all is well! Of course
that is easy for me to say. I am happily married; my wife and I have five great
children. I have a good job. We have food, clothing, shelter, and friends.
But
I wasn’t thinking of myself when I was overcome with this joy and gladness. I was
thinking of those who I know, and know of, who are alone or sick or poor. I was,
pardon me, speaking for them, smiling for them.
I
was happy for them. I am happy for us all.
Isn’t
that what the coming of Jesus is suppose to accomplish? After all, we don't live 'under the sun' but in the glow of that star that was shining over Bethlehem.
