Y Not I

Being Jewish, raised as a secular Jew and especially now as Messianic Jew, each year when Christmas comes around I take time to reflect on the Holiday and all that is around it. There is certainly much to reflect on. What exactly is Christmas?

Certainly, we all know it is about the birth of Jesus (Yeshua). Many also know that it is extremely unlikely that He was born on December 25 or even at this time of year. Some might know about the roots of the celebration and the different traditions (some pagan) from different cultures that have become a part of it. As well is the American cultural use of Santa Claus as a marketing tool that has become a primary part of the retail business cycle. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving and the traditional start of the Christmas season, is so named for it marks the time when retailers go into the black for the year.

I constantly think about this intermixing of secular traditions and a sacred event, and what it all means. Each year I come away with what I think is further understanding of the event and perhaps its meaning to many, including many believers. Here are my thoughts for this year. I hopes non of them offend any, as they are just how I see things and I do not mean to imply that there is something wrong with celebrating Christmas. It is just hard for me to fully comprehend, and I do think there are some excesses that some take, even very well intentioned thoughtful and spiritual people. Certainly we all have room for growth with G-d.

Of course this time, with Hanukkah also occurring makes Hanukkah more focused on in the Jewish community because many do not want their children to feel left out. In the funny, but R-rated movie, “Hebrew Hammer” it starts out with a scene of Hanukkah past where the main character is seen as a child going to the public school and being made fun of for being Jewish by the Gentile kids and then show him at his desk, opening up a plastic dreidel and then looking over at the Christian kids (some complete with I love Jesus sweaters on) opening up very nice and expensive gifts like bicycles, puppies and such. While I never felt that type of jealousy to Christmas, I know that many do feel like they are missing something and try to account for that with 8 days of present. Of course many Messianic believers (especially of mixed marriages) celebrate both days and do not see a conflict between believing in Yeshua and celebrating Hanukkah. Traditional Jews do not always agree with that, but the only place one can find Hanukkah in Scripture is with Yeshua celebrating it (John 10:22). It is fun to have a laugh over the two and here is a good example of such.

First thing I came upon this year is something I think is very positive for Messianic believers. So often it seems that many Christians do not understand many of the cultural things of Messianic Judaism. They look at odd traditions and practices and wonder why a follower of Yeshua would have these practices and traditions. After all, many are not part of Scripture and the ones that are, we all have freedom in Messiah to ignore. Well, I think it might be easier to explain using Christmas and the symbols and traditions therein to explain it a bit. Certainly Christmas has many traditions that are not from Scripture. Things like bringing a tree into the house and adorning it with lights and ornaments seems very foreign and has no basis in Scripture. If one can use that tradition what could be so wrong with my wearing a kippah? Also if, for the sake of argument, one has the freedom to reject Scriptural ceremonial commands, would not that freedom extend to a Messianic Jew to reject participating in Christmas? For that is another part of this mystery, many Christians do not understand why a believer would not celebrate Christmas. So, it seems maybe a bit easier to understand why I might not wish to celebrate Christmas and use my freedom in Messiah as a reason for doing so, as well as explain my use of traditions by showing that Christians themselves have many traditions that they chose to use as well. Let each use what works for them in the furtherance of their faith walk.

Next I pondered the event itself. I have heard it said that one reason most Protestant faiths do not have the crucifix is because Yeshua is no longer there, that He has conquered death once and for all. So, since he is no longer on that cross we do not need to put Him back up there is the line of reasoning. If so, would not the same be true for the baby in the manger. He has gone on to do much more than just being born. I do understand that the celebration of Christmas involves all that He has done, however it just seems a bit off to me, especially when there is an event at the time of His death and resurrection to celebrate that and that Holiday is much more muted in joy and celebration.

The next thing involves much of the secular side of the season. A big focus (and a challenge for Christians) is that of Santa Claus. First of all it seems like the marketing message of Santa Claus is totally contradictory to Scripture. With Santa, if you are good, you are rewarded, with Scripture your good works are nothing but dirty rags (Isaiah 64:6). Santa is watching your every move and knows when you are good or bad. That seems almost like a rival to a G-d that knows the number of hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30) and all the days of our lives (Psalm 139:15-16). I still see much more of the adversary in the marketing of Saint Nick that of anything related to G-d. It seems to be nothing more than use the flesh part of us, especially in children for whom the character is such a critical part. I personally wish that believers could exorcise Santa from their celebration, but to many it seems just like good fun.

Somewhat related to this is that maybe many enjoy Christmas so much for it empowers men to actually help G-d, instead of the other way around. The play put on at the Christian school my kids go to involves a kid (Leon, Noel backwards) trying to get a part in a Christmas play. He gets the understudy to the innkeeper and ends up going on when the originally actor ends up not able to make the curtain. Leon has only one line to repeat a few times, “no rooms!”, however after saying the line a few times, just before Joseph and Mary leave for the manager, his good heart offers up his own room as the innkeeper and he sings a song about it. It was a nice play and a nice thought, but it came to me after that the child was helping out the Messiah instead of the other way around. So maybe for many they like that. The baby Yeshua is cute and helpless, and we can prove our love by helping him. Not sure if that is part of it, but the play put that thought in my head, so it is something I am reflecting on this Christmas season.

There is one thing that I am not for when it comes to this season and that is the replacement of Merry Christmas with something more neutral like Happy Holidays or Season Greetings. I think the dominant culture in America is Christian and the traditions that are part of it are what the majority adhere to. Even if I do not, that is no reason for my minority view to be thrust upon everyone else, or for their greeting to be changed to not offend me. I am blessed to be able to worship in a way that is not the same as the majority and I am not offended to be wished a Merry Christmas at all. As a matter of fact I think it a honor and a symbol of the blessings we have hear in America.

There are many great things that I can appreciate about Christmas. I think it is wonderful when people show such love towards each other, especially when people get together to help out those less fortunate. That is a wonderful expression of love. I also think when families get together, often in pajamas sharing time together, that is a wonderful thing and a nice tradition. The decorations certainly look very nice as well. These are great things that those would celebrate can enjoy, and I wish nothing against that for those who do enjoy all these things. I do know that these things, while very nice, have nothing to do with salvation, one is not justified by celebrating Christmas anymore than one is justified by not eating pork. However, it is fine as part of one’s walk with G-d.

So, I wish a Merry Christmas to all who celebrate this Holiday, even if I do not fully comprehend it. May it be a wonderful time with friends and family and most importantly may it be a time to grow closer to G-d. Next year I wonder what G-d will teach me about this day that is so special to many.

B”H.