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December 20, 2005
Christmas v. Consumerism
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/column/index.php?ntid=65630&ntpid=4
At first I though this journalist was joking about the joy of Americans not being a smile or a act of kindness, but getting a $4000 Plasma TV. The more I read it, however, I don't think he was.
He seems to be criticizing the Pope for saying people need to realize that Christmas isn't about that $4000 Plasma TV, that true joy is not found there. True joy is found in acts of kindness, in being with friends and family, in going to Church, in doing the seemingly meaningless things for people. It are those things which will live in the memories of people, even beyond when that Plasma TV breaks and is thrown away. Joy can never be found in material things, because people always want new or better things. You do not fill fulfilled when you get a TV compared to when you do something nice for someone. This is the point I believe the Holy Father is getting at. Yes, getting gifts is nice, yes they bring happiness, but is that really Christmas is ALL about? Not only do I not think so, but I know not. I am not against giving gifts, but it must be taken in the proper perspective.
Why do we even give gifts on Christmas? Yes, I know the story of Saint Nicholas, yes I know the store of the Magi (who all were overjoyed to be able to give gifts, this act of kindness filled them with a lot of happiness), but they got the idea from someone else first. On Christmas day, God the Father gave a gift to this world, Jesus Christ. It was the ultimate gift anyone can receive. Christ came to make satisfaction for our sins, to make us adopted sons and daughters of God, to show us how we should live our lives, and to show us how to truly love (not in some weird meaning of the word) one another and God.
I can assure you that full joy will NEVER come on Christmas Day if it is only about receiving gifts. There will always be something left out, or something somebody could have done better. So long as you keep yourself focused on finite things of this world, you will never be satisfied. Only in the infinite God can we find satisfaction, and in looking for him, you will help serve one another. Only in this way can we be on the true path to joy, there is no other way.
Posted by cr3do1 at December 20, 2005 01:03 PM
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