Put Some Commercialism Back into Christmas

by Nick Popadich

Today there seems to be a push to embrace what some people call the true "Christmas spirit." Reruns of Jim Carrey in the Grinch show us that presents aren't as important as a community that cares. Holiday classics like A Miracle on 34th Street remind us that faith and love can make our lives miraculous. Catholics wear buttons that say, "Jesus is the reason for the season" or "Keep Christ in Christmas".

But is commercialism really all that bad? If you're feeling guilty about holiday shopping, read on because you might just be saving your soul while you're saving some money.

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks . . .

Here's a little holiday pop quiz for you (and I've provided the answers for you -- consider it a gift):

Question: When did advent start his year?
Answer: November 30th.

Questions: When did holiday shopping officially kick off?
Answer: November 28th ("Black Friday", the day after Thanksgiving).

Therefore the commercial season this year was only 2 days longer than the Advent season. Many years, there are actually 9 more days of preparation, thought, struggle, and commitment to buy all the Christmas gifts that you need. But regardless, the commercial season is always longer than the Advent season. The final question is how is all this buying good for us?

Well, I don't want you to fret over the answer for too long because I'm sure you have more Christmas presents to wrap and/or buy! So, without further ado, here is your Catholic Commercialism Catechism.

Dressed in holiday style, in the air there's a feeling of Christmas . . .

Let's face it, people like to party. Whether you are pagan or Christian, celebrating the good times is what life is all about. While Easter really is our most joyous holiday, I'm willing to bet that you and I -- and our parishes -- spend more money on Christmas decorations than any other time of year.

And it's good to spend that money! By decorating our houses, businesses, and churches, we are saying that this truly is a special time.

In the darkness of winter, there comes a great light. A most powerful God and creator becomes a fragile baby, born out in a cold manger. This is a season when we should look at how God works wonders in our world.

The lights and decorations can remind us that God is with us. And that each of our days is truly meant to be a gift.

Children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile . . .

The Christmas season gets people out of their houses. When I Christmas shop, I run into people that I haven't seen for months, if not years. I often wonder why I don't take the time to call them or invite them over. Even in the middle of the Christmas rush, this is the season for catching up with old friends and making a new commitment to stay in touch.

Many people out shopping may be in a foreign habitat -- strangers in a strange land. This may be the only time of year that a man steps into a mall or department store. That in itself may be a small sign of Christ's love and commitment to his people. (In some cases, it may even be a miracle that deserves recognition from the church!)

Love of family is truly tested by the act of Christmas shopping. Finding a parking spot... going to store after store in search of the perfect gift... then standing in line to pay dearly for it. Sure, holding hands and singing in the heart of Whoville may bring a tear to the eye, but I think that getting out there in the heart of a crazed crowd for the sake of your loved ones is truly touching. (And a little bit more difficult.)

Indeed, Christmas shopping can truly test our Catholic virtues. There are few other times during the year when our patience is often out-of-stock.

I know Jesus tipped over the booths of the moneychangers in the temples, but I think he would truly be concerned about how we treat our local merchants. Chatting with the clerk who has rung up her 500th roll of wrapping paper that day should perhaps be considered a work of mercy. Amid the chaos, they will know we are Christians by the way we treat clerks... or fellow shoppers who just snatched up the last Star Wars toy.

Price check!

But above all the bustle you hear . . .

It often makes us feel good when we separate ourselves from our "shameful" consumer-driven society. Christmas should be about Christ our savior coming into the world to save us, we say.

And it is.

But the commercial flair of the season can serve as a constant reminder to us that this is a special time of the year. And the rush for gifts reminds us that we truly are here to serve others.

We, as Catholics, are called to get out in the world and change it for the better -- every day -- not just during the Christmas rush. And hopefully, Christmas shopping may remind us that we aren't Catholics in a void. We are Catholics of the world and in the world. If, after we have finished our shopping, the people we encountered can still say, "Emmanuel --Christ is with us," then we know that we will have done the holiday justice. And we can honestly say there we found a constructive way to put some commercialism back into Christmas!

Life Applications:

What do I do to ensure that I have the right attitude at Christmas time?
How might I better appreciate the Christmas season?
How do I help people see that "God is with us?"

Copyright 2001-2008 by Nick Popadich
All rights reserved.