Christmas Cheer

Last evening our family went to a neighboring church to experience their Christmas program. Our experience was veritable sensory overload. As we entered the lobby we were greeted at the door by two older gentlemen that were fairly bursting with Christmas joy. Inside the lobby smooth jazzy notes exuded from a couple guitars, a muted piano, a saxophone and drums. Off to the sides were tables spread with wassail and butter cookies. The actual program was replete with choir, orchestra, soloists, ballet pieces, drum corps from a nearby marching band, theatre and more.
Our eyeballs were entertained by fake fog, colorful costumes and carefully choreographed dance and gymnastic moves. The ears were tickled by the titter and crescendo of the orchestra, the ‘feel’ of the drums and the harmony of voices singing period and contemporary Christmas music and carols. Not to be outdone by the sensory input, the emotions were keenly involved by virtue of the story – Jesus Christ answers the inherent cynicism of the season, the endless running after gifts because He is The gift, the Ultimate gift.
As the noise died down and the mind began to be involved as one of the faculty members again, I tried to process what I had just witnessed. I am torn, torn between the sensational emotions of the experience and the lack of simple worship.
Now, as you read this, am I just a snotty, better-than-thou do-gooder, only interested in tearing something apart just because it maybe doesn’t meet my stringent view of how things ought to be done in all of Christendom? How can we that are fairly critical of each and every thing that comes into view be even-handed in our criticisms? It only concretes the dim view that some of our peers hold of us when we go off about how this isn’t right about that and that isn’t right about this. Have I ascended into spiritual and religious haughtiness, intolerant of everyone who doesn’t see things just the way I do? Am I a pharisaical snob interested only in the sure, pure exegesis of the Word of God to the exclusion of the sinner, the one who needs it most?
Shall we continue, from the relative safety of our desktops, to cast doubt on every attempt at worship by our fellow followers? Is this indeed the worship that we ourselves bring to God, a legal, tight-lipped, furrowed-brow, assessment of all the inconsistencies of everyone around us? Brethren, if so, we shall be busy.
However, please start at home.

Merry Christmas season –
From: A sinnical, yet saved Christian…