Thinkaloud | advent | theRubicon

Thinkaloud | advent

The actions of one can begin to change the world

I think we’re all aware that mere knowledge of evil does nothing to prevent its effects in our lives. If indeed that were the case then reading an appropriate book would be the quick and easy way for us to have personal spiritual victory. Convinced Christians know that commitment to Jesus Christ and the empowering of the Holy Spirit is the only way to win in the spiritual battle.

Our concern at the commercializing and the trivializing of Christmas will only increase our personal disquiet unless we know in our heart of hearts that there is a realistic answer to the problem.

For years concerned Christians have expressed their outrage that one of the central Christian festivals has been so successfully hijacked. Some go so far as to think that the only defence is to dismiss Christmas altogether, though they realize at the same time they will be “throwing out the baby with the bathwater.”

The simple yet very difficult solution is resolutely to put Christ at the centre of all that is associated with Christmas. This means that we will prayerfully consider gift purchases to ensure they will contribute to a simple Christian lifestyle and not perpetuate non-Christian values. Of course this will take extra time and possibly more money, but it is worth the expenditure of both. Also, in the midst of our frantic pace we will give time to those events that extend Christ’s Kingdom rather than simply going along with the mad rush.

Jesus promised us that the Holy Spirit would bring His values and words to our minds. And this promise is so valuable during the stressful days leading up to and surrounding Christmas. Deliberate prayer about Christmas priorities will lead us to true celebration.

Pious words cannot take the place of determined personal action. Let us seek to portray the essential Christ-centered meaning of this marvelous festival of celebration. This may be done by a refusal to purchase toys and games that glorify violence; by deliberate efforts to be kind and cheerful to harried sales personnel and when we use Christmas cards with a Christian message. And as we practice the gift of hospitality we are indeed embracing what makes for a Christian Christmas.

During this Advent season, leading to Christmas, let us remember that we are called by God to stand against the values of a godless world. How wonderful it is to know that one person, with God, can begin to change the world!

Writer: Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell Ryan is a former Editor in Chief in Canada and the UK. In retirement he is a copy editor of theRubicon and the author of theRubicon series called Resurrected Writers.