Christmas: Season of Giving or God?
At this time of year, malls are adorned with bright parols and festive decorations, overflowing with the sounds of bustling shoppers as Jose Mari Chan’s “Christmas in our Hearts” plays in the background. The iconic double-digit sales fill online shopping carts, fueling the Christmas shopping frenzy. Malls have even adjusted their schedules to accommodate the surge in shoppers and ease the Christmas season traffic, opening at 11 a.m. instead of 10 a.m.
This is only a glimpse into the Philippines’ longest-running Christmas festivity, running from September until the new year. However, despite Filipinos being known for their unwavering Christian faith, the excitement of Christmas day often overshadows the true reason we celebrate Christmas. More and more, Christmas has become focused on gift-giving rather than the birth of Christ. Nowadays, it has been overlooked by the gift giving and Secret Santas, Christmas movie specials, and the superficial portrayals of the holiday.
Christmas has transformed into a consumer-driven holiday, leading many to forget its religious significance. In the Philippines, this shift is particularly evident during the onset of Christmas preparations during the “-ber” months. Aggressive marketing campaigns touting early bird sales, limited-edition products, and extravagant store displays fuel consumerism, drawing attention away from the spiritual aspects of the season. Social pressures to participate in these activities steer the focus toward material possessions and social gatherings.
Historically, Christmas celebrations can be traced back to various cultural influences. Early Christian observances borrowed elements from pagan winter solstice festivals, such as Saturnalia, which involved gift-giving, feasting, and merrymaking. By the 19th century, commercialization further shaped the holiday, associating it with gift-giving, festive decorations, and family gatherings. In today’s context, modern media, through films, advertisements, and social media, portrays Christmas as a time of indulgence, encouraging materialism and setting unrealistic expectations. While these portrayals emphasize joy and generosity, they often neglect the reason for the season: the birth of Jesus Christ.
Christmas is meant to celebrate God’s ultimate gift to humanity—His Son, Jesus Christ, who was born to save us from our sins. This sacred day marks the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior, offering humanity the gift of salvation. However, the spiritual significance of Christmas is increasingly overshadowed by consumerism and busyness. Traditional practices that center on Christ, such as attending church services, engaging in devotionals, and reflecting on the year, have often been replaced by modern lifestyles that prioritize leisure activities like traveling abroad or shopping for oneself and others. This shift is particularly evident in the Philippines, where holiday bonuses frequently fuel spending sprees on gifts and indulgences rather than cultivating a spirit of gratitude and worship.
In situations like these, it is important to remember that celebrating Christmas with joy and generosity isn’t inherently wrong. Festive activities, gift-giving, and family gatherings can be meaningful expressions of love and gratitude. However, these practices should not replace the true essence of Christmas but complement it. Incorporating Christ into our celebrations means aligning our actions with His teachings. Doing simple tasks such as volunteering for charitable causes or engaging in acts of kindness mirrors Christ’s compassion and service, allowing us to become instruments of His will. When we serve others, we embody the transformative power of His love in our lives, demonstrating how Christmas should not just be about receiving gifts but about learning to become gifts to others.
Christmas, at its core, is a celebration of God’s love for humanity. While modern traditions have their place, they should never obscure the reason we celebrate. Instead of solely focusing on receiving or giving material gifts, let us remember the unparalleled gift God gave us—His Son. And as the season unfolds, let us realign our priorities. Attending worship services, participating in outreach programs, or starting an Advent Bible reading plan are all meaningful activities we can do this Christmas to express our love for God and celebrate His presence in our lives throughout the year. By doing so, we honor the true spirit of the holiday and inspire others to see beyond what Christmas is painted to be.
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/inspire-me/why-do-we-give-gifts-at-christmas/
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/10/17/2393078/malls-adjust-opening-hours-ease-holiday-traffic
