Non-Christmas: Traditions and Activities that pull
focus away from Jesus Christ
In other words, we recommend NOT to do these.
See
the Traditions/Activities page for
those that focus on Christ.
1) Putting up decorations that have nothing to do with Jesus. See our Decorations
page.
2) Buying postage stamps that have to do with secular portrayal of Christmas.
Like Santa Claus, reindeer, etc.
3) Reading stories that have absolutely nothing to do with Jesus, like Grinch,
etc. See
our
Books
page.
4) Parties/gatherings with drunkenness and/or gluttony.
5) Caroling or playing Christmas songs that have nothing to do with Jesus. It's
not that the song is necessarily wrong. It's that the overall impact of having
primarily secular songs is to detract from Jesus. See our
Songs
page
6) Sending out Christmas cards or year end
newsletters that do not focus on Christ. See the Traditions/Activities
page for more on cards.
7) Teaching children that Santa Claus has godlike abilities and will bring them
gifts. Allowing or even encouraging children to make lists of things they want
from Santa Claus. Taking children to sit on Santa's lap at the mall. Read more on our
Gifts
page, and more on Santa on the Focus on
Christ page.
8) Celebrating Christmas by going to movies, which are highly promoted in the
Christmas season, and which have nothing to do with Christ, and often glorify
sinful lifestyles.
9) Acting like family and family get-togethers are the most important thing in
Christmas. They are not bad, but can become a replacement for honoring Christ. Of
course we know that the family is God-given and extremely important. And for
some families this could be the only time they get together all year. So in that
since the emphasis on family at Christmas has some positive impact. But this
focus can take on a negative character when you make family be the central
meaning of Christmas. The meaning of Christmas cannot be found in family
reunions focused on eating and giving gifts to the kids, grandkids, nieces,
nephews, etc.
10) Talking primarily about gifts during the Christmas season. Then having
a rip-the-paper-off, "I want more"-inducing, gift-opening extravaganza
on Christmas morning where Christ is not glorified. Read more on our
Gifts
page.
11) Not looking outside your own world of family and closest friends. See our
Spreading
the News
page.
12) Being sucked into making man/woman love into a central theme of
Christmas. Like mistletoe,
diamonds, “Let It Snow,” because we’re snuggling (or doing what a man and
a woman do) by the fire, "Blue Christmas Without You," etc.
13) Telling people "Happy Holidays," because you don't want to offend
people with the name "Christ". Even the phrase
"Merry Christmas" has become so overused that it seems to have little
impact. If you have come up with a good Christmas
greeting and used it for a few years, and found that it turns people's minds to
Christ, but does not seem stilted and contrived, let us know on the
Comments/Feedback
page.
We would like to improve this page. Your input would be helpful. Please give us
Comments/Feedback.
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