© 2020 Kebba Buckley Button, MS, OM. World Rights Reserved.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Today, I’m sharing something very personal. Although I am a Christian and an ordained minister, I’m sharing my seasonal little dirty secret today: commercial Christmas makes me sick. Commercial expressions of “Christmas” have gone wildly far afield from the celebration of the birth of Christ.
Don’t get me wrong. I love sacred Christmas. I love to think that (John 3:16) “God so loved the World that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” I love that we annually remember and celebrate the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, as a little baby.
When people ask me what exciting things we are doing for Christmas, I say, “oh, we’re more Silent Night than Deck the Halls”. I like to go to a Christmas Eve church service with sacred songs like “Oh Come All Ye Faithful”. Later, I like to take a walk at night, gazing at the stars above, and thinking of the shepherds, the Holy Family, the Magi, and how the original Christmas must have been, without telephones or news stations. I like to rest in deep gratitude for the arrival of the Messiah.
So fast forward over 2000 years from that birth, and humans have turned Christmas into a buying-spree opportunity with many electric lights, many Santa images, and even fireworks. Yes, even the Little Town of Bethlehem, in Israel, has fireworks for Christmas! And humans have deified Santa Claus. The seasonal song tells it all: “He knows if you’ve been sleeping! He knows if you’re awake! He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness’ sake!” Wait, isn’t that God? Isn’t God the original omniscient being? So how did Santa become a God?
A close look at the cheery Christmas living room image above shows how important Santa has become in this actually sacred time. There are a number of Santa ornaments and only 2 stars (representing the star the Magi followed?) on the tree. Look around at “Christmas” decorations anywhere, and you will see Snoopy and characters from Disney movies, plus the mandatory Santa and often his sleigh.
So no wonder this season is a nonparticipation opportunity for those who call themselves “atheists”. What a healthy reaction to Santa worship! A popular TV show, Seinfeld, a number of years ago, offered our culture an alternative: “Festivus, for the Rest of Us”. Celebrated on December 23 (or why not any other seasonal date?), these elements would be part of the celebration: get a Festivus pole, have a Festivus dinner involving meatloaf, air your grievances, join in Feats of Strength, and call all slightly non-routine events “Festivus miracles”.
So will you forgive me for speaking my truth in this column? Will you choose the way you enjoy your Holidays, however you celebrate them, or don’t? Whatever your beliefs and plans, may your days be merry and bright!
And that’s Healthy Happy Loving Lifesm! Happy Holidays!
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Kebba Buckley Button is a stress solutions expert, holistic guide, and award-winning author who celebrates life. She has a longtime energy healing practice and is an ordained minister. Among her books are: Discover The Secret Energized You (http://tinyurl.com/b44v3br), Inspirations for Peace Within: Quotes and Images to Uplift and Inspire, and Sacred Meditation: Embracing the Divine. The books are available on Amazon and through Kebba’s office. To email us, kebba@kebba.com .

Books by Kebba Buckley Button