Criticisms of Christmas

Well, it's almost Christmas which is VERY exciting. I have to admit that Christmas is not at all my favorite holiday. Easter wins that prize. Maybe it's because I despise cold weather, flu season, and the "holiday spirit". Despite my qualms with the time of year, Christmas is a great celebration of the birth of Jesus, so I do love that aspect. I have also decided that a lot of what I do not like about Christmas leads back to our culture's emphasis on selfishness. I think Christmas would be my all-time favorite holiday if we got back to the true origin and completely did away with the silly Santa mess. No, I don't believe Santa is evil, but I do have a big problem with a myth overtaking truth. I always laughed at my mom because she gets so annoyed at monopoly Santa Claus has on the market of "holiday" decorations, but I am beginning to understand why. It might sound extreme, but it actually brings the verse, "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen.(Romans 1:25)" to mind. I really can't see Jesus ever deferring the glory of His miraculous birth to a fictional character.
Anyway, enough of that rant. I think what really bothers me about Christmas is the total ignorance in our culture to the world around us. We are SUCH comfortable people; it's actually gross. I know I am a complainer, and I find myself complaining over the DUMBEST things. I take resources and blessings for granted daily. I get annoyed when someone takes "my" parking place at the apartment. PLEASE. Am I really that selfish? I really have been evaluating these things in my heart and am coming to the conclusion that 1. I am selfish 2.I need to give that up!
A year and a half ago, I had the spectacular privilege of going on a mission trip to Haiti. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere. The poverty was absolutely unbearable. The most ironic element to this trip is that while the people had next to nothing, their joy was overly abundant. The love and acceptance the Haitian people had for me and my teammates far outweighed ANY church fellowship or school organization I have ever engaged in. I am starting to understand that the more we let go of, the more we gain in Christ. For some, I do believe material blessings could be given to some, while others receive peace. I do believe America is greatly blessed but the more focus we place on material things, the less room there is for Christ. Andrew and I have a goal to have every room in our house filled with Scriptures on our painting and decor (which isn't hard now since we live in a one bedroom apartment). I actually hope that when we have a baby, we can cover the nursery walls in Scripture and prayers in our handwriting so that when we wake up at 3 AM for the hundredth night in a row, we don't lose sight of the miracles we are blessed with. I know that sounds cheesy and a little crazy, but why are we okay with putting up little post-its and notecards on our mirrors but are afraid to cover the walls? Is it because writing on the walls is too permanent and too extreme? Is it because we loathe the thought of being reminded that Jesus is really listening to our every conversation? I cannot brush away these questions in my own heart. Jesus won't let me. 
I have decided that I am okay with a little bit of God but the thought of Him everywhere at all times, knowing all things (even my motives and icky heart), keeping account of every careless word is just too extreme. I think if we were honest with ourselves, the church in general has become this way. We are so quick to be "good" Christians but never extreme enough to be great Christians. Paul-like and Daniel-like Christians are rare. We are cowards who use post-its to remember our favorite verses to inspire and encourage us, leaving out the ones that could actually fight our feelings of comfort. I think all these things have led to foolish Christians with "God boxes" strategically placed where we want them... like in our churches and in our houses. We dare not let God out of the box!! I mean, we might feel a little uncomfortable when we buy nicer clothes and shoes, when we're reminded that a lot of people don't actually have nice clothes and shoes... Or clothes and shoes of any kind. Again, these are all things I have observed in my own heart and in our culture as a whole. 
My point is not to be discouraging and critical. I just feel that now that I am being dealt with in these areas, I can't sit idly back. I've done enough of that in life. I want to be more extreme about my faith. I don't want to settle for mediocre and end up regretting my selfishness. I don't want to realize that every accomplishment in life was for me. I want Christmas to be a holiday that actually means GIVING. I want giving to be a lifestyle and not a seasonal occurrence. Giving something menial to gain an immeasurable life in Christ is my new goal. 

Here is part of a tent city in Haiti

Some of the boys from the orphanage we stayed in