As we approach the festive period I was reminded of a comment from a previous year. A comment that was part of a lively conversation between those who go to church and call themselves Christian.

“Anybody who works in church hates Christmas.”

Forget “context” for a minute.  Forget “levity” for a moment . Forget “It wasn’t said seriously, Paul.”  And please don’t do the old “Lighten up, Paul … sheesh!”

“Anybody who works in church hates Christmas.”

The secular world gets a ton for grief from the church world for its lack of appreciation of “why Christmas”.  And each year the church world tells the secular world “It is about love, it is celebrating the birth of God as man, God as man who then went to The Cross to die for your sins!  YOUR sins!!  Sheesh!  Where’s the respect – where’s the gratitude!”

“Anybody who works in church hates Christmas.”

And I know those who work in church will rush to defend that statement.  It is a broad brush statement.  Tarring all with the same accusation.  I know that.  But I also know this …

The church does view Christmas as a great shop window for its wares.  As an opportunity to connect with those who usually steer clear of church.   As the chance to connect with those who hurt more at Christmas.  Those who are alone more at Christmas.  And there is a tradition in finding the right “spiritual best-seller” – just as there is for shops to find the right “retail best-seller”.

And all that tradition and selling comes at a cost: “Anybody who works in church hates Christmas.”

The bible says many things (which can be a real bummer):

Matthew 21:12
And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the chairs of those who were selling doves.

Mark 11:15
Then they went into Jerusalem. And entering the temple, he began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple; and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those who were selling pigeons,

John 2:14
In the temple he found people selling cattle and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.

John 2:15
So he made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple, including the sheep and the cattle. He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.

It’s only 67 days to Christmas and the planning and implementation and marketing for this year’s “spiritual best-seller” is already well in hand!  Which might be why …

“Anybody who works in church hates Christmas.”

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