In The Way

Truth is something we humans are only beginning to understand. With the influx of readily available information, we’re finding more and more truth. On the flip side, more information means more incomplete truths (lies) as well. I’ve lived a life of incomplete truths but, by the grace of our Father, I’m finding my way toward truth. I’m not completely there yet; don’t know if any of us will reach that destination using these crude human brains of ours.

Christmas is quickly becoming a strange creature in the search for truth. Most of us are aware of the pagan origins of Christmas but few actually think it matters at all. For sure, most Christian folks feel that, as long as we give glory to God, we can celebrate any holiday. This creeps me out. Our God is a God of truth. He is Master and Creator of everything. Why would we assume we’re showing Him glory with a pagan holiday and slapping a “Christ” title to it? Do we really want to upset our Father?

It’s the thought that counts

We like to say, “It’s the thought that counts” and go about worshiping in whatever manner we like. Let’s dig a little bit deeper into that phrase. What exactly is the “thought” we are so cavalier about? And where is that thought directed? If we truly gave our worship thought, we would do the thinking involved. It sounds obvious to say, but unfortunately we don’t go about it that way.

When we put thought into a gift, there’s a selfless effort involved. We think about who the person is, what they like, and, more importantly, what they don’t like. If you know your wife can’t stand football, would you get her two tickets to the Super Bowl? Absolutely not! “But I like football,” you say, “I’d love two tickets to the Super Bowl!” And therein lies our folly. The simple fact that one went out and made some sort of effort to get a gift does not consitute thought. In fact, it may be seen as thoughtless.

The gift that keeps on giving

The Christmas shopping season is a large part of the retail industry. Holiday spending is a huge factor in the economy. (Remember George W. Bush telling us all to spend money after 9-11?) A sad reality is that even hard core Christmas celebrating Christians shift the focus of gifts from God to other people. God gets “glory” because it’s free, all others get the goods. Sure, we like to justify this by saying things like, “Well, God doesn’t need my money” or “It’s better to give than to receive.” Looks like we’ve got more digging to do.

I agree that it is better to give than to receive. But we can’t give what we haven’t received in the first place. God gives us everything and while He personally doesn’t need money, His workers out in the field do. Likewise, anything we “give” is what He has given us. Am I advocating not giving gifts to people. Far from it! Give freely and generously. Just don’t forget our Father whom we should give back to. Only then will He fill our cups again and we can continue to give, for it’s His gift that keeps on giving through us, not by any means of our own.

Got Truth?

So what is this “truth” regarding Christmas? The way I see it, my job (if it is a job) is not to be an encyclopedia to people who want an easy track to knowledge. Go look it up. Ask God for insight then start searching. The truth is there for anyone who searches with the right heart and mindset.

I’d give one bit of advice, take it or leave it: look in the Bible. External sources are full of opinions and skewed views. God placed the truth in his Word. When you find it, come back to my comic. There’s a gag in there for sure. And that’s the truth.