I once attended a Christmas Eve service at which the young, newly ordained pastor had prepared an elaborate children's message with carefully wrapped packages in each of which was an object that represented some aspect of God's gift in Christ: one had a light bulb for "light", another a paper heart for "love", and so on. It went on too long, and the children were restless. But the pastor was determined that his first Christmas Eve service would teach about the true meaning of Christmas. When he finally concluded the message with a prayer, and the bored children were rising to return to the pews, one parent in the front row felt it was important to "rescue" the mood of the service. "Hey kids!" he bellowed, "I just got a message on my iPhone that Santa has left the North Pole and is headed our way!" Immediately, all the kids perked up with excitement. The new pastor tried hard not to let his frustration show - in an instant, all his efforts were undermined.

I see that incident as a parable. The biblical stories of the birth of Jesus have a beautiful and powerful message that needs no embellishment. God took on mortal flesh, became a vulnerable infant who was hailed by shepherds and hated by the king. His birth turned the world on its head, as Mary had sung before: "[God] has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty" (Luke 1:52-53). He was named Jesus "for he will save his people from their sins," the fulfillment of the prophecy of the coming of Emmanuel, "God is with us" (Matthew 1:21-23). It is a story of life conquering death, of love triumphing over evil.

But it is a difficult message to hear, because along with its word of grace and hope also comes judgment, and the need to change our ways. So, we push aside the Christmas imperative to share with the poor, to welcome the homeless and the refugee, to work for peace, and to shine light in the darkness.  In its place, we prefer flying reindeer, talking snowmen, and a gift-giving elf. We shower ourselves with expensive gifts while often neglecting to share with those with the greatest need.

I confess that I enjoy the fantasy and fun of our secular holiday celebrations as much as the next person. But they are ultimately unfulfilling - a fast food meal in a malnourished world. Of greater importance, not only at Christmas, but all-year long, are the thousands of unheralded celebrations that happen when refugee families find a safe home and a warm welcome, when children and adults who are victims of human trafficking are liberated, when a family that has suffered from lead poisoning finally has clean water to drink.  These are the real celebrations of Christ's birth - the birth of hope and freedom, of life and light in our world. (They are also, incidentally, missions that are being supported by your presbytery mission gifts.)

There is much to enjoy at Christmas: colorful lights and shining tinsel; stories of Santa Claus and Rudolph and Frosty and even Ebenezer Scrooge. But even the best of our celebrations - the blessings of family and holiday meals and joyful song can be distractions in their own way. God became incarnate in Jesus not to bless us with more of what we already have, but to change the world, beginning with our own values and actions. So, in addition to our usual holiday festivities, perhaps we might add to our gift list this year something for those who desperately need what Christ came to give: life, hope, justice, peace, and a restored creation.