Seasonal Apathy

During the holidays, we’re exposed to constant and repetitive commercials.  Maybe not because we're a captive audience (like the Super Bowl), but more because we’re captive to holiday spending.  I gave up the search for how much advertising might cost for our favorite holiday movies; It’s a Wonderful Life, Elf, Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, The Grinch, White Christmas and more.  But I’m sure that the marketing teams analyze average view rates and are charged accordingly.

This article began when I recently saw the Hershey's Christmas Kisses commercial.  It was surprising to me that it was still being aired.

As you’ll notice, this veteran sales-pitch was first promoted in 1989.  Next year it will be 30 years old!  That is called "staying power"!  Interesting note:  634 people ‘liked’ this video, 49 did not!  (And still counting apparently as the stats say we're up to 659/50).  Who doesn’t like a 30 second Christmas bell commercial?

Maybe people are simply tired and bored with something they’ve been viewing for 30 years.

I like Christmas music too.  But I'm usually averse to hearing much of it until maybe the week before Christmas.  I know that as the weeks go by, I tend to adopt a feeling of, "I'm over it".

Now, let's be honest. Those of us determined to celebrate a spiritual Christmas can also feel ‘tired’ and ‘bored’ from the monotony of, “I’ve heard it all before.”  However, unlike our disagreeable friends on YouTube, we would never admit this to anyone, ever.

How many times have we heard the Story of the Birth of Christ?  How many times have we been to church screenplays of this event? How many times have we seen Nativity scenes with the Manger and the Shepherds and the Magi?  How many times have we heard the story of Herod looking for the Child?

We're human. Repetition can lead us to become disengaged especially in today's world of instant, new, exciting and cutting edge.

We may or may not feel lackadaisical with respect to holiday commercials and music, but with this story, OUR story, apathy is unacceptable. Do any of us want to be distracted from the staying power of God Incarnate?  Would any of us choose to be disassociated from the wonder of this event?

That God, the Creator of all we know, would become one of us is truly unfathomable.  Because of our human tendency to take things for granted, it will require effort and determination to PAY ATTENTION.

With respect to this intentionality, I have two things to offer:

1. During this preparation season, I’ll be involved in the secular diversions as they are unavoidable to be certain.  This year, however, I am listening to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke on my own (The YouVersion Bible app features audio) in quiet reflection.  I am able to start and stop at will as I seriously contemplate this story as if I’d never heard it before.  It’s time for me to reject boredom in favor of awe-struck.
2. There's a story I heard on a Christmas music CD that resonates with me every time I think about how to experience this 2,000 year old event more vividly.  Paul Harvey voices The Man and the Birds. The link will take you to a page offering this story in text and audio (my personal preference).   

I hope that we can enjoy those 30 year old Hershey’s kisses play We Wish You a Merry Christmas as if for the very first time. I hope that as we purchase bags of those holiday-wrapped chocolates (and we most certainly will), we will hear a ‘bell-ringing-reminder’ encouraging us to experience the 2,000 year old Christmas Story in the very same way.

Adeste Fideles - And now, I think it's time for Christmas music too....