Creative Cures for the Common Christmas (by Shane Claiborne)
A few years ago I remember a pastor friend telling me they tried something a little different for their Christmas services. Instead of the usual holiday décor and clutter of the sanctuary, they brought in a bunch of manure and hay and scattered it under the pews so the place would really smell like the stank manger where it all began. I remember laughing hysterically as he described everyone coming in, in all their best Christmas attire, only to sit in the rank smell of a barn. They even brought a donkey in during the opening of the service that dropped a special gift as it moseyed down the aisle. Folks looked awkwardly at each other, and then busted out laughing. It was one of the most memorable services they've ever had. Certainly folks came face to face with the "reason for the season" and the reality of what it must have been like for the Savior of the universe to enter the world, far from the shopping malls, as a refugee who found no room in the inn.
Imagination.
That's what our Church and our world seem to be so hungry for–that "renewing of the mind" that will allow us not to "conform to the patterns of the world" as Romans says. I am incredibly hopeful this Advent, because there are so many signs of Christians who are longing for new ways to celebrate our Savior that are not cluttered with the noise of shopping and infected with the myth that happiness must be purchased.
On the biggest shopping day of the year ("Black Friday"), a bunch of us here in Philly headed to the Gallery Mall to exorcise the demons of the Shopocalypse and to heal the disease of Affluenza. Dozens of joyful, singing, dancing, liberated consumers converged on the mall to invite people to reimagine the season. With messages of "Love doesn't cost a thing," "Spend time not money," and "Buy less and love more," the celebration was magnetic. One woman passing by (shopping bag in hand) stopped and said pensively, "Why do we do this empty routine every year? Thanks for making me think."
Sometimes we just need permission to say "NO" to the 450 billion shopping dollars spent during this holiday, and to remember the poor, the refugees, the invisible people abused all over the world making the products we buy in the name of the one born in the manger. Besides, who knew that buying nothing could be so much fun?
One pastor told me that the kids in his congregation looked at the Christmas story with fresh vision. They saw that Jesus only got three gifts that first "Christmas" in Bethlehem … (and they weren't very good gifts at that–myrrh? And what's a baby to do with frankincense?) The kids in his congregation decided that they should not get more gifts than Jesus, and agreed that they would settle for three presents and give the others away.
Imagination.
It is a season pregnant with hope. Congregations across the empire have joined projects like Buy Nothing Christmas and other creative alternatives to the corporate holiday. Some pastor friends of mine started a new project called "The Advent Conspiracy" which has snowballed into an international movement "restoring the scandal of Christmas by worshipping Jesus through compassion not consumption." On their Web site they say:
While we are not living under Herod's reign, there is another empire of consumerism and materialism that threatens our faithfulness to Jesus. Jesus brought with him such an extraordinary Kingdom that is counter-culture to the kingdoms of this world.
That's the Christmas we love. These movements are not just a rant against consumerism but an invitation to renew our minds. These expressions of the true Christmas Spirit are not just about protesting, but protestifying (as our brother McLaren likes to say). They are protestifying that the most precious things in life cannot be bought or sold or stolen. And they are a reminder that the best thing to do with the best things in life is to give them away … lessons we can learn from the kids, or from our Savior who gave left the glory of heaven to join us in the mess we've made of earth.
Shane Claiborne is a Red Letter Christian, author of The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical, and a founding partner of The Simple Way community, a radical faith community that lives among and serves the homeless in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia.
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Comments
Well said Shane!
Posted by: Eric | December 11, 2007 11:31 AM
Live free in the love of Jesus.
I don't have a problem with challenging syncretistic, idolatrous, holy-days; and on the other hand; I have been told all my 50 years I am not fulfilling God's desires; not singing loud enough in church, not displaying appropriate exceitent, using Christmas trees, having too many pair of socks, etc. etc.
Please be at liberty to eat meat or not eact meat.
Posted by: letjusticerolldown | December 11, 2007 11:51 AM
I am with you most of the way, Shane. There is no question that consumerism is one of the great afflictions of our age, and that much of what happens during "the season" is way over the top and has nothing to do with the Advent of our Lord. But frankly, I think some of what is held up as a holy "protest" against these abuses sometimes becomes a form of legalism in itself: "don't buy anything," "don't go to the mall," "don't wear a coat and tie to Christmas Eve services, " etc. Hey, what about the working class family that, after years of scrimping and saving, finally is able to splurge a little and buy a nice sofa? It's our Christian duty to mock them as they roll their purchase out of Penney's? And what about the salesclerk at Macy's (my daughter, by the way), who's working long hours to save up money for college? It's an act of socially conscious "protestification" to look down at her as a tool of the corporations? And what about the old gent who puts on his finest suit for the candlelight service because he wants to honor the holy occasion with his very best? Ridicule him because he didn't wear jeans and Birkenstocks? Yes, by all means, keep our focus on the Reason for the Season, and hold the consumerist juggernaut at bay. But at the same time we need to avoid the equally dangerous temptation to become self-righteous critics of how other faithful people choose to celebrate the season. Celebrate Christ's birth as the Spririt leads you: and if buying gifts is your thing, keep it within moderate, responsible bounds and then enjoy it freely.
Posted by: Bill | December 11, 2007 12:23 PM
When I was younger, I had a custom of making my room a "Christmas Free Zone", mainly because I thought the hype had gotten out of hand and turned the whole thing into a tedious gauntlet of shopping and concerts, with a soundtrack of syrupy "Christmas Carols" constantly reminding my that this was supposed to be The Most Wonderful Time of the Year and enjoining me to exhibit "Peace on Earth and Good Will Towards Men".
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the gifts, but to this day my favorite holiday is New Years. There's a lot less pressure: No need to race around a whole lot or go out of your way to be nice to people you don't like. You go to a party and stay out late. The next morning you sleep in and watch football. I CAN DO THAT! (It helped even more when Michigan finally managed to win a couple bowl games.)
And then the day after that you go back to normal life, which isn't really so awful when you think about it.
I don't really think donkey turds are the way to go, and I wouldn't want to eliminate the custom of gift-giving altogether, but I can't blame Shane Claibourne for responding as he has. If he coaxes some people to rethink things and restore some balance to their life he'll be doing a lot of people a real service.
I guess what I'm saying is, take time for the important things this holiday season: invite some friends over and watch football.
Wolverine
Posted by: Wolverine | December 11, 2007 12:42 PM
invite some friends over and watch football
Better yet, get a big ol' game going in the backyard and hope for some snow :)
Posted by: splinterlog | December 11, 2007 1:03 PM
And better yet, Wolvie, take some of those donkey turds Shane is talkin' about, and in keeping with Ryan's new directive for behavior on this blog, after you've pelted all the resident liberals with same, spread them around your backyard and let the games begin!!
Posted by: canucklehead | December 11, 2007 2:09 PM
I think the underlying message that Shane is advocating is one that places the focus where it should be: on Christ, and finding new ways to experience the greatest gift ever given to mankind.
Those of you that feel Shane is an advocate for not giving gifts at all miss the point. (He evens mentions a group of students that decided to only receive three gifts because that is what Jesus was given). Should we all protest materialism? Yes, but not specifically by creating protest marches. The simple act of limiting our consumption and the number of gifts given/received can be a powerful testimony to those around us of what the really focus of Christmas should be. Ya know, in the world but not of it.
Posted by: Jerem Nelson | December 11, 2007 2:22 PM
I agree with Shane completely, I dont really see Shane lambasting people as they enter the mall. I see him providing a healthy reminder. I think it is best described in one of the signs he was holding "buy less, love more", I think everyone regardless of where you stand can agree with that statement.
Posted by: evan | December 11, 2007 3:04 PM
I think Shane is right on. My church recently decorated the sanctuary with gold colored trees, ornaments and wreaths. When i brought a not yet believing friend to service who has been utilizing not-so-legal means to make ends meet, he commented on the fact that if the church can afford gold christmas trees, why are there still so many homeless in our community? good question. I appreciate Shane's honest look at the current state of things and don't get the sense of harsh criticism that has been voiced by some of the other commenters.
Posted by: Will | December 11, 2007 3:07 PM
"buy less, love more"
Evan I like that idea , but perhaps giving gifts can be also just a way of showing love .
The commercial aspect of Christmas does support some real themes of Christmas also , perhaps not intentionally , but the music , the good cheer, giving without hoping of receiving , and such . Kids getting presents from civic groups and religious organizations that provide a message that the Birth of Christ was a good thing .
Perhaps those kids or those in homeless shelters do not know the love of Christ in their personal lives , but it is a way to plant a seed that one day may be harvested I think . And with our own family members , I think its good to celebrate Christmas with giving and allowing someone to give to you .
Anyway , good point , we need to remember the reason for the season .
Posted by: Mick Sheldon | December 11, 2007 6:47 PM
Hi Shane,
I remember meeting you at a youth rally out in Indiana in July 06. I heard you speak, bought your book (which you signed for me) and well... yeah, Jesus continues to wreck havoc on my life. I love this article and the creative ideas shared.
I feel like we are the "wise men" of our age but now we simply exchange our gold, frankincense, and myrrh amongst ourselves. So we end up with so much stuff we do not need (like myrrh, fruitcake, and 50" plasma TVs).
I write poetry about where we are stuck, like The Rich Young American and where we should be like, 'Twas the Very First Christmas. I share my poems on my blog at ricbooth.wordpress.com, at poetry open mics in DC, and at noontime devotions with the ex-offenders and ex-convicts at the Gospel Rescue Ministries (www.grm.org) in downtown DC. People think I am weird.
Thanks for the wake-up call last summer.
Oh yeah, this shackle poem was inspired by your reference to a man with a gold WWJD bracelet in your book.
The Prettiest Shackle You Ever Won't See
(ric booth, posted 8/17/07)
the prettiest shackle you ever won't see
adorns our wrists along with the key
the jailer said, "with this you'll be free!"
don't hate him. he's using. just like me
etched in gold, w.w.j.d?
the prettiest shackle you ever won’t see
we wear 'em on our shopping sprees
we wear 'em to click the shipping fee
we wear 'em to play on our new wiis
we wear 'em to pray on our knees
defend 'em with, "i gotta be me!"
the prettiest shackle you ever won't see
etched in gold w.w.j.d?
the answer of course is, He would wear me
adorned with my shame hung on my tree
the prettiest shackle you ever won't see
Posted by: Ric Booth | December 12, 2007 9:10 AM
My wife and I have stopped shopping for Christmas, but as a book publisher I know that forty percent or more of the books sold are sold between Halloween and Christmas (Hallothankanakkamass). I don't know the statistics for other retail commodities but I suspect they are similar. Our retail economy is rooted in this annual orgy: it is the heart of our capitalist enterprise. Without it, publishers would go out of business, many catalog sales operations would cease, and so on. I'm not arguing that we should celebrate Christmas to keep me in business; my point is that the Christmas shopping mentality is more an economic problem than a problem of religious observance. Our commercial system needs this artificial pump to keep going. A huge number of people depend on it for their livelihoods. Would Jesus shop so that others can eat?
Posted by: Kenneth Arnold | December 12, 2007 10:26 AM
Would Jesus shop so that others can eat?
Posted by: Kenneth Arnold
Hi Ken ,
I remember Him being taken to task to allow some nice perfume to be used on him . I think he might be more inclined to say Merry Christmas , lighten up , their is enough trouble coming your way , have a nice day and be good to each other .
Posted by: Mick Sheldon | December 12, 2007 12:07 PM
How about shopping at local stores for a few gifts ? Sure, tone down the spending and buying, but keep our local retailers in mind too. Thanks and everyone have a loving and safe holiday season !!
Posted by: sally | December 12, 2007 12:41 PM
i love it.
Posted by: Jeff Goins | December 12, 2007 4:22 PM
one of the many things i love about shane and his guys at the simple way is how what they do naturally and full of fun and life and humour, is such a prophetic sign to the body. he/they are such an inspiration to so many who find themselves in inevitably diverse situations. i often reflect that if i could turn the clock back 25 years, i would have made very different choices coming out of college, as shane did. i didnt though and find myself with a mortage, 4 kids and a huge wider family. what we have learned is that you can only take increnental steps from where you are. ruth valerio talks about this in her book L is for Lifetsyle. so we have moved from where we were at 7/8 years ago where all the kids in the family got huge amounts of plastic commercial rubbish every year in their stocking. now santa brings useful things, loads of 2nd hand stuff from thrift stores, things that have been mended, all the family now buys 1 item for each others family rather than 1 per person, there'll be loads of african goats and snail farms and water wells for villages "given" as well as stuff people need anyway (new soccer boots for growing feet) which is just saved for the 25th. with a load of our friends though we just agree not to buy stuff for each other and make sure we have a wonderful meal with some good quality vino when we get together......and so on. santa will also be visiting our new 14 yr old foster child so we have the challenges of how to bring her into all of this without her feeling like we undervalue her (like countless other have done over the years). all good fun!
i imagine that things will look different again in a few years time; hopefully we are always taking steps to being people who reflect the inevitable kingdom move away from the slavery of capitalism and advertising, yet full of the outrageous generosity of father God.
i believe the trick is to get inspired by not reactive to what shane is saying and in relationship and transparency with others around us decide what steps forward we can take.
next time shane i dare you to tell 'em about the polling booths.......!!
Posted by: james sharp | December 12, 2007 9:21 PM
Interesting and funny read. If I had brought that stuff into my church - we'd be looking for a new custodian. (I don't go for that kinda 'realism' in the worship center) I would set a manger scene out in the front of the church complete with all the smells.
I love Christmas - the decorations, the cooking and baking, the gathering with family and friends. It is a celebration - not so much the babe in the manger but the hope of the world. Sharing the Joy of the season - expressing love to others with a gift that reminds us of the greatest gift. Family and friends gathered together singing the carols and songs of the season that tell the story. (and we have to sing the 12 days of christmas) To me - it is just not Christmas with out Dup-a-gruta and patato sausage Christmas Eve. Going to church for Julatta at 6:00 in the morning on Christmas Day. Arriving when it is still dark and the candles in small paper bags on the steps leading into the church. Sing the swedish songs of the Christmas Season. (when else can you sing 'When Christmas Morn is Dawning'?) Leaving the church after the 'sun' has come up knowing that the 'Son' of God has come into the world. I know that the manner that I am celebrating is the way so many of my family celebrated over the centuries and I know that there is a connection.
So - you have a choice to get caught up in the commercialism of the season or caught up in the celebration of the season. It will most likely be a little bit of both, but the latter is more inportant.
Celebrate -
.
Posted by: Moderatelad | December 13, 2007 10:02 AM
Wolverine,
You ARE a Wolverine - I knew it!! GO BLUE!!
Posted by: whenwillwelearn | December 13, 2007 3:31 PM
Right on, Ric. Thank you for your poem.
Right on, Kenneth: ".... the Christmas shopping mentality is more an economic problem than a problem of religious observance. Our commercial system needs this artificial pump to keep going...."
PART OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE. MORE SUBTLE, IN THIS RESPECT, THAN THE ROMAN ONE.
Posted by: marilyn seven | December 13, 2007 7:56 PM
Wolverine
One thing stood out in your post about what you don't like about Christmas -- that you had to go out of your way to be nice to people you don't like. There's one cure for that -- go more out of your way for people you don't like. There will probably end up being fewer people you dislike and you might even enjoy Christmas more than football on New Years. It really works. Believe me, I'm in the retail business where it's easy to find people you don't like.And sometimes it takes a Herculean effort to be nice.
Posted by: c kitty | December 13, 2007 11:13 PM
Great piece, Shane. My family struggles with this issue, and has come a long way, I believe, from the orgies of sorts which were the Christmases I grew up with.
One bone I have to pick with you, however, is getting the Biblical birth story right. Jesus was not born in a manger! They laid him in a manger, which was some kind of eating trough for the animals, after he was born. If Joseph was worth his salt as a father, it was a clean manger, perhaps with some nice clean straw to comfort the baby Jesus in his strips of cloth. And I don't think you used the word "stable" but that's another common cultural misconception. The Bible doesn't use the word stable, or "barn" for that matter. That's the way we have interpreted it because that's where the animals go in our culture--or our culture of several hundred years ago when most Americans and Europeans were farmers when the popular Christmas myth was being constructed.
My understanding from Biblical scholars I trust is that the word used for "inn" is the same Greek word that was used for "upper room." So in all likelihood Mary and Joseph were not refused entrance at the local Motel 6, but the upper room was full with other guests, so they stayed downstairs close to where the animals were at night. Animals were brought into the home where the first floor had a raised stage-like area (perhaps with a built-in manger in the floor), where the animals could not get to. Apparently this is still the practice in some Palestinian homes to this day. It's ludicrous to think that Joseph and Mary were put out; afterall Joseph was returning to his ancestral home for the census--of course there would be many relatives there and do we really think they would turn away a pregnant woman? Well, OK, maybe if they had been aware of the scandalous circumstances behind the conception, but even that's a far cry from there being no room in the inn.
I suppose this interpretation would shatter the foundation of half of all Christmas sermons: "Do we have room in the inn of our heart for Jesus?" But there's no lack of other material to build on from the birth story, that's for sure.
Posted by: Jonathan H. | December 14, 2007 10:07 PM
Do You Suppose we've actually forgotten the original meaning of Christmas in our new society?? The materialism of the youngins is astonishing to say the least! The way we Worship the almightly dollar has to change or people are truly lost with no faith. We're bowing to the pressures of the greedy that want to sell by our buying products dangerous for children, useless once holidays are over, costing more than that anyone can afford, evil and destructive in so many ways to mind and body!! Yet for some reason unknown, we're not making a turnabout as every year seems to be worse than the last.
Posted by: Diane | December 16, 2007 7:17 PM
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