Do They Know It’s Christmas?

We hear it every year. That song reminding us of those in third world countries, Africa, to be specific, who don’t have any of the material reminders of Christmas that we have. Recorded by singer Bono, with a focus on a particular famine in Ethiopia in 1984 and recorded in 2004 and 2014 for other causes, it has lines like “Where the only water flowing/Is the bitter sting of tears” and “And there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmas time/The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life”. While highly criticized for several reasons, the song does propose a good question: In the midst of the busy consumerism of Christmas, do we think of others, those who are concerned about surviving instead of a Christmas tree and what’s under it?

I really hadn’t paid much attention to the song, not until a few years ago.  I can still see remember the road I was driving up when it came on, just another Christmas song on the radio, when it dawned on me: actually, the question is misdirected, by 180 degrees to be exact.  The question isn’t do those in need, who are truly hungry, know it’s Christmas, but do we, as Americans even “see” the true meaning of Christmas anymore?  In places like Ethiopia, whose population is reported to be 62% Christian (in 2007), there is much higher chance of people recognizing the true meaning of Christmas than in America, where the same percentage, 65%, claimed to be Christian in 2019.  Why? 

Well, the answer is obvious, staring at us through store windows filled with the most desired new video game console, speaking to us out of our TV offering more Christmas movies, and consumer ads, than we could possibly watch, all of which purposely avoid anything to do with the actual meaning of Christmas.  Now, I know very little about Christmas in Africa, but in my estimation, Africa’s Christmas, like many other third world countries, is much smaller, largely observed by true believers, focused on the birth of Christ.  In America, the holiday is out of control, an overwhelming holiday that’s 95% secular.  Here, we are encouraged to “believe” in some ethereal idea based on, well, I’m not exactly sure what it’s based on, a fictional man in a red suit and a feeling of goodwill and happiness we are supposed conjure up from deep within ourselves, I guess.  And if we don’t celebrate this “Christless” holiday, we are Scrooges, killjoys who are denying this obscure spirit we desperately need to experience the baseless “joy” of the season. 

About 10 years ago, my English students were completing a holiday analogy practice.  Out of 15 students, only one knew that Christmas was based on a birth.  In a world where Christianity is considered antiquated and stuffy, an astonishing number of Americans, especially the younger generation, don’t really know what the true meaning of Christmas is.  At the same time, an astronomical number of 5^th graders in my son’s class still believe in Santa, ardently.  Even he is surprised at the vigilance with which this myth is carried out by his friends’ parents.

So, do those in need know it’s Christmas?  Many of them, yes, probably more than in America.  I can guarantee that while they don’t have snow, large displays, or pumpkin lattes, the believers in many countries with less comforts are celebrating birth of Christ with much less distraction than we are.  Sure, we know the true meaning.  We attend Christmas Eve services, along with the countless soul-numbing Christmas songs, movies and activities we partake in, determined to encourage joyous celebration without mentioning the baby born, the only true “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6-7). 

2020 has been challenging year to say the least.  And many are feeling less festive this year than usual.  Travel is risky, festivities are scaled down or cancelled altogether.  Many are only attending church online.  Christmas just doesn’t feel the same. And maybe that’s okay.  Maybe in mourning our usual holiday activities, we will actually remember the true reason to celebrate.  Maybe we will have time to truly see the baby in the manger, scorned by the world for our sake.  And maybe, just maybe, we will appreciate the message of the angels who proclaimed, “Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

This is the gift of 2020, a year filled with fear and unrest. What gift?  The gift of a need for him, the time to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.  So, may we be more like those brothers and sisters who don’t have the abundance we enjoy.  May we have their appreciation for the one, the only one, who can truly bring peace to our hearts and the Earth as a whole.