So… if Jesus really *is* the reason for the season, then why are the main symbols of the season
#1. Christmas Tree
#2. Santa/St. Nick
mistletoe, holly, snowmen, snow flakes, etc.
everything but Jesus? Ahhh, commercialization — right?
Well, then, why do churches have huge trees in their sanctuaries/foyer but no (or very small in comparison) Nativity Scenes? Why do people put gifts under the tree, but not before a nativity scene? And, why are there so many gifts for each other and nothing for Jesus? Wouldn’t it make sense for *all* those gifts to go to “his church” at least? Probably wouldn’t be so popular then, I imagine.
Why didn’t anyone in the Bible celebrate it? Why didn’t the generation after them? How about the one after that? And after that?
Yes, these are rhetorical questions. Yes, I know the answers. 
#WhoYouFollwin’
Just my opinion... 
You’re welcome. That’s been on my mind lately and your wonderful blog post brought it again to mind. Nicely done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your thoughtful response!
I remember the excellent NPR piece very well from when it first aired.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting questions. I don’t know anything about whether or not people celebrated Christmas in the bible. I think in some way the commercialization of Christmas became such because we turned “giving love” (love being Christ) into giving gifts. It’s the way we began showing love one another in His name. It is now a mix of commercialization and religion. Clearly there are people who are not religious at all that celebrate Christmas and it only means gifts, family, food and traveling. But is that really so bad? What’s intrigued me this Christmas is looking at how Muslim Americans are finding their way of celebrating Christmas. Just like American Jews are known for going out for Chinese food on Christmas, how have American Muslim’s adapted to the largely American Christmas environment? Interestingly enough, as I know you’re aware, Muslims do believe in Jesus. I think (and correct me if I’m wrong) that they just don’t think Jesus is a part of God. They think He was just an outstanding prophet or something of that sort. Still, they revere Him in a way and even have a whole book on Mary and the birth of Jesus, etc. But to look at the way that Muslim Americans are celebrating Christmas now, some of those traditions seem to be even more religious-centered than our own. It’s much more reverent of Jesus than the American Christmas traditions have become. You might be interested in having a look at this via NPR: http://www.npr.org/2015/12/23/460726559/what-american-muslims-do-on-christmas-new-traditions-emerge
LikeLiked by 1 person