Christmas Television Specials – Do They Really Know the True Meaning of Christmas?

By:Rev. Michael Bresciani

Some sects of the church do not observe Christmas at all. Probably the most well know modern church that refuses to celebrate this holiday is the Jehovah Witnesses. It may surprise many people to learn that most of the Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony also banned this holiday. If approached without bias, an honest study of the origins of this holiday might not cancel all your Christmases but you would be certain of one thing, it is a man made mandate and nothing less. The advent is of God but the celebration of it, is of man.

I believe that the birth of Jesus Christ was the most important single event to happen on this old earth since it began. But I can’t prove to myself or anyone else that Christmas is a God given mandate. I don’t like the middle of the road stance on anything, I have always thought it is a cowards hiding place. I choose not to fight Christmas but to preach the Christ of Christmas. I abhor all that Christmas has become but I also know that it has a momentum that makes the speed of light look pokey. Suffice it to say that all the peripheral Christmas excesses and nonsense notwithstanding, I am glad for a season where at least some people are considering the birth of the Savior.

I don’t have an active battle going against Christmas but I cannot help raising at least one question. Where does Hollywood come into the picture? After feeding us sex, violence, crime, witchcraft, debauch and mayhem all year long how do they suddenly qualify for telling us the true meaning of Christmas?

The Christmas specials are like a black hole sucking in every ones attention from November first, to the dropping of the ball on Times Square. The Grinch, Little House on the Prairie, Charlie Brown, The Christmas Shoes, Scrooge and Marley, Robbie the Reindeer, Rudolph the Reindeer, Bambi the Reindeer (whoops), this is some of the specials fare and lest I forget, isn’t some network still playing John Denver’s Christmas specials?

Sure, some of them are ok and might be moderately entertaining, but the question still begs to be answered, how does Hollywood presume to tell us the true meaning of Christmas. Perhaps I should say, how do they even know the true meaning of Christmas. Do directors and producers take an October sabbatical to holy places, or secret themselves away and study the bible for a few weeks prior to the season? Not likely.

Almost everyone knows the biblical account of the birth of Christ. If you are one of those who somehow missed it just pick up a bible and read the entire second chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Remember you will only be reading the beginning of the story. If I were Paul Harvey I would urge you to take a break after which I would advise you to read “the rest of the story.” Jesus also lived a sinless life, preached the words of life, gave up his life and now offers you life. The rest of the story is what the full meaning of Christmas actually is. If taking a verse or passage out of context is truly only a pretext, then all of the meaning of Christmas dribble Hollywood serves up is just a pretext, regardless of how quaint or entertaining it may seem. The story of Christ’s humble birth is only the beginning and it is not supposed to end with television specials. It must end only with…”the rest of the story.”

Let me end with a “meaning of Christmas” thought that was given to me by the late Dr. Eathan Henry of New Orleans, Louisiana, a teacher in The Union Baptist Seminary. He said that “we are prone to think of the fullest meaning of Christmas as being a babe in a manger. Even though this is true, and even though the baby was the Christ child and promised Messiah of the scripture it still leaves something to be desired. When we consider that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself 1Corinthians 5:19 then the picture is significantly altered. It is not just a babe in a manger but it is…God in a baby.”

You can’t get any closer to the true meaning of Christmas than this, and if should you choose to ponder this wonderful truth let me say to you with all sincerity…Merry Christmas.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: christmas, television, specials, hollywood, robbie reindeer, rudolph, christmas shoes, charlie brown, scrooge, marley, manger, puritans, bay colony, massachusetts, paul harvey, Christ, holidays, times square, Messiah

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Rev Bresciani is the author of two books and has many articles published both online and in print. Visit the website at www.americanprophet.org

Top Holidays Articles
1). Halloween Pumpkin Carvings By : Sean Carter Pumpkin carving is one of the most enjoyed and most looked-forward-to traditions of Halloween, as also of the entire season Autumn. Pumpkins of all shapes hit the market during this season, but you got to be a little mindful while buying pumpkins for your Halloween pumpkin carving. Pumpkins sometimes come in odd shapes which do not make good visuals after carving.
2). Who Stole The Spirit Of Christmas By : Nicola Bullimore Once again it is the time of year where it is impossible to forget that Christmas is just around the corner, we see advertising on our TV’s, in the shops, on the radio and we read about it in magazines and newspapers, but what is Christmas all about? How have things changed since the time that Christmas began? Originally Christmas was all about Christians celebrating the birth of Jesus, now it has become a time where the kids are looking forward to seeing what Santa has left for them in their Christmas stockings and under the Christmas tree.
3). Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas For Children By : Nicole Dean You can find a large variety of Halloween costumes available at stores in your neighborhood. However, when you consider the cost and lack of originality, homemade costumes are a more fun and oftentimes more cost-effective option. Plus, if you involve your children in creating the homemade costumes, the results will be worth more than any store-bought costume in any store.
4). Three Holiday Ornaments Anyone Can Make By : Henry Gallant Do you spend loads of money on holiday ornaments every year, trying to create a unique and unforgettable Christmas tree display? Do you wish holiday decorating were simpler and more affordable? If so, here are three fun and easy ideas for creating your very own recycled Christmas tree ornaments! Remember, decorating need not be costly or stressful.
5). This Valentine’s Day Say “I Love You” With Cookies By : Christine Steendahl What better way to tell your sweetie “I Love You” than with some fresh baked cookies? Give some of these sweet treats a try this Valentine’s Day. Cupid himself would be impressed by these yummy creations. They are sure to be a hit with your Sweetheart, Children, Neighbors or anyone else special to you as well. Don’t forget to get the kids involved! I still have memories of making Valentine’s Day Cookies as a child.
6). Orgin Of Valentine's Day By : Nicole Dean Each February, in places around the world, friends exchange flowers, gifts, and candy in celebration of Valentine's Day. The name of St. Valentine is known across the globe as a patron saint. Most of us however, do not know the true origin of St. Valentine and how this special day came to be. What we do know is that February is the month of romance.
7). The holidays are upon us By : Carol Welsh Do difficult relatives ruin your holidays year after year? I had a colleague, Traci, who proclaimed a few weeks before Thanksgiving that the family gathering would be ruined as usual because of her sister-in-law, husband, and meddlesome nephew. She had a defeatist attitude plus she figuratively put on full battle gear ready to go to war with these despicable in-laws.
8). Caring For and Planting a Balled in Burlap Christmas Tree By : Michael J. McGroarty Tis the season when lots of people drag a real tree into their house and decorate it. Some people buy live trees that are balled in burlap instead of a cut tree. A live tree is a great idea, but many people make serious mistakes when it comes to handling a live tree, and they end up losing their money. The information in this article also pertains to any live tree you are planting, be it now during the winter, or during the summer.
9). Stay Sane This Holiday Season: 7 Tips To Make Your Life Easier By : Gwendolyn A. Lee The stress of the impending holiday season is enough to take an experienced host out of their Thanksgiving turkey, tryptophan-induced coma and turn them into a Christmas-crazed, Black Friday maniac. With these seven helpful hints, avoid the fervor of the masses and retain your sanity. 1. Delegate! Although hosting the perfect holiday celebration may feed your ego, it may also provide you with sleepless nights before the big event.
10). Welcome to Cyber Monday! By : Matthew C. Keegan Well, I learned something new this past weekend. Specifically, the Monday following Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest days for online retailers. Dubbed “Cyber Monday” by some, online merchants track one of the largest one day spikes in sales on this particular day much like “brick and mortar” purveyors experience with “Black Friday” the day that follows Thanksgiving.

New Holidays Articles
1). Enjoy Christmas Everyday With Christmas Screensavers By : CD Mohatta Most of us say - Let every day be Christmas. But we say this only during Christmas. As Christmas passes, the spirit passes and after some days, we all get busy with our day-to-day life and forget everything about Christmas and its spirit. Why do we wish every day to be Christmas? Because we all love the atmosphere of Christmas and the time, when we love giving.
2). Give your Mama the gifts of love By : Marianne Mother's Day, one of the most important holidays of the year, is coming soon. This year, it falls on May 14. Mom endured labor for you, so how can you repay her? It is the fact that giving dear Mom a gift for Mother's Day was no longer an easy task. Mother’s Day is the second most popular holiday for gift-giving, following Christmas. The simple things really count.
3). Fourth Of July - How To Select Ecards? By : CD Mohatta How to select ecards for Independence Day? It is a very significant t day when all Americans congratulate each other for the freedom they enjoy. The ecards must express their feelings effectively. Let us find out how to chose ecards for Fourth of July. Look for Free ecards - Please look for free ecards. Most of the sites offer free ecards, but there is a problem with free ecards - that of quality.
4). Memorial Day Screensavers - The Spirit Of Patriotism By : CD Mohatta Memorial Day is a national holiday in the United States. This day all Americans remember the brave soldiers who gave their life for their country. Memorial Day screensavers can bring a great sense of gratitude and patriotism. Let us see how we can use them. Please look for the following in selecting Memorial Day Screensavers. Design - Avoid downloading three-dimensional screensavers.
5). Wallpapers For Holidays - How To Chose Free Desktop Wallpapers? By : CD Mohatta Desktop wallpapers for holidays are a great treat for the eyes during the holidays. These wallpapers add color and festive spirit to the computer screen. Whenever you look at your desktop, you get to see a lovely wallpaper with lovely colors, designs and text. That feeling cannot be easily described. Desktop wallpapers and holidays - The holidays bring their own fun and festivity.
6). Poor Old Santa Claus By : Angie Stocklin Poor old Santa Claus. Sometimes he gets a bad rap. People say he doesn’t represent Christmas well. People say he doesn’t set a good example for Christians celebrating December 25. And people say—gasp!—that he doesn’t even exist. Plus, there are some folks out there who are trying to confuse just who Santa is. Is he really Saint Nicolas? Or is he some imposter, some big elf from the North Pole who wants to take credit for everything that Saint Nick has done and stands for.
7). Memorial Day Ecards - Select The Best By : CD Mohatta Memorial Day is the day all Americans remember the brave soldiers who gave their life for their country. If these brave soldiers had not given their life, it would have been difficult to get independence and maintain it. The nation is therefore always obliged to them. Please show your gratitude for the departed solders and praise their bravery. Share these thoughts with your friends and family with Memorial Day ecards.
8). Valentine Screensavers - Is Love Only For A Day In The Year? By : CD Mohatta Valentines day comes once in a year. But that does not mean that lovers stop loving each other for the rest of the year. They continue loving each other with the same intensity. The only difference is that on Valentines Day the love is expressed in different ways and lover overflows more. Valentine screensavers are designed to express this romantic love.
9). Thanksgiving Screensavers - Develop Attitude Of Gratitude By : CD Mohatta Thanksgiving is the time to feel gratitude for everything that we have. It is not only the celebration, but also the spirit of thanks that makes this holiday so special. If we think about our life, and ourselves we should thank the clouds for giving us rain, the trees because they give us fruit, the earth because it gives us a place to live. Our parents for giving birth to us, our friends, for sharing our thoughts and being with God and us for giving all these.
10). Father's Day Jokes That Will Bring A Smile To Dad's Face! By : Nicola Kennedy What better way to give dad a great day than to make him smile. With some funny Father’s Day jokes, you can do just that. This sampling of Father’s Day jokes from all over the internet will surely tickle your father’s funny bone this Father’s Day. One evening, while sitting around the dinner table, a little girl looked up and asked her father, “Daddy, you’re the boss, right?” Her father was very pleased by this and replied, “Yes.