A few Christmases ago while I was window-shopping in Singapore, I came across a department store selling various sizes of manger scenes. What a rare sight! Most department stores sell Christmas trees, tinsels, etc. which are very western. The manger scenes reminded me of our Prime Minister’s advice to "Look East". That would mean contextualising some of the usual practices, such as singing "I’m dreaming of a White Christmas", feasting on turkey and roast lamb, and draping mistletoes around our house. Aren’t there any non-western festive items that will draw people back to the centrality of Christ?
Here are some suggestions to celebrate Christmas more meaningfully.
Decorations
While the Christmas tree has been widely used by both Christians and non-Christians as the main decorative item, it does not accurately reflect the purpose of Christmas. On the other hand, the manger/nativity scene – Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus in a manger, shepherds, stable animals etc. – may evoke queries from non-Christians, thus providing an opportunity to share the Christmas story.
Perhaps our local Christian bookstores can bulk-order the manger sets (thus lowering the price) or even get them produced locally. We can also hang or put up suitable Bible verses strategically around the house to give visitors first-hand contact with the message of Christmas.
Carolling
During one Christmas season, I managed to coerced my church’s youths to don costumes similar to those worn at the time of Jesus’ birth. So, dressed like shepherds and ordinary Jews, the high-spirited youths went around members’ homes proclaiming the Christmas message through carols. The invited guests from the neighbourhood were treated to a nice makan, and the hosts seized the opportunity to share their faith. And for the youths, that Christmas brought fresh insight into their understanding of the celebration.
Christ-centred Cards and Karaoke VCD
Sending meaningful Christmas cards is a good way to spread the gospel. But how about giving to your non-Christian friends Christmas karaoke VCDs that contain Christ-centred Christmas songs? Unfortunately, there is none in the market, to my knowledge. Those we have are filled with secular Christmas songs that have nothing to do with the birth of Christ or the gospel. (Non-Christian businessmen do know how to capitalise on the Christmas season.)
A 2-in-1 gospel-centred Christmas card cum karaoke VCD will make an excellent gift. The idea is here. So is the market. Now, we just need some enterprising Christian businessmen to pick this up.
Reflecting on a Swiss Christian activist group’s action to ban Santa Claus from Christmas, I feel that though their intention is noble, it will take major effort because Santa Claus has been widely accepted as the icon of Christmas. Another icon is the Christmas tree, which Christians and non-Christians alike like to put up.
From the sociological perspective, it will take one or two generations before any changes can be effected. Let this Christmas be the start of the change. Then, if the Lord should tarry for another two generations, our children and grandchildren will see manger scenes instead of Christmas trees.
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