I grew up in a Catholic/Lutheran family, so we paid some attention to Jesus. Every Sunday, we’d wake up early (my brother and I would drag ourselves out of bed) and drive up to the local church. When we were younger, my brother and I would go to the adjacent Sunday school. Later in life, we joined our parents in the pews. We even went to a Catholic middle school.
I think it’s safe to say I’ve had my fair share of Jesus.
Okay, I know every devout Christian reading this is now screaming, “You can never have too much Jesus!” Yeah, maybe you can’t, but I’m good. I did it all: Baptism, First Holy Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation. I know more hymns than choir songs. I understand the importance of it all; I am religiously-educated, but it's not for me.
Now, I’m what you’d call a C.E.O.-- Christmas and Easter Only. That’s really the only time my family makes it to church anymore as a whole. Good thing, too; It’s the two most important days for Christians. We aren’t the only ones, though. Every year on Christmas Eve and Easter, our church becomes a standing-room-only place. Hundreds of people in the community come together for the service. Good for them, too. I’ve seen some Christians angered by the fact that people celebrate Christmas but don’t go to church. Like, seriously, how dare they celebrate a fat man in a suit who rides on a sleigh on Jesus’ birthday?
Newsflash: Jesus’s exact birthday wasn’t December 25th, it was just around that time. So, let the Pagans enjoy their candy canes and visits from Santa. They aren’t doing any harm to Jesus.
If you see a C.E.O. come in your church on Christmas Eve, shake their hand and welcome them. Don’t turn your nose up in disgust. You might think they’re “trying to be good Christians by coming to church twice a year,” but maybe it’s something bigger. Maybe they’ve become distanced form Jesus and are trying to understand why these holidays mean so much to everyone else in their families. Maybe they’re like me and want to remember that Easter isn’t about a bunny, and Christmas isn’t about presents. If you see a C.E.O. on Christmas Eve, wish them and their family a Merry Christmas. Show them how the cool Christians celebrate Christmas.
Merry Christmas everyone!
