I am a Christmas Grinch. I hate feeling obligated to buy my family presents just because it is social law. I can’t stand feeling empty in the Christmas season, because filling it up with gifts never fills the void. I also hate snow and being cold, and the song “White Christmas” for that matter. I can’t stand the taste of cinnamon or pumpkin spice lattes. I do enjoy Christmas displays, but not ones that idolize santa and overbearing red and green lights. I enjoy classic white lights, and the manger seen on every lawn. I basically am anti-holiday spirit, right? Nope. I just like to enjoy the season leaving out the traditions that nauseate me, even if it makes me alone in my cause.

Christmas has become way too big for its britches. Getting the wrong gift has become more of a no-no than celebrating a holiday where few are taught its true meaning. If someone doesn’t celebrate Christmas, they are anti-American. If they do celebrate Christmas without religion, they are promoting meaninglessness. Who is right? What is Christmas all about? Does Linus from the Peanuts really know what it’s all about, or is Lucy correct in thinking the holidays are a production?

Christmas has one focus in my family, the birth of Jesus Christ, the savior of our house and the world. To this day, when my father sings in his rough voice “Silent Night,” I feel the spirit of the season. I enjoy Christmas, not for the cute little Christmas villages cluttering the coffee tables of most houses, but because it is a season that emphasizes worship of the King that saves us all. It’s not about the gifts we give each other. The season is not even about sharing and learning about the goodness of humanity. The season is about learning how good God is. Yes, the rest of the year is about worship. Yes, the rest of the year should be spent learning about who Jesus is and how He lived on earth. CHRISTmas is simply a time we choose to refocus on the love of Christ, because most of the year is spent without this focus.

So, when I am told that I am a Christmas Scrooge because I do not enjoy the change of the season based on Christmas carols, cards, countdown calendars and the change in my Starbucks order, I want to say “bah humbug.” I do not believe in a Christmas that is about those things. I do not believe in a Christmas where Christ, and growing in our relationship with the Prince of Peace, in not the focus. I do not believe in a Christmas without Christianity.

I believe in spreading the joy we find in Christ. I believe in Christmas plays that celebrate the manger scene, Jesus music, and loving each other. I believe in a Christmas that reunites families. I believe in teaching Christian ideals on our holiday. I believe in the wonder and magic tied to who Jesus is. I believe in peace being brought throughout every land for one day; a day that celebrates Christ. I believe in a people who come together to worship endlessly the Lord who created us all. I believe in celebration, not because we are happy we got the new I-phone, but because we are saved from ultimate death. Baby Jesus wasn’t tied in bows and wrapping paper, but He came as a gift to our world anyway.