CHRISTmas vs. Commercialism

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I hope your holidays are absolutely magnificent. I hope you don’t stop at the view of commercialism of Christmas but look beyond and see the life of Christ in the moment, in the hour and in the year. I hope you see God’s abundance. Perhaps in the gifts you receive, the gifts given, or the banquet of food set before you. I hope you see God’s forgiveness, grace and mercy in the apology extended to you from an offender. The smile given just to you because an overworked person behind the counter noticed you had been standing in line a long time, or the touch of someone’s hand to say “thanks”. I hope you see beyond the commercialism to the heart of God in His tenderness when you felt little arms thrown around your neck from a child who loves you very much.

I hope you see through the commercialism. Commercialism as defined by Webster: to manage on a business basis for profit. Commercial: producing artistic work of low standards for quick market success.

Commercialism affects more than just Christmas. It also affects the way we perceive life. What happens if we are unable to see beyond the commercialism of life? We will then see life promoted on a basis for profit, meaning how can I benefit from life? What can I get out of life in order to be successful? How can I make myself safe, secure and profitable? Notice all the “I’s”. The commercialism of life through artistic glitz is producing a low standard quick gratification. The desire of the commercial is to keep you on the glitz until you purchase the project.

God’s desire is that we look through the commercialism of life and see the reality of how God intended us to experience life, to live life, and see life. How is the glitz of the commercialism of life keeping you from experiencing the reality of God’s life? How is the glitz keeping you from experiencing God’s tender heart, His forgiveness and His love?

God is always faithful and by looking through the commercialism of life we can see the greatest story ever told, still exists.

© 2002, Scope Ministries International, Inc.
K. Ramirez