What does Santa need to know? Apparently in Japan, there is a Santa Claus Academy which is a training school for Santas. They learn magic tricks and straight answers, among other things. Probably a lot about the north pole, elf culture, and reindeer, as well!
In Japan, about 2% of the population is Christian. And yet Christmas is a very popular holiday there, as it is in the rest of the world. When I was younger, I felt that only Christians should celebrate Christmas. If you weren’t a follower of Jesus, then why would you care about the celebration of his birth? Then I learned about how many of the traditions that I associate with Christmas come from non-Christian religions and cultures. So, Christianity borrowed a lot of what I associate with Christmas. Now, it looks like the tide is turning and other religions and cultures are borrowing what we consider Christmas traditions, even though they are not Christian.
Actually, the universal attraction of Christmas should not surprise us. Don’t the angels in the story from Luke promise glad tidings of great joy to ALL people? So, many people beyond the Christian faith are celebrating Christmas. They are enjoying the wonder and joy of the season. They are celebrating the love and light of Christmas. They are glorying in the expressions of good will and generosity. They are taking delight in the music and festivities.
Christians see Jesus is an expression of God’s love for the whole world so it seems fitting that the whole world celebrate his birth.
Prayer: Help us not hoard the joy of this season. May our celebrations reflect the universality of the divine love that we see in Jesus. May we be filled with good will toward all people. This is the true spirit of Christmas. May it be so. Amen.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 