Why do we send photo cards to each other at Christmas? Why do we send Christmas newsletters to each other? Why send a Christmas card at all?I believe we take on this task, to connect.
Our lives are busy. We all know our cards aren't an accurate depiction of our lives. Truth is, all of us have challenges. We have loved ones who are experiencing illness or even facing death. We are in the midst of massive economic uncertainty... perhaps you've lost your job, your 401k is looking emaciated or you're upside down on your mortgage.
We're not as perfect as we suggest in our letters or photos...not even close. The funny thing is...we all know that too! Yet, we do it all every year anyway. Christmas, for some reason, has become about marketing ourselves to our friends...the very people to whom we should not have to promote ourselves.
We rarely talk about "real" things in a Christmas letter or suggest them in a photo. Instead, we trot everyone down to a scenic location, dress the same as each other (which we'd never do in real life), smile and snap the photo.
We did this as well...it was tragically hilarious. I dropped the family off at the beach and had to circle for a parking spot before joining them. On the way to the photographer, Reid managed to snag a balloon from an art show happening on site. We posed for a few shots, the balloon prominent in them all. Andy, Allie and I were some combination of frustrated, mortified and laughing our heads off.
Here's why. The organization I direct, Surfrider Foundation, has countless initiatives oriented around the long-term environmental cost inherent with single-use plastics. We run beach cleanups, push educational messaging to keep plastics away from sea animals, advocate banning plastic bags, and the like. There we stood, taking our Christmas photo...on the beach...with Reid proudly waving his single-use plastic balloon in front of the camera as it if were a fifth member of the family. That photo captured it all for me..and made me want to build a blog instead of sending out another "pretending to be perfect family" photo.
Let me continue to de-bunk the myth that everything is hunky dory. In the last year, I have shattered my wrist twice, had two surgeries, and learned I have severe osteoporosis caused by celiac disease. Oh yeah, and I'm allergic to 4 of the 6 basic food groups.
My hope is that when you conclude our series of posts, you'll see that our lives, like yours, are simultaneously challenging and wonderful beyond description. Then, we'll have connected more deeply. Christmas isn't really about putting our best foot forward; it's about understanding our place in the grand
er scheme. It's about understanding it's not about us; acknowledging our human limitations.December 25th is a prominent date. It has nothing to do with the tree in our living rooms, Santa, snow, or Bing Crosby. Truth is, almost all of what we suggest Christmas is about is a sham; we've been lied to...marketed to.
December 25th is the date a person was born. It matters who you think that person was. Jesus didn't leave us the option of calling him a "leader" or a "good person." He claimed to be the son of God. If someone was born today and made that statement, what would you call him? Maybe a whacko. Christ was savvy in a way rarely seen. He locked up his description. He took away the "nice guy" title by telling the whole truth. His self-proclaimed title forces all of us to understand the ramifications of what we decide to label him. In the words of C. S. Lewis words, "He is either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord." It was a wild strategy; I like it.
So...this December 25th go ahead; let's all celebrate Christmas. Sure, pass a present...drink some of that nasty eggnog...but also take a step back and make the call. Celebrate it after you make a decision on who this person--whose name is the root word of the day--is, to you personally.
Everything. It's Jesus' birthday.
