Simplify

DAILY BYTE

What kind of festive season do you want to have this year?

That’s the question we’re considering this week. Yesterday I suggested that the story of the Magi, who chose to come and worship the new-born king, reveals the only appropriate way to approach Christ – on our knees in worship. However, such worship will bring us into conflict with the norms and expectations of the systems of this world – represented by Herod.

When we declare our sole allegiance to the One who rules on the basis of selflessness and love, it requires a selflessness and love from us in return. Now such selflessness and love is commonly understood to be the essence of the Christmas spirit. And there will be many wonderful stories again this year of acts of kindness and generosity that reveal this spirit. But what is often missed is the extent to which our selfless, loving worship of Christ needs to shape the totality of our lives, and not just a few isolated gestures.

Let’s consider then some practical ways in which this might begin to happen for us this Christmas.

The first suggestion is this: simplify. It’s no exaggeration to say that the many forms of excessive indulgence that are so common to this season are symptomatic of a widespread spirit of materialism and greed in our culture that constantly has to take in more and more and more, but is never satisfied.

We see this with people over-eating, over-drinking, and over-spending. It can so easily get out of hand, and is so glibly justified as part of festive living. But it’s not – that’s the lie that our consumerist culture presents as the truth. The lie that the more you have the happier you’ll be.

The way to expose the lie is through the simple commitment to simplify. To simplify what you eat and drink, the presents you buy, the kind of entertainment you pursue – and to do so as an act of worship.

I’m not for a moment suggesting that your entire Christmas become bland and boring. In fact, I’m suggesting exactly the opposite – to rediscover the source of real richness & abundance. For every time you choose to simplify what you consume, it’s an opportunity to affirm that true happiness and fulfillment do not depend upon the abundance of one’s possessions. Every time you do so, it will be act of counter-cultural defiance as you declare that there is a more fundamental spiritual reality to this world than the glossy superficiality of materialistic things.

Many of us know how little children often seem to have more fun playing with the box than with the expensive present that comes inside of it. There’s a truth in that observation that’s worth reflecting on, as we think about what is truly important.

This Christmas, as an act of worship – simplify!

PRAY AS YOU GO

O Lord, how easily we miss the point. How quickly our lives get cluttered up with empty things. How readily we believe the adverts that convince us that we need more stuff to be happy and fulfilled. But when you entered the world it was without any razzmatazz or fanfare. In simplicity you came – a baby born in a stable. This Christmas, help us to recognize the profound truth contained in the manner of your coming. Help us to simplify our consumption and reduce the many unnecessary excesses that only get in the way of truly seeing and experiencing you. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING

Isaiah 55:1-3

Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.