A Christmas Like No Other - by Robert Stermscheg

“I hate Christmas!” His tone is matter-of-fact. 

What?! How can anyone hate Christmas? Obviously not spoken by a holiday reveler or churchgoer. On closer examination and prompted by my “how can you even think that?” rebuke, I get a quizzical look but not the answer I was looking for. 

Instead, I get a modified response from my acquaintance – who shall remain nameless – a little less severe but just as powerful. “Well, I hate the Christmas season.” And that sentiment is probably shared by more than just a few. 

Hold it! Let’s back up just a bit. Christmas and all its trappings is easily swallowed up by the countless children who’ve been indoctrinated from an early age to look forward to the magical season. Unfortunately, the appeal stems from a mythical figure and not the divine Christ child. 

Although to be fair, it all started with the right motivation and good intentions. A certain Greek bishop, St. Nicholas, lived during the Roman era, circa 280 CE. He was known to be a patron of many groups and his generosity to the impoverished was well-known. Perhaps that is where folklore took over and morphed the good bishop into a saintly figure who eventually became a giver of gifts to all children. 

Sadly, the giving of gifts has taken on a whole different meaning, one that I’m sure was never intended. A poem by Clement Moore in 1822, entitled, A Visit from St. Nicholas, was well received by family and friends. However, once it was published under a new title, The Night before Christmas, it was quickly propelled into something not intended by the original author. The generous and wise St. Nicholas had transformed into a jolly rotund man who had the ability to whisk through the night sky on a magical sled pulled by reindeer no less. 

Now better known as Santa Claus, the mystical figure no longer stems from central Europe but apparently lives at the North Pole, surrounded by elves who seem to do all the work. I trust they have a generous compensation package.

And with that revelation, everything has changed. Sure, we still have the nativity scene depicting the manger and baby Jesus, but all too often, it’s an after-thought and the figurines are relegated to the side or occupy a corner of the fireplace. The prominent display now consists of a large over-decorated Christmas tree, its base filled with brightly coloured wrapped presents. Hence the dislike for the so called Yuletide season. 

It’s changed so much that some even dread going to the local shopping centre, afraid of being accosted by the frenzy that accompanies harried shoppers. 

Well, “that was then, and this is now”, as the saying goes. The pandemic swept into North America, slow at first, but it quickly gained momentum. The first wave of infections was manageable, but how many of us were prepared for that second wave?  

Hospital wards are filled to capacity, staff are overworked, yet the patients keep coming. There was a glimmer of hope that if the public adhered to current restrictions, Christmas celebrations and gatherings were a possibility. 

Unfortunately, with the latest case numbers (infections) still climbing, Christmas in 2020 will be anything but normal. The malls are in danger of being closed altogether, with most of the stores shuttered due to government regulations. People are encouraged – the Premier of Manitoba even pleaded on local TV – to abide by recent protocols and stay home if at all possible.

Over 2000 years ago, everything changed with the birth of the Christ child. There was the initial celebration by the shepherds and the Magi. That, however, was short-lived, as a ruthless dictator sought to destroy the hope God had given humanity. 

We’re faced with a similar situation today. An unseen virus is attacking humanity. Much like Herod sought to destroy the most vulnerable, children under two years old, this pandemic is also seeking to kill the most vulnerable, albeit on the other end of the age spectrum. 

Let’s do our part by adhering to local health regulations, but also hold out hope, placing it in the One who gave it to us in the first place. We need to remember the elderly and pray for them, reaching out in meaningful ways whenever possible. Let’s put Christ back into Christmas and joyfully proclaim, “I love Christmas”.

Robert Stermscheg, born in Europe in 1956, was exposed to many wonderful writers – Edgar Rice Burroughs, Alexandre Dumas, and of course Karl May. He appreciated how they opened up a whole new world to our imaginations through their portrayal of life. Find out more at his website.  Robert is also currently serving as bookkeeper for ICWF.