Field Notes from a Religion-Less Christian

December 1, 2021

“Even if You Do Buy that Lexus, There is Hope” (Idolatry and Christmas)

A friend of mine recently on a Facebook post stated that our Christmas TV commercials promoting giving upscale automobiles as a celebration of somebody’s birthday (could it be Santa’s birthday? The Ad does not say and we don’t know!), even though the occasion for the giving (that is, the birthday) is never stated, is a raw reminder of how we have lost the spirit and letter of Christmas. True enough. The prophet Amos would be proud of my buddy for echoing Amos’ acerbic words. What are we to do? How are we to live with this accusing judgement that withers us?

We become grim and cast stones at the idol of materialism while looking to buy our next car. Or even this, we don’t buy that car now but feel as though we have paid the right price and God’s righteousness will notice. We are absolutely caught in the web of sins and sin and find no rest even in the awareness and acknowledgement of it all. We hear the word of God that speaks directly to our practical and situational behaviors, “You shall have no other Gods,” and find there only accusation that oppresses. 

Where is any liberation?

Only when that same Subject, God, transforms those words of demand to promise. God will make the way, will do the deed, the justice for all, the making us have no other gods, including us in our entrapment. From the Exodus to the Resurrection, the biblical narrative breaks out in a freedom song: liberation comes only from God and in God. 

Do we need to sell the Lexus and give to the poor? Yes, still. But do we also live in the peace of God because God’s mercy simply will not be denied even if and when we instead sell or trade-in that Lexus in order to upgrade to a Mercedes? Well, yes still. There is just no stopping God’s work of righteousness upon us. 

“Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord.” No wonder the angels sing “Glory to God in the Highest and Peace to God’s people on Earth!”