i recently remarked to a friend that i've never really got into the whole singingcarols thing. i still don't. while carols, presents and parties signify the celebration of christmas, it is disheartening to see the commercialisation of christmas and easter and all the 'christian' holidays (i can only think of christmas and easter at the moment. are there more?). everywhere i look (especially in shopping centres), i see people rushing to by gifts in fear of being a disappointment to their loved ones for not giving those brightly coloured [weird] shapes with ribbons and a card.

but i've never been one that conform to the ways of this world. sure, i like the presents that get associated with christmas but who wouldn't pass up the opportunity to get some free stuff? of course, you have to give back or you'll look like a totally selfish person. and i do feel disappointed if i give part of my heart wrapped in paper and decorated in ribbons away and not get something in return. i am afterall, human.

we conform because we don't want to be left behind. for example, 98% of the world's mp3 player market belong to apple, makers of ipod. everyone wants one. the church is no stranger to conforming. a church that is considered to be successful is one that has the most growth. everyone wants to be part of something successful, thus adding to the numbers. what about churches that statistically has 25 people that attend it and half of the numbers are leaders? what statistics don't see (or tell) is that this particular church has a high turnover rate due to the call of its members to move to different mission fields. neither does it show the megachurch keeps expanding where it keeps its members in its arms, never really letting them look out beyond the church's four walls.

one does not have to 'feel christmassy' to celebrate christmas. i celebrate the day that my God, who loves me so much that he sent his son to save my life. and my life is so much more full because of Jesus.

it's nine days till christmas. and who says i can only celebrate Jesus' birth on christmas day? i chose to celebrate everyday.