Many people in today’s world decry the secularization of the Christmas season, and in many ways these concerns are legitimate. Nonetheless, no amount of consumerism or decline in religious devotion has completely undermined the spiritually or morally-charged nature of this season, something seen in the fact that this remains one common feature of Christmas-themed literature or cinema.
Pick any Christmas film or book at random, and more times than not the film will center around some variant of a common theme: one individual character is presented as mean-spirited, greedy, morally degenerate, or suffering from some moral dilemma; yet, their negative character traits are overcome, or their moral quandary resolved, due to some series of morally or spiritually enlightening events taking place on or near Christmas which leads them to recognize the “true meaning of Christmas.”
Many of the major Christmas classics follow this pattern: “A Christmas Carol,” “What A Wonderful Life,” “The Grinch,” or even more contemporary films, including “Elf.” Part of the reason for the popularity of these films is due to the fact that it does show something about the nature or meaning of Christmas, and therefore appeals to something deep in the soul of many Americans, and many in the West more generally, as a civilization with deep Christian roots. A strong emphasis on moral conversion, and the belief that a truly happy life is one centered on self-giving love, kindness and generosity, is something that resonates with our spiritual heritage.
Nonetheless, the message of most Christmas-themed literature and cinema is often framed in terms of vague, secular moralism. “You will be happier if only you were less hateful.” “You will live a more fulfilling life if only you were more loving or generous.” “We should be seeking to create a way of life based on love, peace and solidarity.” While these messages are true, the way they are framed fails to keep in mind the specifically spiritual nature of Christmas.
Why should Christmas motivate us to live a life of deeper, more profound love? Because in Christmas we celebrate the Incarnation, that is, God, the Source of all love saving us by taking on a human nature. It is in this act of Divine Love appearing to us, quite literally face-to-face, that we are drawn closer to God, and thereby experience the spiritual conversion or renewal necessary to experience true love.
It is for this reason that St. Athanasius, an early defender of the divinity of Christ, taught that God became man so that man, tainted by sin, might have a share in God’s own life through grace. Because of this belief, the Church prays on every Christmas, “For in the mystery of the Word made flesh, a new light of Your Glory has shone upon the eyes of our mind, so that, as we recognize in Him God made visible, we may be caught up through Him in love of things invisible.” Jesus Christ, God made man, reveals to us the truth that God is love.
It is only when framed in this context that we can better understand and appreciate the true moral meaning of Christmas.
Cole DeSantis is a correspondent for the Rhode Island Catholic and holds a master’s degree in theology from Providence College.
