Docudramas are highly popular art forms these days, and there is much that is entertaining and informative about these series which are based on real-life events. Nonetheless, we have to understand that truth and lies are diametrically opposite and be careful to learn to sift fact from fiction.
At Christmas time, we are faced with a blurring of boundaries between fact and fantasy. Much of this may well seem harmless to people, who view it as mere entertainment. I personally have grave reservations about this attitude. My concern is that the baby may literally get thrown out with the bath water, that as children grow up and leave behind their childish beliefs about Christmas, they may also leave behind Jesus Christ, relegating Him to the same level as the other fantasies. After all, if what our parents and families have told us about everything else connected to Christmas is based on fiction, why should we believe that what they have told us about the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ is fact?
This is not a popular view, but I am deeply concerned about how we allow fact and fiction to co-exist happily in our lives with no real sifting of the two. Jesus is not fantasy or fiction. The Bible is adamant that His birth, life, death and resurrection are rooted in history and in reality, that these are the most important truths in the world. Why adorn them with elves and bunnies and anything else which detract from who He is and what He has done?
People tell me that Christmas is ‘for the children’ and it’s not right to take the magic away from this season. I love Christmas as much as anyone, but it is not just for the children. It is for all people, for we all need a Saviour to rescue us from the dominion of darkness and bring us into God’s family and God’s kingdom. I’m all for wonder and awe and eyes lighting up with joy. I just don’t believe we need anything other than God to do this. I do appreciate children have a wonderful capacity for discerning truth and for distinguishing between fact and fantasy (my granddaughter will often say to me, ‘I’m just ‘tending, Grandma!’), but I am not so sure adults retain that ability as well!
