I took a choo-choo train into the city last weekend in celebration of Hung’s birthday. Against all odds, I was able to locate Hung’s coworkers as they sat waiting at a restaurant in Korea-town. I accomplished this feat despite the fact that Amy described them as “a bunch of Asian people you don’t know.” The dinner was a surprise for Hung, who stared in disbelief for a few moments before realizing that he had been set up. Though cooking meat over a fire at your table has its merits, the highlight of the night happened across the street at a Karaoke bar three stories up. With the three wise men and some asian liqueur coursing through our veins, Hung and I sung a surprisingly heterosexual rendition of YMCA. Later, as an encore, we performed Paradise City. Pictures, I am told, are forthcoming.
The next day, while shopping for a gift for my mentor’s baby daughter, Anna and I found ourselves waiting in a long line at the toy store, which happened to be clearing out its inventory. People were grumpy and pushy. There were toys strewn across the floor, as though some giant had gripped the store and shaken vigorously. But it was no giant that had laid waste to this consumer feeding trough: it was holiday cheer. I said to Anna, “You know, I was thinking, I bet this is exactly how Jesus wanted us to celebrate his birthday.” This elicited a spontaneous outburst of laughter from the woman in front of us, who apologized for overhearing. Anna responded by covering my mouth in mock shame. At least, I hope it was mock.
There is already plenty of complaining about the consumerism of Christmas, but I don’t see anything inherently wrong with lots of people spending lots of money buying for their friends and family things that those people may or may not need or even want. I take issue with those who say that this is “The Season of Giving.” Christianity does not set aside this season for selfless charity, it teaches to practice it always. Even worse, however, is that Christmas tradition was never about giving gifts to those who need it most; it is about giving gifts to people you know and like, and those from whom you expect something in return. Programs like Toys for Tots and Child’s Play are wonderful, and deserving of praise. The rest of us seem to be missing the point, believing that we are participating in some magical social event. If this season were really about Giving with a capital G, we wouldn’t put up lights and buy a tree: we would spend that money on food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, drugs for the sick, and education for the ignorant.
To me, Jesus was just a nice Jewish man who got on someone’s bad side. But I’m perfectly happy talking about him as a teacher of love and tolerance and charity. It’s so sad that he’s taken second place to an imaginary fat man who gives gifts to those who are judged worthy. Talk about missing the point. So: Happy Birthday, Jesus. I’m sorry that people keep forgetting about you.
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