Commercialism at Christmastime: The True Gift Is Christ

Lance Clarke | The Voice of Zion December 2025 - Column -- 

Christmas often begins with lights in the streets, stores filled with shoppers, and Christmas music everywhere we go. The season can feel joyful, yet it can also bring stress, exhaustion, and financial pressure. We may sense that Christmas has drifted from its original purpose – to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Commercialism reaches into our homes and hearts, nudging us to pause and remember what this holy day truly means. 

When Christmas Became a Business 

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, department stores realized that Christmas could increase sales, and gift-centered advertising quickly grew. Today, Christmas products appear in stores as early as October, shifting our attention toward shopping and gifts. 

Giving gifts isn’t wrong. The wise men brought gifts to honor our Lord and Savior. Yet we do well to notice when our focus begins to drift – from gratitude and faith toward pressure and excess. The true meaning of Christmas can easily become hidden beneath wrapping paper. The most important gift one can receive is to hear the gospel of forgiveness of sins. 

The Subtle Pressure to Buy Happiness 

Advertisers know how to appeal to our emotions. We see images of perfect families, overflowing gift piles, and effortless joy. Those images hit deep in our hearts, and the enemy of souls can plant a false message, that love and happiness must be purchased with gifts. 

For some families, this pressure leads to overspending and unnecessary stress. The glitter fades, but the strain can remain. Scripture gently reminds us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Christ calls us back to peace – rooted not in what we buy, but in the gospel that washes sins away. 

Refocusing on Christ 

The first Christmas was simple. Jesus was born in a humble manger, not in abundance or luxury. The shepherds and wise men came not with extravagance, but with worship. The angel’s message was not “Buy and be merry,” but “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14). 

Commercialism says joy is something we create or purchase. God teaches that joy is something already given – through Christ and living faith. When Christ becomes the center of our celebrations, the season regains its true meaning, its wonder. 

Practical Ways to Keep Christmas Sacred 

Reclaiming Christmas doesn’t require rejecting traditions. It simply means shaping them around what matters most. Here are a few ways we can do this: 

• Give with purpose. Choose meaningful gifts – such as a note of encouragement, shared time, or helping someone in need. 

• Slow down. Take quiet time for prayer or Scripture reading. Read the story of Jesus’ birth with your family. Reflect on what Christ’s coming means today. 

• Serve others. Show kindness, volunteer, visit someone who is lonely. Serving reflects Christ more deeply than any gift. 

• Stay connected to your congregation. Attend services, sing together, celebrate Communion. These moments renew our faith and remind us that Christmas is a holy ground. 

The Real Gift of Christmas 

When we quiet the noise, we find a truth that does not fade: Christmas is about God’s love coming into the world through His Son – who gave His life for us and freely offers forgiveness. 

As we gather with family and friends, may we celebrate not with pressure or expectations, but with peace and gratitude. The miracle remains the same: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). 

The greatest gift did not come from a store, but from a manger.  

Lance Clarke lives in Longview, Washington, and loves the beautiful Pacific Northwest. When he was 18, a car accident left him a quadriplegic. “I strive to live every day to the fullest with my family and quality friends by my side, under God’s helping hand.”