For several years now, Christmas just hasn’t felt like Christmas to me. Perhaps it’s just a feeling that dissipates with age? Am I the only one that feels this way? All I know is that it’s been a really long time since Christmas didn’t just seem like any other day on the calendar.

There’s a sappy Faith Hill song called “Where Are You Christmas” I’m sure you’ve all heard a million times already this season… it says “if there is love in your heart and your mind, you will feel like Christmas all the time.” Maybe you’re on to something there Faith…

When I really stop to think about it, Christmas stopped feeling like Christmas as I grew up and started to understand economics, marketing and PR. Just like a present wrapped underneath the tree, these ‘three kings’ of our culture have absolutely buried the true essence of the Christmas season behind paper and bows. I rarely see love this time of year, just cash or credit.

What’s worse, Focus on the Family recently published this website asking consumers to rate which retailers are “Christmas-friendly”, all under the guise of “Standing for Christmas”. For example, according to their readers, Bass Pro Shop is 97% friendly, while GAP is 85% offensive.

So does that mean I’m not supposed to shop at GAP? Do I add them to my Christian Boycott Handbook: Christmas Edition now? Do I forward this information to all my friends and family, post it on Facebook so they know to boycott GAP too? What do I do with this wealth of information?

Wait a second… where’s the ‘golden rule’ being applied here? And if ratings really matter, shouldn’t WE (those of us who profess to know Christ) be the ones being rated on our ‘Christmas-friendliness’? We’re the one’s that know the true meaning of Christmas after all. We’re the ones that are called to be the light of the world, are we not?

While the ‘three kings’ mentioned above have certainly taken their toll on Christmas, we can expect that from our materialistic society. But what are WE as Christians doing differently? If Faith Hill is correct (and to an extent I believe she is), what are we doing to show love to others?

According to Focus on the Family, we should expect the world to wish us a hearty “Merry Christmas!” while we grab our bags of clothes and toys. Because if they don’t, by gosh, we’ll rate them into the ground! But wait, for us Christmas isn’t about presents, lights and trees and fat old men in red suits — at least it shouldn’t be, right? Or have we just bought into society’s definition of Christmas?

This year, I want Christmas to feel like Christmas again. I want to care less about what I receive and focus more on what I can give and how I can demonstrate God’s love for others. I believe this is one reason why Christmas has lost it’s “magic” for me.

Maybe it’s something as simple as letting someone ahead of you in line or donating clothes and food to the homeless. Or maybe, just maybe, taking the initiative and wishing the retailer a hearty “Merry Christmas!” without expecting one in return.

Has Christmas stopped feeling like Christmas to you? What are you doing to share God’s love with others this season?