(Published in Wisconsin Dells Events, Dec. 21, 2002 issue.)

Like Scrooge in the classic Dickens tale, we also interact with three ghosts of Christmas. There is the Ghost of Christmas Commerce, the Ghost of Christmas Community, and the Ghost of Christmas Christ.

The Commerce spirit is all around - he speaks to us in the unholy scripture of advertising. Economists report his escapades on the nightly network news. He enters our hearts and tries to convince us that he embodies all of Christmas.

The Community spirit is a nobler fellow. He warms us in holiday family gatherings. He moves us once a year to be more sensitive to the needs of others. He is sung about in songs like "Home for the Holidays". He tempers the Commerce spirit so that we do a bit of genuine good for our fellow human beings.

The Christ spirit is much less visible. For some, the only annual sign of his presence is adding the number one to the previous year, signifying that the world counts time from his birth. Many celebrate Christmas mostly unaware of his presence.

Over the centuries a few well-meaning Christians have rebelled at the lack of Christ in Christmas by avoiding Christmas altogether. It has a ring of logic to it - if there is so little of Christ in Christmas then let's have Christ without Christmas.

I was one of those Christians. I did not celebrate Christmas for thirty years. No gifts. No trees. No cards. No lights. No carols. When the Ghost of Christmas Commerce came calling I replied "Get lost!". (And looking back, I confess I was somewhat smug about that.) I did miss the Ghost of Christmas Community. Christmas, even apart from Christ, does lift our thoughts above the mundane, even if only for a few days.

Seven years ago I went back to celebrating Christmas. In these eight Christmas seasons I have realized that Christ without Christmas really misses a big part of the unique Christian message. Worshiping Christ at Christmas annually reminds us that the God who created the billions of galaxies - each with billions of stars - became one of us. He stepped out of eternity and walked the earth living the same pains of life that we do. And he made it possible for us to be considered worthy of entering his eternal world. I don't know what that future existence will be like, but he came and showed us what he is like, and that will have to be good enough for now. The angels of long ago called this "Good news of great joy for all people". It's hard to believe - except as I approach six decades of life, I can see no better news offered by any other worldview.

I you look for humbug at Christmas, as I did for thirty years, you will find it. If you look for Christ at Christmas, you will find him. What are you looking for?