The Christmas season is one full of joy and warmth. One in which we focus on almsgiving and charity. When we spend time with the ones we love, and revel in the birth of our Lord and Savior.


Or, at least, it used to be. 


Today it has become grossly overshadowed by consumerism, and romanticized to the point of no return. Black Friday, nagging commercials, puke-worthy Hallmark movies and holiday stress distract us from the true reason for the season. 


If you celebrate Christmas the same way an atheist celebrates Christmas, you're doing something wrong. In our secular world, it gets hard to not get caught up in the materialism of it all, but surely we should at least be going to church on Christmas Day, right? 


Unfortunately, I know this isn't the case with some Christian sects. It's no wonder why so many people from the outside looking in don't take our zeal for the faith seriously. This is why we get labeled hypocrites. We won't even take time out of our day to celebrate the birth of our Savior, just so we can stay at home and indulge in gifts and gorge on sweets. It's pitiful.


How did we allow ourselves to get to this point? A point where we are more worried about presents, proposals and piddly matters instead of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. 


It all boils down to two faulty ideas about church history. Stick with me-