What Christmas Meant To C.S. Lewis
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- Join us in a thought-provoking exploration of C.S. Lewis's insightful perspectives on Christmas. In this video, we delve into the three distinct aspects of Christmas as described by the celebrated author and theologian. Lewis, known for his profound wisdom and literary mastery, offers a unique view on how Christmas has evolved and what it truly means.
Religious Significance: We start by briefly touching upon the religious aspect of Christmas, an essential and sacred celebration for Christians, as highlighted by Lewis.
The Joy of Merrymaking: Moving beyond the religious realm, we explore Lewis's views on Christmas as a popular holiday. He appreciates the merrymaking and hospitality that mark the season, emphasizing the importance of personal choice in celebration.
Confronting Commercialization: The core of our discussion centers around Lewis's critique of the commercialization of Christmas. He eloquently discusses the stress, involuntary nature of gift-giving, and the often meaningless exchange of goods that characterizes modern Christmas celebrations. His commentary sheds light on the physical and mental exhaustion that accompanies holiday preparations, the societal pressures of reciprocating gifts, and the overwhelming nature of holiday shopping.
Lewis wrote this many decades ago. How much more true is the third case today that it was in his day.
At least when CS Lewis wrote this, Jesus was still a part of the holiday...now its "winter break", "holiday tree," "happy holidays" etc., ad naseum
Jesus was never a part of Christmas. You're ignorant. Read your Bible and don't be offended by the word ignorant it means you're unlearned. The pagan festival is an abomination to the Father.
Wow, if Lewis thought the shops were busy then, what would he think now? Add to that the online shopping and endless ‘sales’ and ‘promotions.’ It is also getting harder and harder to find any reference to the real meaning of Christmas in the shops today. Thanks for posting this.🙏😊
The irony is that those who push this shopping culture are often the same people who tell us we must live differently in order to save the environment. Is it any wonder there is so much mental illness in our world?
@@tonybamber1137 Absolutely 👍 I think a lot of mental health problems are caused at least in part by people seeking their fulfilment in their material possessions when it is only Christ who can fill that part of us.
Eden, wow, definitely covers it. Did not expect that. This video and your comment... perfectly stated. Merry Christmas.❤
@@CarolR-gw4cv Merry Christmas 😊
It's a racket for sure.and already they are selling holidays for the new year. For myself I only require a little spring weather in which to walk and some peace and quiet, as for gifts my wife buys me something I want and I reciprocate by getting her something she needs or fancies. Lewis was a genius and ahead of his time.
The world has turned their backs on the real reason for the season. God/Jesus.
Maranatha.
Christ can no more be separated from Christmas than you can separate the sun from sunshine. Or kind from kindness or bright from brightness. To believe Christ is not really becessary for a celebration of Christmas is like thinking you don't really need snow to enjoy a walk in a snowstorm. It may be politically correct to remove Christ from Christmas but you are left with something other and less than what it is - Xmas. If political correctness declares Christ makes Christmas non-inclusive - politically incorrect - then common sense declares it's much more sensible to remove 'correct' from political correctness - political Xness.
I think precisely the opposite is true. It's a secular holiday at the darkest time of the year to cheer people up and, yes, stimulate the economy. To try to force religion into a holiday that is, in its essence, a winter solstice festival, is misguided and, frankly, silly. If you wish to honor Jesus, do so like an adult. He's not a toddler in need of a birthday party.
@@jamesmcinnis208 Yep! Nowhere are we told to celebrate His birth. If we want to, we can. If we don't want to, we don't have to. I myself prefer to honor Him for his works, His death and resurrection, and His gift of salvation.
I think we need a reminder of His birthday as we do of other people like Mother and Father and Presidents. I celebrate Christ not Santa
It is wonderful that someone had the courage to say the words of how so many people feel this time of year.
I haven’t seen the new movie about his intellectual debate with Freud yet, but he was surely one of the 20th centuries most brilliant minds.
"Better for nothing,
than for a nusence!"
❤I love it!❤
Blessings and kindest regards David from Australia.
🌏
🙄☝️
I would love to have been able to spend time with him- to talk with him about his faith and his thoughts about Christ. He has always been such an inspiration to me.
One day you will. Don't rush it though...eternity is a long time
You can - He wrote books
This Inkling has put the whole scenario in words perfectly. I enjoy listening to his comments being read anytime.
Born and raised Catholic in a Jewish neighborhood our early Christmases were as much spiritual as materialistic. As children, of course we wanted things. In 85, I stopped celebrating and my oldest sister was angry w/me about it and had to know why? Now, I am glad that, perhaps it makes people think about God and His son Jesus Christ a little more. And get together w/their scattered and broken families too. After 85 I made sure that I bought my siblings presents, not out of obligation and not at Xmas time but because I cherished them. And I made sure it was something that they liked, wanted or needed. I worked at Toys R' Us as a Seasonal job and saw just how competitive, greedy and even violent people would get. Very few were happy being there. So, even if I wasn't a believer in Jesus Christ I would've been turned off by the whole, must do, must have, keeping up with the Jones' nonsense. But done right, it can be a beautiful, and dare I say, a Holy time of year.
All of my Christmas gifts take the form of charitable donations - the greatest gift I can possibly receive any time is a phone call from a dear family member or friend, the gift of time
Omigosh, I LOVE this guy. He very eloquently expresses just how I feel yet rarely vocalize without being hit back with a barrage of whats-wrong-with-you questions. As a card-carrying charter member of the C.A.A. (Christmas Avoiders Association), I don't even get into the religious aspect of it that he briefly mentioned in #1 -- and I am a Christian. Now if yule excuse me, I'm going to kick back with a hot beverage, a book, and the glorious sound of silence. Have a wonderful day, everyone.
Read Narnia ...The lion, witch and wardrobe. C.S. Lewis is it's author.
@@lindaworthington4847 Oh yes, it's a wonderful book. I love Aslan, the "Jesus" character in the book.
How true today, as one preacher said, 'I asked god what he thinks of christmas and he replied -by all means have a party in the winter, but leave me out of it'.
Rather, find the party that God invites us to.
Wow, where's the Joy of amplifying the Goodness attached to reflecting & celebrating & evangelizing & singing & the giving (in many many forms) that goes with recognizing the birth of Christ Jesus ... Hark the herald Angels sing, Glory to the new born King!!! Totally opportunistic towards trumpeting the Good News of the triumphant Hope born into into this world, in word & deed, during the most ripe time of year for such all over the globe. Cheers all & Love much ❤️✝️☀️!!!
thank you for making this video!
Such wisdom! Yes, Shopkeepers will rule us if we let them. It is the nature of greed. We are constantly bombarded by commercials everywhere! The song “Can’t Get No Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones also expressed this same belief. Mad Men rule the masses. But there is a solution… I say let us turn it off and enjoy the solace of silence. Ahhh! Relief at last! Be of good cheer! There is hope. Blessings!
It really is true that what passes for Christmas today (and the last 75 years) ... that this Christmas is for kids. Kids love it. This is why it also makes sense that Lewis, as an older adult has no use for it...that is, for what passes for Christmas today. I am now in my 70s and remember oodles of "shopkeeper" Christmases, and loved every one of them...but that was when I was young. Now?...I agree with Lewis. I could not stand one more piece of junk, and have told the family so.
My problem is that the "religious" approach to Christmas doesn't work for me either. The traditional kind of service I loved is now only conducted by denominations that have gone liberal...I can't stand to sit in one of their pews. So, I'll tag along with my wife to her church this evening and put up with their "rock 'n roll band up on stage" service. Remind me to take my ear plugs...the sound level is deafening.
Totally agree with him about the useless gadgets and masses of junk part. 90% of what I ever got, I would not have bought for myself. Stopped exchanging gifts 30+ years ago and don’t regret doing so.
Lewis, a great Catholic!!!
@@StDavidpipes He was Anglican, then became atheist, agnostic and started leaning toward Communism untill he obsevered the Bolshevics in Russia, which disgusted him. His beliefs came back to Christianity . In his writings he exposed Catholic Doctrines, but did stop short of officially joining the Catholic Church because, he said, He grew up in protestant Northern Ireland where lots of people did the opposite of Christ's teachings ( not true Christians ) through committing violence against one another. He wanted to bring people closer to the Mother Church's ancient doctrines.
So nice to hear the person reading the letter also does the audiobook performance of Lewis' Space Trilogy.
Agree 100%!
Should the famous people today take Mr. Lewis's advice and mind their own business.
And the not so famous people
I don't play the gift game.
I enjoy gathering with friends, family for worship, food and fun games.
The only pressure is what are you bringing to the carrier in and what fun game are we going to play this year.
All you have to do is talk to your friends and family get them to agree enough is enough
Such a clever man, hit the nail on the head 👍
I always marvel at those in high places surrounded by material comforts like CS Lewis & many others decry consumerism.
I don't give in to pressure to buy people gifts. I will only buy for immediate family and thats it. If someone chooses to buy me a gift, thats lovely but their choice is not my problem..
I wonder what a careful writer like Lewis would have thought of the rather abominable AI generated voice-to-text captioning.
I am trying not to imagine the Whale of Despair.
Thank you for the message, but I suggest either proofreading and correcting the text or simply leave it off. It's distractingly full of mistakes.
Commercial for sure. We can thank Constantine for pairing the BIRTH OF JESUS THE CHRIST(CHRIST IS NOT HOT LAST NAME), with a winter festival.
Same with easter and RESURRECTION SUNDAY!
Excellent narrative and advice.
I very much enjoyed this, to all I wish glad tidings, and a happy new year🔔
Love it! I love how Lewis had the courage to come out from under the fake veneer of our culture and frame the obvious on any given subject. What a ledge!
The online text has many mistakes. The Robot translator of the spoken word is never to be trusted.
It's what you looking for! If you looking for Jesus in Christmas you will see Him, or you looking for the world's side of Christmas you will see that! I don't expect the world to show the real meaning of Christmas. They are blind and living in darkness. PEACE ON EARTH, GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN, must first be shown by the Church and Christians ✝️!
Chuckle chuckle brilliant!
I’m with Lewis, Church and Merrymaking:)
I grew up in the sixties……
We could not afford ‘junk’ apart from one toy everything was useful eg clothing even my parents presents to each other and none of it on ‘the never never’ eg the bank, the provi, barclaycard, wonga or the like!
Lord how the worlds changed luckily we’ll be changing back soon to what is truly important and worth living for.
Enjoy/Injoy
Hxxx
Whats scary is that CS lewis passed away in 1963(on the same day as JFK) So what it is now is even more of an abomination. Next year I plan on buying nobody material gifts and I will ask nobody to buy me anything. People have become so bound up in the gifting thing that christmas has become a very big burden and they cant see a way of escape. But the way of escape is to refuse to take part, dont play the game. If anyone is angry or annoyed at you, leave them to it, you're not responsible for their feelings. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus,, nothing else and our lord and savior would have nothing to do with this commercial and matierial madness, where gifts are given with the underlying expectation that gifts will be given in return, its transactional which contadicts the meaning of the word Gift.
Indeed.
Brilliant
I totally agree!
And here I always thought that Christmas gift giving had to do with God's gift of a little baby, born unto us to take upon himself all of our worldly sins, and that gift giving was an honor of that honest aspect. Now I know why I got that look from the neighbors when I bought them a thoughtful bag of Christmas treats to share with each other. They assumed they'd have to reciprocate! They thought I was fishing for a Christmas gift! But that wasn't it at all.
I love that he completely strips bear the pretense of Christmas gifting, and I love these snippets of his thoughts. However, please stop the captions...the misspellings and incorrect words take away from the meaningful thoughts of this great soul.
He states plainly what others only barely allow themselves to vaguely feel.
Dickens original it was a Christmas goose, not a Christmas turkey. Having turkey at Christmas dinner is quite modern, within the last fifty years only.
Goose and puddin with buckets of gravy, roasto potatoes and Swede! (American rutabaga)
Spot on😉
Hes not wrong. Its a “ commercial racket.”
we make it too complicated and we are “worn out.”
There are two types of Christmas, the consumeristic nightmare or the spiritual contemplation of the true meaning of Christ mass.
Consumerism, commercialisation & the devolution of meaning & purpose. Same could said of Easter & Halloween. And yet money does not truly satisfy (Eccl).
We have so bought into the traditions of man that we consider them "biblical" and the church goes right along with it. Nowhere in the Word are we told to celebrate Christ's birth. You want to have a party and give each other presents? Have at it, but as one commenter said, leave the Lord out of it. The mixture is horrendous.
If I may:
Who can disagree about the commercialization of Christmas? It is become in many quarters "Spendy Thriftmas" with little reference to the Christ of Christmas (and I so loathe "Happy Holidays" and the manufactured holidays I will not name).
But I think there is another perspective having to do with giving.
God so loved that He GAVE. Jesus became incarnate WILLINGLY, to give His life a ransom for us because of our sin, which otherwise estranges us from God forever. How is it that God Himself humbles Himself to be our Immanuel? And then to die an ignominious death upon a cross, as a man, for the likes of us? Of course, being also true God, His payment for our sin is more than sufficient, and proved by His resurrection. But can you imagine the pain that must have been attendant, not only inherent in the means of death, but far more in the separation of Father and Son? And for people, us, counted as enemies, yet to have redemption offered us? Do you see the magnitude, the worth, the glory, of this Gift?
And this, I think, must be the foundation of the custom of gift-giving at this season among Christians, and cultures influenced by them.
Then, too, consider the shopkeepers mentioned, the merchants. Are you not acquainted with at least some who, yes, may benefit from the traffic, but also those (typically smaller businesses) who have personal concern for their customers, and others, for whom they go the extra mile, diminishing their profits to in some way show genuine good will? Then, consider also those merchants who may be mostly mercenary, but still know they could not survive without the season's increased sales. Think of it: unbelieving merchants who (if they but saw it) are directly dependent on the Christ of Christmas for their livelihood! It is a remarkable testimony, even when unrecognized by many. Do you think God didn't account for this in His providence?
None of that suggests to me that we should be bad or careless stewards of what wealth we have. I am by no means saying Lewis is wrong, but were he my neighbor, I would like to give him something. (His writings have given me so much.) We ourselves these days mostly send cards (we make our own, at less cost than the postage), with some message we hope may reach the lost an encourage the believers. If we may find a way to honor Christ, truly, in giving, that is, I suppose, a part of the merry-making Lewis advocates - for truly this event of two millenia past, but with eternal effect, is well worth celebrating.
Somebody did an awful job of captions. And why were they deemed necessary?
A lunatic idea. There thousands of people who do not fall into this category. Merry CHRISTMAS!
Amen
Amen 👍
Is this speech part of some of Lewis' writings?
Ahead of his time. I’m sure he would be horrified at our ways now.
This is hilarious. Sending all that rubbish! He must have received a lot of useless junk.
bah humbug. I'm going to get more socks this year WOOOOOOQOOO!!!
I usually like my memories of Christmas. I’m not as certain about the present.
C.S. would be "ROLLING OVER IN HIS GRAVE" if he saw the INSANITY of what is going on in this DAY AND TIME!!!!
This would be much better if you corrected all the goofs in the subtitles.
The messiah was born in the fall. No one celebrated bdays when the messiah was here.. his followers did not celebrate … the history of Christmas and bdays started not that long ago… but long enough that those that are living now think its a normal part of life…we know nothing different.
No.for Christmas i no tuckey or maybe no present( it option if someone give you)I don't expect it.n no Christmas trees because my parents not celebrating but i like Christmas because this is time to let me grateful beautiful all around the world scenery n if you got leg you can walk around n feel the joy n this not cost alot n maybe you can eat simple delicious food.the history of this, long time people create it n this is time to spend time with people（holiday). N remember jesus because i am christian n i feel the pain for him,（jusus）.🙏🙏🙏
I must say that’s a very cynical view of Christmas , we can make it meaningful if you try !
Only if the birth of Jesus is involved, otherwise what he says is completely true.
Christmas is intrinsically special because it is supposed to be a celebration of the incarnation of God to save our wretched souls. We do not need to make Christmas special in any other way but to fall on our knees and be grateful for the one and only gift that counts.
C like Narnia author by CS Lewis! Aslan is Holy Son.
Everything that happens in history has been decreed/Predestined before the world was created see Eph 1:11, Proverbs 16:33 and Amos 3:6. And yes even when terrible things happen, I know it's hard for some people to accept but look what happened when David sinned against God and one of Davids punishments was that God told him that he was going to use Davids own son to shame his Father by Absalom Absalom doing something immoral to his Fathers concubines in front of all of Israel, see 2 Samuel 12:11-12 God said "Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and under the sun." Notice how God said "I WILL DO THIS THING."That was fulfilled in 2 Samuel 16:21-22. Jesus did not die for every single person ever and Jesus didn't die to make people savable. He died to save his elect. In John 17:9 Jesus said that he does not pray for the world. The word world is used in different contexts, in that context he's talking about the non elect. In John 3:16 world means that he purchased people from every tribe, tongue and nation Rev 5:9 and for the children of God scattered abroad John 11:52. Some have been "long beforehand marked out for condemnation" Jude 4 and "appointed to doom." 1 Peter 2:8. About Pharaoh God said “For this VERY PURPOSE I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.” So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires." Rom 9:17-18. Jesus said "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him." Matthew 11:25-27. So, 2 Pet 3:9 the "not willing that any should perish" if you read that letter in context, 2 Pet 1:1 says "To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours." As far as salvation for all men verses, Paul was refuting the false notion of his time that God was only desiring to save just the Jews and 1 Tim 2:2 says to pray "for kings and all who are in authority" because as humans WE DON'T KNOW WHO THE ELECT ARE SO WE PRAY FOR EVERYONE! That's what it means in verse 4 by saying "all men." Amos 3:2 God said "of all the nations of the earth I have only known you." For centuries God passed over the majority of humankind because this verse isn't about knowledge it's about relationship. And it isn't because God foresaw Israel was more righteous then the other nations because sometimes Israel was more sinful then the pagan nations see 2 Kings 21:9. Only those who were predestined to be saved will be see Acts 13:48, Ephesians 1:4-5, Eph 1:11, Romans 9:11-23, John 6:37. 1 Samuel 3:14 God said “Therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” That's Limited atonement.
The Grinch of Narnia! Haha!
Add to this that the roots of Christmas are, of course, wholly pagan, particularly from Rome with its celebration of Saturnalia and Sol Invictus the rebirth of the unconquered son. Merrymaking and gift giving where at the core of the festival of Saturnalia. December 25th has nothing to do with Jesus birth. The shepherds in the gospel accounts were staying overnight with the sheep in the fields and in first century palestine this didnt normally happen in December unless perhaps you were a jewish proselyte from far northern countries! Its very doubtful almost any Christian celebrated Jesus birth in the first two centuries of Christianity. It was added on to unite the ancient roman world under one umbrella by a man who used Christianity as a political pawn - Constantine.
In the Bible, if I recall correctly, there are three birthdays or anniversaries of birthdays celebrated. The first, you can read about in Genesis chapter 40. In this account about pharaoh's birthday party, he has a man beheaded. The second, is Jesus own actual birthday , the day he was born and shepherd's from relatively nearby area was alerted by angels about the birth of a Savior. Luke, chapter two. Of course this was the actual birthday of Jesus, not an anniversary of his birthday. The Bible accounts of Jesus' life on earth make no mention of anyone celebrating his birthday as an anniversary celebration. In fact, no mention anywhere in those accounts of anyone celebrating their own birthday or anyone's else ! Except, wicked Herod, who later tried to get the astrologers to report back to him about where the Christ child was so that he could murder this one "born King of the Jews". When they didn't , he (Herod) had all the boys in that area murdered- two years old and under. Matthew, chapter two . Luke , chapter two. A later Herod, celebrating his own birthday, had John the baptizer beheaded. I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses and we are known for Not celebrating Christmas or our own birthday's. Jesus nowhere in scripture commands his followers to celebrate his birth. Personally, I'm 78 years old and have Never celebrated Christmas. We aren't restricted from buying someone a gift for say , as an example, wedding anniversary, or just because we want to give someone something . It can come as a real surprise, they not expecting it😊 !!
What religion was C S Lewis 😮
If you claim to be one of God's then celebrate His holy days and not the world's holidays. Do not be deceived!
Surprisingly I don't think much of this critique. It was appropriate during a Christian culture but for our non-Christian culture this critique would be a help to all those who want to erase any thought of Christianity. Look at the retail elites who are vexed with wanting to destroy any remembrance of Christmas but still like the business. Their facile attempt to eradicate Christmas has only the mandated Happy Holidays response to show for it.
And then there are the children. Maybe they get too many toys but at some point as they grow their fond memories may prompt them to ask, Whats CHRISTMAS?
Cynical. Is it really a great sin to give gifts?
Not if it is done out of love and not mere social obligation.
Wow! I didn’t expect that. Frankly, that was terrifically spiteful. Of course, Christmas should be about the birth of Christ, but he was very cynical about the rest of it. A real Scrooge
Interesting how a worldwide Christian religion has been saying this for 1pm years already. I guess you need this dude to say it to believe it? Bet you still have your pagan tree up anyways. Kids like it right? Whatever I really don’t judge you but at least don’t lie to yourself and act like you care about the truth.
Miserable analysis. 😔
Not interested
Bah humbug.
Fruitcake Anyone? 😳
Sort of Scrooge-ish
You tube should rename itself satan tube
Should Christmas be celebrated?
What does the Bible say?
Remember 2 Timothy 3:16 says that all scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight…..
Christmas tree??
Jeremiah 10:1-5 says do not learn the way of the nations….for the customs of the people are a delusion……it is a tree of the forest that is cut down……they adorn it silver and gold….and fasten it with hammer and nails so it won’t fall over.
What about the star of Bethlehem that is normally placed on top of the Christmas tree? This ‘miraculous’ star first led the astrologers to King Herod, who wanted to kill Jesus. After Herod, the star immediately led the astrologers straight to Jesus. After Jesus, they started back to Herod, but one of God’s angels told them to go a different way. Matthew 2:1-12
What about Santa? Are we telling false stories?
2 Timothy 4:4
1Timothy 4:7
2 Peter 1:16
1 Timothy 1:4
What about birthdays?
Ecc 7:1 says that your day of death is better than your day of birth.
Did you know that there are 2 places in the Bible where someone was celebrating a birthday?
Phar’aoh celebrated his birthday. Was he a worshipper of God? Genesis 40:20
Herod celebrated his birthday. Was he a worshipper of God? Matthew 14:6
In both of these accounts, someone died, one of them being John the Baptist, Jesus’ own cousin.
Please remember 2 Timothy 3:16.
@@StDavidpipes
Yes.
Christianity is dead because no one cares for anyone so be careful with your words because the same people delivering this word has forsaken the goodness of Christ for he would never deny a good heart he even loved Juda
How is Christianity dead? It is spreading like wildfire in Africa! The Holy Spirit is working wonders. My Holy Spirit filled church is growing! Dead??