“THE SIMPLE LIFE” Three years ago, I visited the Amish, Mennonite and Amana colonies in Iowa. It was delightful. I sometimes felt like we were stepping back in time to witness historic ways of cooking, dressing, farming and traveling. A tour guide said people from the colonies correct those who say they’re old-fashioned. They describe their lifestyle as “living simply.” I bought this book, 20 Most Asked Questions about the Amish and Mennonites by Merle and Phyllis Good, Good Books, 1995. Today’s information is mostly from it. I came across the word “simple” so many times, I stopped counting. Their movement began in the 1500s in Switzerland, based on a commitment to re-baptize adults into Christianity upon their confession of faith. This was illegal, a treasonous act because the Swiss government was the head of the church. They were persecuted and burned at the stake. Today they still emphasize “simplicity” in their practice of faith (15), a “simple” obedience to the Word of God (16), and they live “simple” lifestyles to distinguish themselves from “the world” (26). This being the first Sunday in Advent, I called the Amish/Mennonite heritage center in Pennsylvania to ask how they celebrate Christmas. The manager said they celebrate Christmas ‘very simply:’ no Christmas trees, no Santa Clauses, no shopping. Many have no electricity, so there are no colored lights. They decorate with candles, lots of candles everywhere. They do exchange gifts, but only one gift per person, usually handmade and something the person wants or needs. They celebrate Christmas for two days – Dec. 25 & 26. Every year Christmas Day is spent at home with the family eating, playing and ending with a reading of the story of Jesus’ birth to the children. The day after is spent visiting friends. The manager concluded as she began, by saying, “The holiday is observed very simply.” Although I respect their beliefs, I have no interest in adopting the Simple life of the Amish/Mennonites. But some Americans are embracing the simple way of life in some ways, and I think it’s good. An article in the USA Today newspaper reads, “Some Americans trim more than the tree: Tired of debt, stress of buying gifts, they opt for simplicity.” There is a Slow-Down-The-Holidays movement that was started 18 years ago by, believe it or not, a United Methodist lay person in Johnsburg, New York. The article says that one-fourth of Americans don’t pay off their Christmas credit card debt until October. But even so, 17% of Americans say they are going to spend more this year than last year. Every year a larger percentage of Americans complain of feeling depressed and overspent during the month of January. So a small but growing percentage of folks are embracing The Simple Life – making gifts instead of buying them, giving family the gift of their time instead of presents, and focusing on church and family traditions to celebrate the holiday. It will be interesting to see if the movement continues to grow. All of my reading about the Simple life led me quite comfortably to the story of Jesus’ birth amid humble surroundings. And I thought of Paul and his plain and uncompromising way of sharing the gospel. His second letter is a complaint to the Corinthian church, about how they so easily accept made-up stories about Jesus from strangers. He wonders why they so readily fall for the lies about Jesus, and about him. Is Paul a real apostle or is he just full of pride? Their doubts caused him pain. He was their founding pastor, and they questioned everything he taught them. But when intellectual strangers came preaching theories about Jesus, they had no problems. Paul speculates about his personality, his delivery, his style. He wonders if the problem is that the gospel and his way of teaching it is too plain, too Simple for the co-called sophisticated Christians. He questions his communication skills and admits that he lacks the eloquence of the gifted super-apostles that wander in and out of the church. And he sarcastically writes that at least when he opens his mouth, he knows what he’s talking about. He knows that God commissioned him to bring them the good news; to share the gospel story of Jesus coming to earth as a baby to save everyone from their sins. He told them about the common Jewish girl named Mary becoming pregnant by the Holy Spirit, marrying a carpenter named Joseph, giving birth in a stable, and shepherds being the first witnesses. He shared the truth, plain and simply, so they could believe, understand and accept the love and grace of God. What was the problem? The purpose of Advent and Christmas is simple: we re-live the coming of the Christ Child into our lives with great expectation because the story of God’s salvation is beautiful, inclusive, eternal, too important to forget, and Simple enough for everyone to understand. Share your belief that this season isn’t about exchanging gifts, it’s about receiving God’s most extravagantly generous gift -– Jesus. This Internet message, sent to me by Bob & Joan Knight, illustrates the point so well. It’s titled, “ ‘Who Started This Christmas Stuff?’ A woman was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable; and after hours of hearing her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, they finally made it to the elevator. She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season: overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, get the perfect gift for every person on our shopping list, make sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card. Finally, the elevator doors opened, and it was crowded. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed, she couldn't take it anymore and she said, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot!" From the back of the elevator, everyone heard a quiet, calm voice say, "Don't worry, we already crucified Him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator, it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. This year, don't forget to keep ‘the One who started this whole Christmas thing’ in your every thought, deed, purchase and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.” Today, we don’t have to adopt the simple life of the Amish/Mennonites. We don’t have to join the Slow-Down-The-Holidays movement if we don’t want, although I personally think it’s a good idea. But we do need to make sure that attempts to make the season nothing more than a secular holiday are not successful. Don’t forget whose birthday it is. Like Paul, challenge anyone who tries to complicate the simple truth of the gospel. For the rest of the month, let’s practice Advent by living in anticipation of God’s Word Becoming Flesh. Amen? |