I have this memory of a church Christmas party when I was a child. The kids were invited to call out carols they wanted to sing. One boy shouted, "Jingle Bells." There was this moment of awkward silence, after which the leader said something like, "We don't sing that one. It's not about Jesus."

Really?!? Couldn't we, in the spirit of inclusiveness and christmasy goodwill, just have sung the damn song? Certainly we all knew it. Even at that tender age, I knew a golden opportunity to embody the love of God had just been horribly missed. "Jesus has left the building."

Sadly, by the time I reached young adulthood, I, too, had become a Christmas-carol snob. If it didn't have to do with the birth of Jesus, I wanted nothing to do with it. An album of Christmas music from a favorite artist that included "Jingle Bell Rock" or "The Christmas Song" disappointed me. It's Jesus or nothing!

I've let that go. Now I enjoy a good "Blue Christmas" or "Merry Christmas, Darling" or "Frosty the Snowman" or (especially) "Jingle Bells" with the rest of them.

I've come to understand that Christmas is, in fact, about a whole lot more than the birth of Jesus. Yes, that started it all, and I'm glad that–almost anywhere you go–that story continues to be told to those who otherwise wouldn't seek it out, in carols played in stores and on the radio, and in Christmas specials on TV (think of Linus's monologue in a A Charlie Brown Christmas), in community manger scenes and in the cards we send and receive.

But, in our culture, Christmas has come to mean much more, and who am I to say, "No, you have no right to peace and goodwill unless you make a particular profession"? If to you Christmas is the wonder on the faces of your kids on Christmas morning, God bless you. If to you Christmas means unwarranted generosity toward your family members and friends, God bless you. If for you, Christmas means observing traditions that bring your family together year after year, God bless you. If to you Christmas means twinkling lights, familiar carols, snow-covered pine trees and gingerbread cookies, God bless you. If Christmas means you draw closer to those you love–and those you don't–and find yourself smiling a bit more, God bless you. Because, with or without Jesus, every bit of that is also a legitimate, valuable, joyous part of Christmas. (And, in fact, every bit of that is also a way in which Jesus comes to us, whether recognized or not.)

So whatever it means to you–and however you celebrate it–a very Merry Christmas to you!

Text and image © 2010 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.