What Does Einstein Have to Do with Christmas?
What Does Einstein Have to Do with Christmas?
Christmas is many things to many people and seemingly nothing to many others. Whatever your perspective, you have to admit that the holiday season is typically a time to connect more with others, look at one another face-to-face, enjoy a meal together and exchange gifts. Christmas, aside from any faith component, is a holiday where people tend to care for one another more and care about other matters less.
The purpose of Christmas hasn’t changed but I think our world has changed drastically. Without realizing it, we have slowly and subtly morphed into a culture that is far less “Christmasy” or holiday-minded. We now connect more using technology and connect less on a personal, intimate basis. Albert Einstein said the following in April of 1946:
“I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots. I believe that the abominable deterioration of ethical standards stems primarily from the mechanization and depersonalization of our lives—a disastrous by product of science and technology. Nostra Culpa (we are to blame).”
What did this man see in the spring of 1946 that remotely compares to technology in 2019? There is a great prophetic truth in Albert’s assertion. We remain frenetic, hurried and we seem to think that technology will create for us more time to do other things, but it does not. It didn’t do so in 1946 and it won’t come close in 2019 and it may be even more tragic 30 years from now.
We have to become far more intentional about the way we approach life and intimacy, otherwise communication will be so diluted and endangered that we will only be able to relate through text rather than embrace or laugh together.
Here is a reminder, God loves you and He intentionally sent His Son to live in this world as your representative. This advent of Christ is actually a wonderful adventure. He doesn’t want to text you “lol” he wants to hear you laugh as he gives you cause to laugh. He isn’t so interested in sending you an emoji face, He has a greater interest in seeing you seek His face. He made the birds in such a way that they themselves “tweet”. He loves you, and more than that, he demonstrated that love on your behalf. As this world pulls on you to objectify others, keep empathy alive. As this world wallows in polarity and divisiveness, crave unity and collaboration. Enjoy your Christmas in December but keep it in your heart throughout the winter. Love others. Write a hand-written letter. Knock on someone’s door, share a cup of tea. Look into another’s eyes. Touch someone’s heart. Give something of you to them. It’s Christmas! Be personal for God is personal. Be generous as God is generous. Be gracious as he is gracious. It’s Christmas! Connect. Share. Laugh. Enjoy. Feast. And do it in person wherever possible! Merry Christmas.
“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:10-14)
