Is Christmas Dangerous?

I recently spent a little time with my son and his cousins browsing through the toy aisles at Target. After about 30 minutes I told them it was time to leave. Jack was almost relieved! I asked him why he looked so sad and he told me that "this store is making me feel yukky and jealous, can we leave now?"

It reminded of this article from ministry-to-children.com:

“If I only get that – then I’ll really be happy,” she said.
I was amazed. “You don’t really believe that? Do you?”
“Yes, it will make me happy . . .. I know it will.”

This was a conversation I had last week with a child from our church. It reminded me of the spiritual dangers of Christmas. Many children live in a world of lies. Every television commercial is making a promise that it’s product will never keep. Added together, these messages create a worldview with one unshakable foundation: If I can get more stuff, then I’ll be happy.

It’s not just the television that pushes the myth. Family traditions and good intentions also play their part. As a parent, I want to see the thrill in my son’s eyes when he opens his new Transformer. But what is the long term impact? Are we teaching kids that happiness comes in a box?