Shawn McCraney discusses the contrast between the materialistic and often hollow celebrations of Christmas with the true essence of the holiday, emphasizing that the core of Christmas should be the focus on Jesus, who was sent to save the world. He draws parallels between the superficial aspects of modern Christmas festivities and the perceived disconnect between Mormonism and true Christian beliefs, suggesting that both are filled with ornamentation but may lack a profound connection to their spiritual core.
The message delivered by Shawn criticizes the LDS Church for overshadowing the significance of Jesus Christ's birth with excessive reverence for Joseph Smith, thereby diluting the pure message of the gospel by intertwining it with Smith's narrative. This practice, according to Shawn, diminishes the essence of Christmas, transforming it into "Smithmas," by elevating Joseph Smith's role as pivotal in the fullness of times over the traditional Christian focus on Jesus's birth.
Christmas Reflections
Live! From the “Mecca of Mormonism” – SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – This is the last live show of Heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology. for 2007. It’s Christmas day and I’m your host . . . Show 51 Christmas December 25th 2007
Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion.
Reflections on Christmas Day
Well, in most cases, the gifts have been opened and the Christmas meals – by this time of night – have been consumed. Some of you have been abundantly blessed today by visits from family and friends, laughter, and material goods. Some of you have spent the day seemingly alone. Maybe you have had no Christmas celebration of which to speak. Maybe you saw no family, had no celebratory meal, received nor gave any gifts.
There are people listening tonight who have had a rough year. Maybe it has been difficult to make ends meet for you financially, physically, emotionally, and/or spiritually this year. You may not have been able to give the gifts you would have liked to your children or family or friends. Maybe you don’t share in the faith, interests, or values of those you love and have therefore been ostracized by them. It may be that you are going through the agony of divorce, the issues of being a homosexual, the trials of drug addiction. Some of you may have had your hearts broken this year or perhaps lost loved ones to deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God..
I am certain that some of our viewers are under the impression that they have no viable place to turn for help or solace. And I am sure there are a number of people who might wonder if there is even a God, if Jesus really was born to men, or if hope truly exists in such a difficult world. On one hand, we have people who have celebrated – and have been treated like – kings today. To them, Christmas is a sparkling, celebratory almost sensual experience, heightened by gifts, music and pleasure. On the other end, we have people who may think life is not even worth living when faced with the spectacle of the day. To them, it is a mockery of all they don’t have, all that is dark and not right with the world.
In view of the real reason this holiday is observed, neither experience is more impressive or valid than the other. The world is full of faithless, celebrating kings and hearts filled with hopeless despair. It has always been so – and it will always so be in this fallen world. What makes the true difference in either case is the fact – listen to me – the fact! that God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son to save it! Where “Christmas people” see some semblance of Jesus or spirituality in Christmas trees and tinsel, non-Christmas people see hypocrisy.
The Meaning of Christmas
Wherein lies the Truth? Or, “where is Jesus?” All around us, for the past two months or so, we have been reminded – constantly reminded – that this day was coming. The efforts at marketing, promotion, and sales have been astounding. And yet, among the poor and unsatiated AND the rich and overindulged, there exists a hollowness in the day that cannot be subsumed by personal bitterness or ambient felicity. The sole reason for this is that they do not have, nor do they understand, that which should be the basis and focus of everyday – Jesus.
Perhaps there exists no better comparative to present-day Mormonism and its argument for being Christian, than the present-day expressions of Christmas and its arguments of being about Christ. Like Mormonism today, Christmas is well orchestrated, full of sparkle, imagery of what should be, and expectations. The right music is played. Baby Jesus never cries, and the shining night stars burn brightly above temple square. There are nativities, Santa’s for the children – heck, even the name of “Christ” is in the name of the day! But how much of this stuff really has to do with the Birth of God? A token reading here. Three children in bathrobes bearing gifts there?
The Contemporary Christian Dilemma
Materialism run amok, leaving, instead of grace and forgiveness, works and indebtedness? I’m not going to ask why Christmas is so void of any true Christianity today – I think this is apparent. But maybe we should ask why Mormonism can be accused of the same – and we’ll use Christmas as the model as to why.
In my hometown Sunday morning, my wife attended her LDS ward and listened to a talk given by a stalwart sister defender of the faith.
The Integration of Joseph Smith into Christmas Celebrations
Her talk, which was delivered just two days before celebrating the birth of Jesus, this woman thought it important to recognize Joseph Smith’s birthday first, to read a glorifying statement about the man from none other than Gordon B. Hinckley, and to then give time to the birth of Jesus. She mixed the pure message of Jesus with Joseph. Things like this make Christmas hollow, my friends.
On the same Sunday, but here in Utah, I visited a random ward a picked up a program of the Choir Christmas Program. There, two days before the celebration of the birth of Jesus, what song did the choir choose to add to their repertoire of numbers? Joseph Smith’s First Prayer. But we cannot blame this LDS defender of the faith or the ward choir director. They are merely echoing what LDS periodicals and manuals have long done – diluting the message of Jesus with Joseph.
Oh, you say, that is a low blow, Mr. McCraney. You know very well that the Latter-day Saints rejoice in the celebration of Christmas, in the birth of Jesus, and of the atonement. This may be so. But just as true is the fact that the LDS have also – ALSO – diluted the pure Gospel of Jesus with the praise of Joseph. In my opinion, this not only makes Christmas hollow and weak, it makes Christmas SMITHMAS!
Biblical Context of Jesus' Birth
For starters, the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ was born in the fullness of time – meaning He was born just at the right time to bring forth the fullness of the everlasting gospel.
Galatians 4:4
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law
But Joseph – and the Church leaders who have followed and continue to endorse him – claim HE came in the fullness of times, that HE ushered in the final dispensation, and that Jesus merely arrived in the meridian of time.
