Have you heard of the Jesus Juke?
The “Jesus Juke” is a move that tells a friend,
“I wish you possessed the uber holiness I do and were instead talking about sweet baby Jesus in this conversation.”
Coined by Jonathan Acuff in his Stuff Christians Like blog, a Jesus Juke is like a tiny “shame grenade.” You throw it into an otherwise harmless conversation and then watch it splatter everyone in guilt and condemnation.
Christmas (and maybe Easter) seems to bring out the worst of the Jesus Jukes. Combine them with intentionally controversial headlines and memes and you can suck the Christmas joy right out of jolly ol’ Saint Nick himself.
Jesus Juke: St. Nick just made that sad trumpet sound: "whaaaa, waaaa."
An overly produced Jesus Juke is still a Jesus Juke.
I am not saying we should never challenge each other. I need to be pushed sometimes. I need to be reminded of the sacredness of this season when I am bombarded with ads that breed anxiety and foster materialism.
What I do not need is to be told, explicitly or implicitly, that the way I celebrate the season is wrong. I do not need the implication that some traditions are holier and more Catholic (yours) than others (mine).
Being challenged to think and re-grounded in faith leaves me open to becoming a better person. Being Jesus Juked over family traditions leaves me closed and defensive.
Most people do not Jesus Juke because they are trying to be unkind. They are usually trying to protect something holy. They just forget that holiness and harshness do not mix very well.
Jesus Jukes are easy to drop like a bomb in a Facebook comment, a quote-tweet, or an email, and then walk away. Loving reminders and gentle promptings take the time and effort of a genuine relationship.
Insults and controversial headlines attract attention and are often amusing. Genuine awareness of the holiness of the season inspires humility and a willingness to admit where I have missed the boat.
Let Peace Begin with Me
I will be the first to admit that I have made this mistake.
I've engaged in the "Great Santa Debate," shared posts without actually reading them, and tossed out opinions that were more about proving a point than sharing joy.
I've let myself get sucked into defensive, angry debates over things that aren't as important as being a joy-filled Christian at Christmas.
So before I roll my eyes at someone else’s Christmas post or fire off my own “truth bomb,” it is worth stopping to ask:
What is actually helpful here? What draws people toward Jesus instead of away?
The Reason for the Season
Christ's Incarnation, His coming as man in the flesh is unifying, not divisive. Christmas is a pivotal step in the Plan of Salvation that re-united us with God and Heaven.
How sad then that we (that I) have allowed it become a time of line drawing and division.
"Keep CHRIST is Christmas!" we proclaim.
It's a motto that is often less about Christ and more about dividing ourselves from "everyone else" – from the others who don't really "get it".
Say it With Me: No More Jesus Jukes
So what if we did this differently?
Instead of "Why I don't lie to my kids about Santa," how about...
I'm struggling with the commercialization of St. Nick this year...
Same concern, less accusation.
Instead of "Children are a PART of your family, not your trophies," how about...
Parents, we love to see you in your Christmas pictures too!
Same truth. Less Shame.
Instead of getting angry when we see others focusing on politically correct holiday celebrations, how about...
...choosing to be the people who enter into the joy of the many holidays, who show up with kindness instead of suspicion.
Instead of getting upset at whatever display goes up at the Capitol building, how about...
...making sure the decorations in our own homes include nativities and Advent wreaths.
Instead of mocking the public school for leaving baby Jesus out of the holiday program, how about...
...filling our homes and cars with all the beautiful hymns of the season and teaching them to our kids.
Instead of declaring a date at which it is acceptable to put up a Christmas tree, take down a Christmas tree, begin listening to Christmas music or stop listening to Christmas music, how about...
...simply making sure our Christmas celebrations are intentional, purposeful, and joy-filled, no matter when they begin or end.
Instead of dropping Jesus Jukes this Christmas or Advent, how about we remember that the joy of Jesus is the true gift of Christmas – and we let His joy radiate from us over the next few months.
Advent joy is steady. It comes from knowing God is already close to us and that He is drawing even clsoer. When we sharing that kind of joy, even in small, ordinary ways, we are evangelizing.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:15)
Jesus came that first Christmas quietly, faithfully, without fanfare. When he comes into our hearts, he comes with peace, joy, gentleness, self-control and all the other Fruits of the Spirit. Through Advent, he teaches us to do the same.
Who's with me?
