It just so happened that today (Christmas 2020!) I watched Community S2:Ep11 “Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas”. I knew I was in for some cringing but Community makes you want to watch through their episodes to get to the next because they are mostly so well made! But it is not without its cringe biscuits. And here was one well timed crissy cringe cookie.
As Abed goes on a journey to discover the meaning of Christmas, his friends journey with him to help him get over the fact that his mother is spending Christmas with another family (because everyone’s families are affected by divorce)… let’s just sit on that for a moment.
Now moving on.
Right before the end of the episode I said to my wife before the big reveal, “prepare to be underwhelmed.” Who would have thought such a creative show could be so predictable! But nothing is immune from Political Correctness. As Abed unwrapped the meaning of Christmas we discover that he needs his friends to help him fight off his demons (the Christmas warlock/therapist) and learn that “Christmas has meaning because we give it meaning, and we give it whatever meaning we want.” Amazing stuff! I’m blown away. I’m invigorated with Christmas zeal to spread the perfectly sanitised message of Christmas – that it’s just “whatever”… Nah. That’s coal in a dirty soccer sock. Total trash. At least the message is. Community is a lot of fun but it’s a very poor teacher. Kinda like that crazy uncle that shows up on Christmas, uncle Bob. He’s a lot of fun but don’t believe a word he says.
Christmas is the beginning of a war won by Jesus over the devil to save sinners. That’s what it is.
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery… Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
(Hebrews 2:14–18 ESV)
Bigvai and Shiphrah 