Culture War Clash

It's Christmas time. That festive time of year when people all the world over celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ! Or wait... is it really "Kwanzaa," the African-American celebration of heritage and culture? Or... is it "Hanukkah," and the Jewish Festival of Lights? Or, maybe it's a celebration of the "Winter Solstice," and the longest night of the year? Or, could it be this is a bad rerun of Seinfeld and we're all now celebrating "Festivus". Or, just possibly, it's none of the above and it's just a time for family, friends and loved ones to gather together and celebrate!

Down through the years the message of Christmas has been slowly, but surely, phased out and eliminated. I'm not going to get into how the Christmas celebration came about and all the history behind it, but its slide from its prominent place in the fabric of our life has created a clash of cultures that is waged each year at this time. We are to the place, now, where even the name Christmas is frowned upon. In some circles this battle is the centre of discussion and the cause of great angst and much hand wringing. I don't blame one bit people who are bemoaning the disintegration of society, the destruction of the family, the eroding of values, the elimination of morals and the decline of culture, and tradition. I abhor what I see going on around us. This once great society of ours has slipped into a moral cesspool of relativism and it seems as though we are going to drown in the muck of our own making. Taken in the larger context of what we see going on around us, it is easy for Christians to claim the de-emphasis of Christmas as just another example of political correctness and social progression strangling the last vestiges of tradition and values left in our society. So we're left asking, "What are we to do?" How should well meaning people who see the diminishing of Christmas and its place in our culture and society as just another example of pluralism respond? Or, what should those of us who see this as part of a larger decline in morals and values in our culture be doing?

Well first, I don't think we should be surprised. It you have even an inkling of a biblical worldview, then you know that this is what will take place. I'm not asking you to like it! I'm not even asking you to accept it! I am saying, don't respond as though it is a surprise, or as though it shouldn't be happening. Why God has ordained this to be, that's a discussion for another day, but the fact that humanity is rejecting the message of Christ and anything even remotely associated with it, such as Christmas, should be a surprise to no one who claims the name of Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Second, I want to encourage you to not let this get you down. Of course we want Christmas to hold a special place in the life of people and in our culture. I understand completely the frustration you experience over the disuse of the word "Christmas" to describe what we're celebrating. "Holiday Tree" instead of "Christmas Tree." Wishing you a "Happy Holiday" instead of a "Merry Christmas!" Retailers taking advantage of this special time of year to profit off of the birth of Jesus! What is all of this rot? Don't allow the Secular Progressives to get the better of you, or to rob you of your joy.

As a matter of fact, if there's anything those of us who celebrate the true reason for the season should be doing, it's just that... CELEBRATE! I'm not suggesting that we merely "put on a happy face," but that we make it our aim, our goal this Christmas to pursue joy, full and lasting joy in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, the Christ! I think it's the lyrics of an old Bonnie Rait song that say it best, "Let's give them something to talk about!" Let's show the world that Christians have more to celebrate, more reason for joy, more satisfaction and more contentment because of the birth of Jesus than all the other festivals and celebrations put together!

If we're really wanting to change the way people think, act and behave, then let's amp up the celebration and join the angelic host singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!" That'll get them talking!