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!
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4 comments:
Well written and well said! Let's give them something different to talk about. Jesus makes all the difference. Let's live that way!
I think that for too long we have assumed that we have a God-given right to expect our political and social institutions to reflect our Christian values. It is great when they do and in a democracy we have an opportunity to influence society in ways that are consistent with our understanding of God's will for humanity. And yes, it is disconcerting when we see things going in the opposite direction. However, while we live and interact withIN the institutions of this world, we are OF the Kingdom of God--they are not and cannot be: that comes by faith, not legislation. In some ways, I think it is a good thing that these things are being forced apart, to avoid confusion between them. We would like the rest of the world to BE followers of Jesus for their own sakes, not just to act like it to make up feel good.
So, as you said so well, let's celebrate our Saviour because he is worth it, and so that the world may know. Christmas is OUR celebration; let's invite the world to share it with us.
btw, two thumbs up for your message on Dec 21!
Liberal appointed Judge and Liberals always blame the Church.
Read the CBC article first: Man sentenced for sexually assaulting teen daughter Last Updated: Friday, March 6, 2009 | 9:49 PM PT CBC News man who pleaded guilty last year to sexually assaulting his daughter while she was a teenager was sentenced to jail Friday afternoon in Abbotsford, B.C. Kenneth Duncalfe was handed a nine-month jail sentence, along with two years\' probation, for his role in repeatedly molesting his daughter, Susan Duncalfe, 43, while she was between 14 and 22 years old. He pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault and one count of indecent assault against his daughter last September. At the time of Susan’s abuse, her entire family held memberships in the Mennonite Church of God in Christ in Abbotsford. Susan said the church knew about the abuse, which took place in the 1970s and 1980s, but never took action to deal with it. “My father was excommunicated from the church and then reaccepted a couple weeks later, and it was never talked about.” Daughter left church Susan left the church when she was in her early 20s and came forward with her allegations of abuse seven years ago. Judge John Lenaghan blasted church leaders for inaction in his reasons for judgment Friday. “They have known about the sexual abuse of this young woman for 18 years and did nothing about it,” Lenaghan said. The judge also admonished Duncalfe for failing to show remorse towards his daughter. -------------------------------------- Why is the judge admonishing the guy?? What did the Liberal appoined judge do about it nothing, not 10 minutes in jail. The Church is not the finder of fact in disputed cases the Judge is and he did nothing, the Church has no right to call evidence. The Judge should be blasted in a news release for his cheap shots. And saw you respect the finding of guilt and its up to them to deliver the punishment. He may be a member of a fitness club, a member of a bridge club a member of a company why not blast them. To blame the church is a joke. Why did the police do nothing, why did her school do nothing. The judge lets crimminals walk every day, the church has never let a crimminal walk away. The judge never heard from the Church. Now make some noise about this.
The crimminal is responsible not the church, the church does not run the courts.
When the courts here of illegal activiity it is referred to the police on the understanding it will be refered to the courts to dish out punishment and the Judge choose to do nothing.
The Church needs to respond forcefully on this.
Funny Liberals allow gay marrige and appoint the Liberal judges who are liberal sometimes called civil liberties meaning the individual rights come before the collective rights of society like the collective rights of security. The liberal constant and relentless attack on Churches so the WHALES the white homosexual and Liberal Elites can push God our of schools and homosexuality in is just plain dirty.
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