The life and death of Jesus altered the course of history more than any other person who has ever lived.
It's that time of year again. Yes, it's time for the flurry of shopping malls, office parties, house parties, presents, laughter and good cheer, decorations, too much food, Frosty, Santa, and reindeer.
Meanwhile, it's the annual "December dilemma" for public officials on how celebrate a religious holiday without being sued by the ACLU. Gee, talk about Grinch. The secularist campaign to remove Christ from Christmas, and any religious reference of the holiday from public schools, parks, libraries, and government buildings, is about as jolly as a cup of sour eggnog. In recent years, they even tried to stop children from saying "Merry Christmas" at school.
While Christmas is celebrated in the vast majority of homes across America, it seems the meaning of the holiday is often misunderstood. So, let's think what Christmas is about for a moment.
The intent of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of a special child, Jesus Christ, into this world. The world has been a much better place since he was born in Bethlehem on that day long ago. The life, and death, of Jesus altered the course of history more than any other person who has ever lived.
On an earthly level, his service to humanity has been a great leap forward that reverberates to this day. While he has been a leading inspiration for advancements in Western culture, in science, in medicine, and in the arts, we also know Jesus as the greatest social reformer ever to walk the earth.
Before his birth, the world had little compassion for women, the sick, the lame, the elderly, or for human life in general. His revelation that all people are equal before God, and that all people have basic God-given rights and freedoms, were major reasons for the founding of democracy.
On a personal level, his life enriches us today, and tells us death is not the end. His inspiration leads us to act beyond our own self-interest. His message of faith, love, and compassion will forever challenge us in our strength and comfort us in our weakness.
It is interesting to note that God foretold his plan for humanity through the Hebrew prophets hundreds of years before Jesus was born. Isaiah, for one, wrote:
And as it was prophesied, so it happened. By giving his son, we know God loves us, and we can have a relationship with the Maker of all Creation. It means we can be forgiven of our sins, no matter what they are, and start a new life. While his grace is given to us simply by asking for it, he also gives us free will. It is still our choice whether or not to accept his offer.
Through all the frenzy of the holiday season, Christmas is about the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives. It is the celebration of His birth — the gift of God to all people. When the presents under your tree are unwrapped, come share the joy and comfort of this special gift in a church near you.
There is much hypocrisy in the anti-Christian, anti religion ranks of the ACLU and similar groups who attempt to thwart the efforts of taxpayers using public property/government institutions to display an advocacy if their religion, primarily Christian. The hypocrisy is so evident most of us don’t even stop and take notice. So do these people really want to abolish government recognition of religion? No, they want their cake and to eat it too, as the saying goes. If they really wanted government out of regions’ harmful ways, they would be demanding that government offices, be open 7 days a week. After all, businesses are, with the elimination of the old “blue laws” 30 or more years ago that discretely prohibited commercial activity on Sunday. But what about state’s prohibiting the sale of liquor on Sunday? Why can’t I get a driver’s license on Sunday? No mail delivery? Civil and criminal courts? Police officer’s rotate Sunday duty, what gives judicial branch the right to not have to? Everything government seems to come to a screeching halt on Sunday. Smacks of religious overtones to me. 40-hour workweek you say? Come on; tell that to Wal-Mart, they operate 24/7 rotating employees. Is the ACLU actively suing any government agency/department for being closed on Sunday? I’m not aware of any. And don’t think these same people actually are thinking that it’s too expensive a proposition, they could care less about that. Didn’t matter when mandatory busing was imposed upon school districts that could ill afford it. Too damn bad they said, raise taxes. Nope, bottom line is the ACLU doesn’t want to risk favor with the many government employees and other’s who sympathize with their efforts, as well as the vast majority of workers in their own ranks, who have off every Sunday. That’s a day of rest. Hmmm. Where’d that come from?
Sad commentary, but, very true. Christians and Christianity are under constant attack in America today.
I recently asked my family and friends to take part in a little experiment. I asked all of them to wish everyone they interacted with, “Merry Christmas”. I also asked each one of them to note what response if any they received. What we all found was, very few returned the “Merry Christmas”. Of those that did return the “Merry Christmas” some only said “you too”. Why?
My own conclusion is they are scared. Many acted shocked to hear it. I noticed more physical reaction to the “Merry Christmas” than verbal. I live in Tulsa, Ok. We are the buckle of the Bible belt. Just a few years ago “Merry Christmas” was wished at every turn. Now it seems we are all looking over our shoulder. It is even worse in business communication. I made a point to end every phone call and email with “Merry Christmas”, guess what…not a single returned. The best I have received is “Happy Holidays”.
This country was founded and thrived on Christian Values. It’s decline is based on secularisim. Happy Holidays may seem pretty subtle, but, dropping Merry Christmas is forgeting Jesus’s birthday. I for one will not tolerate it.
I intend to have the Happiest of Holidays, but, I will do this by having a very Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the United States of America.
That is where we live isn’t it?