For some people this is an exciting time of the year. They love the wrapping paper, bows, boxes, presents, cookies, candies, and pies. Some people just can’t wait to start trimming their trees and putting up Christmas lights in their house, in their windows, around their landscaping… and they might even wrap their mailbox in lights or even the family pet! I hope not on that last one. Just wanted to make sure you were paying attention. Christmas is a great time of the year.
Many people love to hear Christmas songs and carols in every store and on every radio station. They get excited when they see Rudolph, Frosty, and Santa Claus decorations. They filled their yard with inflatable decorations and put wreaths on their doors and even mistletoe, hoping for a kiss. It’s a time for hot chocolate, fruitcake, gingerbread houses and eggnog by the fireplace. We break out the Christmas cards, the photo albums and the handmade ornaments passed down generation to generation. Who doesn’t love Christmas?!?
You might be surprised to know that there are some people this time of year that are more like the Grinch, Ebenezer Scrooge (A Christmas Carol), Old Man Marley (Home Alone) or Mr. Potter (It’s A Wonderful Life). These people might remind you of the Cranks in the book “Skipping Christmas” by John Grisham. They made a movie based on that book called “Christmas with the Cranks.”
I’m not sure why some people hate Christmas, but I think it could be traced to about three different reasons: 1) they were trained from birth hate Christmas, 2) they were raised in poverty and watched other children receive gifts, while they had very little, 3) their religion prevents them from keeping the Christmas holiday. There may be other reasons why, but I think those three basically summarize the issue at hand. One such group, that hates Christmas, has been led by a secular religion we call atheism. Many of them hate Christmas because they hate Christians. Did you know that American Atheist organizations will spend millions to put up anti-Christmas signs, run negative ads, and continue to wage a war against Christmas? They want you to say Happy Holidays, stop caroling, rename your tree a Holiday tree, and exchange CHRISTmas for X-mas. That may not bother you, but that bothers me. For the past few decades there’s been a war on religious holidays, but especially on Christmas. Because Christ’s name is in the holiday.
Centuries before you and I were born, Christians were singing about Christ’s birth and celebrating the day. It is widely believed that the date of December 25 seems unlikely to be the actual day. However, since the establishment of the Lord’s church believers have gathered together to praise the Lord for sending His only begotten Son to this earth. The apostle Paul echoes a creed of early Christians that stated: “He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory” (I Timothy 3:16 - ESV).
Since I was a child I have heard preachers say, “We don’t need a holiday to remind us that Jesus was born (Christmas) or that Jesus resurrected (Easter).” My response: “Don’t we?” I praise God everyday that I live in a nation that once prided itself on Christian principles. However, one day, maybe in the not-so-distant future, these freedoms will be gone. Our nation has taken the Ten Commandments out of the courtroom, prayer out of the classroom, and God’s name out of the pledge. Maybe we should take a stand before they take the name of Christ out of Christmas.
Whether you agree or disagree with whether or not we should celebrate Christmas or Easter, maybe you should think twice about your stance. Would you sign a petition along with Jews, Muslims, and atheists to remove Christian influenced holidays from the calendar? Think about it. What would that say about you? These “holy” days may be all that remain of a once Christian nation. These special events may be the only days that could draw your children or grandchildren back to God in the future.
We need to heed the advice of the apostle Paul. In Romans 14:5-6 he says, “Some think that one day is more important than another, and others think that every day is the same. Let all be sure in their own mind. Those who think one day is more important than other days are doing that for the Lord. (NCV)” Paul was dealing with this issue back in his day. The solution: leave people alone, don’t harass people about the calendar, and don't worry about so-called holy days! “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17 - ESV). If you don’t stand for the “mass” at least stand for the “Christ!” Don’t be an anti-Christ at Christmas! Let’s enjoy this season together. Have a great week!
You are loved.
Dr. Ray Reynolds
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