THE REAL WAR ON CHRISTMAS
12/2/05
There is much talk these days of a "war on Christmas." A couple large retailers have banned the word "Christmas" from their marketing, and many folks are upset about it, sounding the alarm and crying out that Christmas is under attack.
Of course, we know why these retailers have made their choice. They want our money. They don't want to offend us by greeting us with "Happy Kwanza" (the invented holiday), because they want our money. They don't want to chance offending the Jew by wishing them a "Merry Christmas," because they want their money. Their motivation is mostly financial. They would have done it decades ago if they thought that they could get away with it.
But it's both sad and somewhat amusing to watch folks beat their chest and wax solemn today about the fact that a couple of profit-motivated corporations have dropped the word "Christmas" and substituted "holiday." More
Christians have been sucked into the hype and materialism of the Pagan Christmas. Am I getting too critical? I don't think it's possible this time of year. How often do you think of what happened that night nearly 2000 years ago when that young teenaged girl gave birth to our Savior? Do you think about it while you are fighting for this years top picked gift?
Christians getting upset about Target and other retailers not using the word Christmas really have issues. The retailers are in it for the money. Flat out.
Both myself and my mother worked for a Furniture company owned by a Jewish Family. They have been around since the early 80s, and not once have they had anything Christmas in their building. So, does that mean we shouldn't have worked for them and shouldn't have bought furniture there? No, we respected the fact that they were Jewish and they respected us being Christians. Why do I bring this up? Becasue more than likely most of the CEO's of the companies that are banning the word Christmas from their advertising scheme, are more than likely no Christian.
I also find myself with a bad taste in my mouth about the critizism that President George W. Bush is getting about the Holiday Card this year. He is geting bombarded becasue he isn't using the phrase Merry Christmas on the card but yet used scripture from Psalms on it. My opinon on the case of the President, he has always tried to welcome everybody and not attacked anybody. Now this my be a fault or an advantage. Plus, it is the holiday season. You have THanksgiving, then St. Nicholas Day, then Christmas Day, Kwanza, and Hanakah. Not to mention then there is also New Years and Ephiphany.
Christmas to most is one day, to me it is the season. I try to celebrate Christmas everyday of the year because I know that had Christmas never happened, then neither would have Easter.
6 comments:
Very well stated.
The "War on Christmas" slogan that has popped up in some Christian circles has me quite concerned because I wonder if it is another one of those causes that will make Christians look foolish?
Let's work harder to live a life representative of Christ daily and not get so belligerent and/or confrontational about the Christmas season!
Faith, you will be missed on our email group! Please come back soon.
Michelle
I wonder if we Christians will ever get around to standing up for Christ openly instead of simply backing away to avoid conflict? I don't remember Jesus simply shaking his head and saying the money lenders in the Temple were doing what they believed. He overturned their tables and chased them out of the Temple with a whip.
Now I know I am about to blasted by folks saying this "War on Christmas" is nothing like what happened in the Temple, but when do we, as Christians, begin to stand up for the REAL reason for this season? As our Lord said, "the path is narrow, and there are few who will follow it."
You go, girl!
I haven't seen much this year that I would want to attach Christ's name to. I honestly don't think He's upset to have his name taken off of the advertisements for greed and overindulgence. Why are we?
December 25th is NOT Jesus's birthday. To be a Christian is to be Christ like and never once in the bible did Jesus celebrate his birthday, the exact day is a mystery. (I wonder why?)But he did, in great detail, celebrate the passover and asked in his final one with the apostles to "keep doing this in rememberance of me", Luke 22:19. The memorial of his death on Nisan 14 is what he asked us to remember. It was his death that paid the ransom for each and everyone of us. That is what we are commanded to remember and mediate on each and every year. Not a man made holiday that has absolutely nothing to do with him. Jesus is a ruling king in heaven, not a helpless baby in a manger.
Ask yourself how you would feel if your husband wished you a happy anniversay during a month you were not even married in?
anonymous, You are correct that December 25th is probably not the day that Jesus was brought into this world. However, my family celebrates the birth of Christ. The reason this is done is because if it weren't for His birth, His death would never have happened.
Based on what you have said I will assume that you don't celebrate your birthday or your children's birthdays if you have any. The Bible does not contain absolutely everything that Jesus Christ did from His birth until His death.
John 21:25 - And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
Regardless, celebrating the BIRTH of JESUS CHRIST is not a sin, no more than celebrating His RESURECCTION. I don't celebrate Jesus' death because He is not dead, He conquered death.
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