Yesterday my daughter came home from school telling me that she needed to have a gift bought for the gift exchange at her class Christmas party. Each year I struggle with the fact that so many people who are unbelievers, celebrate a Christian holiday. All year long I hear about how we can't pray and we can't talk about religion in school, leave God out of this and that because we are 'forcing' our beliefs on somebody who chooses not to believe. We are told that the Christmas tree should not be displayed here or there. In fact, this year, it has been said that somebody wanted to call the Christmas tree a holiday tree because it might be offensive to those who are not Christians! HELLO??????????????? What's wrong with this picture??????
A Christmas tree is called a Christmas tree because it is a tree decorated for the celebration of the holiday we call CHRISTMAS!!! It's not a Thanksgiving tree, or a fourth of July tree, or a New Years Day tree. So, why should it be called a holiday tree? It's a CHRISTMAS tree!!!
Why is Christmas called Christmas???? Christ....mas????
Christmas is a religious holiday celebrated by Christ...ians who are believers in ..........Christ! Imagine that! So, we set this time aside to celebrate the birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
It's so sad to see how we can so easily get away from what we are doing and why. I am just as guilty as the next person when it comes to shopping and stressing. You should see how horribly I am still stressing over a very bad haircut I recieved just before the big Christmas party! (Christians, pray for me!) But even more, it saddens me that non-believers criticize this holiday and how it is celebrated. Non-believers choose NOT to follow Christ. It is non-believers who against everything and anything that brings glory to God. It is non-believers who condone the murdering of babies, it is non-believers who try to keep God out of schools. It is non-believers who try to silence those who proclaim Christ as their Savior and Lord. It is non-believers who banned prayer from schools. Yet, how many non-believers have Christmas trees? How many have Christmas dinners and swap gifts at Christmas time? How many people display manger scenes in their yard at Christmas while they take His name in vain on a regular basis?
What really got me started on this is the fact that my daughter shared with me that a child in her class, who believes that Christmas should not be celebrated, and does not celebrate it, who tries to convince my child that it is wrong to celebrate Christmas.........is participating in the gift exchange for the Christmas party that she is going to participate in! Why? Because it's fun? Is this the reason that the non-believers in the world practice the tradition of Christmas? Is it because Santa Claus is so much fun? Is it because they love to get presents and have parties? Is it because of the lights and decorated "holiday" trees?
I remember before I was saved. I knew the baby Jesus was born and that's why Christmas is celebrated. But I didn't care about that. I just wanted lots of presents. I wanted that fellowship with my family (which excluded God). Yep, it's a time to eat, drink, and be merry! I remember my work Christmas parties........getting 'merry' at the bar and watching others do the same.........then bragging about it!!!!!!
I don't hold this against those who don't believe. I hold it against those of us who do. Why not send Christmas cards to those who we know are lost....and ask them...... Do you celebrate Jesus at Christmas? If not, then what ARE you celebrating? Make them think!
Christmas is a time to celebrate our Gift from God. We should celebrate it to bring glory to Him. I'm not saying that we shouldn't have a tree, or stop swapping gifts, I'm saying that we should do it in remembrance of Him. For those who don't believe, and choose not to accept Christ for Who He Is [Son of God, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel (which means God With Us), Savior of the World!] then maybe you should invent your own holiday and celebrate it the way you want. Have a holiday tree. Celebrate the fact that we have separation of church and state. If you want to worship Santa Claus and not Christ it is your freedom to do so. Celebrate pro -choice, and prayerless school systems. But declare your own day to celebrate and stop trying to change the way that Christians do.
Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus' birth. Christmas is a time to rejoice because of the Reason. Christians should rejoice freely and openly! Proclaim the good news of the Babe who was born to die for our redemption! Okay so maybe He wasn't born on December 25th....but, He was born and it is worth celebrating.......all year round especially at Christmas.
Non-believers who choose to celebrate xmas should celebrate xmas in their own time and in their own way. Don't try to change what Christians do. It's not Christmas if Christ isn't glorified in it. It's just a celebration of...whatever. And for all believers.. pray for the unbelievers ........ that they will soon be able to join us as we............ CELEBRATE! It's CHRISTmas!
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, He is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11
"That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment