Christmas is Not The Issue
Published: December 2005
Much has been said this season about the attack against "Christmas". It seems that political correctness has gone over the edge and now borders on the ridiculous. While 69% of Americans this month still prefer to greet people during the holiday with the traditional "Merry Christmas", there has developed a small, vocal, media-backed minority who believe that people are offended by the religious overtones of this special day. They have negatively affected retail stores, schools, businesses and even houses of worship.
The real issue behind this hostility is not Christmas. There is something else far more important.
Most of us as believers, recognize that Christmas is not a biblical holiday or a celebration that is required in Scripture. It is, of course, an event we cherish and appreciate as we celebrate the birth of Christ but we cannot fight a moral battle for the celebration of Christmas. It is not a biblical absolute. It is not an event listed in the Scritpures as one of the feasts of Israel or the traditions of the early church.
While we may not launch a legal or moral campaign to guard Christmas, we can nevertheless fight for truth, for Christ, and for moral principle. The issue in today's debate about religion is not about Christmas, it is about Christ! The furor over the concept of Christmas is a growing hatred for Christ. Those who are offended by the "stone of stumbling" are those who do not want to acknowledge the reality of Christ, of Jesus of Nazareth, of there being any Person who represents a salvation which they cannot control.
They are offended by the demands of Christ. They are offended that He said he was the only "way" to God. They are offended that He offers forgiveness for sin- a human state which they deny. They are offended by something they do not understand- that there is a supernatural power and authority represented by Jesus Christ- an authority to which they refuse to submit!
The real issue is the anti-Christ spirit. The Bible warns us about this spirit that will prevail in the last days. Many of the opponents of Christmas are not anti-religion- they are just anti-Christ! They don't object to other kinds of holiday celebrations, simply the ones that relate to Christ. They hate Christ-mas because they hate the Christ it represents. They hated Jesus when He was here in person. They hate him still, and they will hate those who represent Him. Christ and Christianity is a threat to a way of life- the refusal to acknowledge absolute morality, right and wrong.
There are people who slowly want to remove Christmas and any Christ centered religious symbols icon from our society. Even recently, scriptures that had been inscribed on National monuments in Washington DC were attempted to be removed and sandblasted until the plan was exposed and stopped by some God fearing leaders on Capitol Hill. Florida Governor Jeb Bush recently selected the "Chronicles of Narnia" as his recommended reading for children this year and some groups were up in arms because of the book's Christ centered overtones. One mid-west school district refused to use the word Christmas or allow any Christmas carols in their holiday celebrations but included the holidays of other religions and cultures and even a holiday witch.
We certainly can appeal to our heritage as a nation and fight to preserve the religious freedoms we enjoy. We can constitutionally take a stand for the free exercise of religion as Christians in a culture that has long embraced it. But every believer should have a deeper sense of discernment to perceive what's really going on behind the headlines and the cultural war. This is not just about Christmas. It is about Christ.
And Christmas on a Sunday?
While some influential churches around America have taken an unusual step this year by canceling Sunday services on December 25th, others believe that this is exactly when we should have church- and especially in light of the skirmish over "Christmas" this particular season.
Let's invite our pre-saved friends to come with us- to the House of God on Christmas day and celebrate the birth of the Only Saviour! It is His birthday celebration after all. Are there suggestions for family members who might not understand? Sure!
- Come to the early service before your family time
- Invite and bring your family to a our happy Christ centered service- then celebrate together afterward
- For those who won't go to church- just tell them "we'll be right back- just going to church to honor the Lord"
- Tell family that you want to spend part of Christmas with your Pastors (and your spiritual family as well)!
Oh and by the way, tell everyone you see "Merry Christmas!"