Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I
proclaim to you. Acts 17:23
Everywhere I turn, it’s
beginning to look more like Christmas. Carols are humming over the airwaves,
stores are decked in red and green, and Santa and his elves can be seen peering
around every corner. As a Christ follower, this is the season I celebrate His
birth. It’s the time when the God of creation stepped into the world and
divided time…B.C from A.D. It doesn’t matter that scholars are renaming the
divide, it can’t be argued who initiated it.
It’s also a time of
unprecedented political correctness. It’s no longer Merry Christmas. Instead a
chorus of Happy Holidays fills the air. Schools aren’t out for Christmas, but
close for winter break. It’s not inclusive enough to have a Christmas party—only
generalized holiday themed celebrations are lauded for their open-mindedness.
Christmas, it’s argued, is only for Christians. It’s too exclusive, and leaves
people on the outside of the fun.
Everyone seems to have
forgotten God came to save the world—the entire world. I don’t think it can get
more inclusive than that.
So this year I’ll be unashamed
as I remind everyone I meet that they are included in Christmas. The message
isn’t one of exclusivity, but one of love. It’s the season of God’s
outstretched arms, encircling a cold world in His loving embrace, through the birth of a baby.
God wants everyone saved, but not everyone is willing to accept His Way. Thank you for this wise post as this season begins.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Janice
I love your attitude. A very merry Christmas to you and yours. I'm going to make it a point to wish all those I see a wonderful Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI was blessed 2 years ago to work at a retail establishment that allowed us to say "Merry Christmas" and boy did I ever! Even if a customer said "Happy Holidays" or something similar, I said "Merry Christmas" because that is what the holiday is no matter how people try to ignore, change, or distort it, we celebrate this holiday because of the birth of God's one and only Son!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Edie! I live to say Merry Christmas whether others recognize the reason we celebrate or not. Their unbelief does not diminish my faith nor my Savior's birth.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Edie!
Hugs,
Glenda
This bugs me, too, Edie. What are people so afraid of? Saying Merry Christmas is not declaring that one is or is not a Christian at all. Our actions, much more than our words, make that declaration for us.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Edie!
I couldn't agree more, Edie. Political correctness is always changing and I, for one, want to live by what, Who, never changes--and that's Jesus. Merry Christmas everyone!
ReplyDelete