Keep Christ in Christmas

Dr. James Dobson addressed an issue tonight on "Focus on the Family" that has sadly become a topic of much debate and the source of most conflict this time of year. He discussed how several public schools, institutions, and work places all over the country are trying as hard as possible to eliminate God and Jesus Christ from the Christmas holiday. It ranges from simply not mentioning them to threatening legal action if the request is defied.

An elementary school in California issued a document to its entire teaching and administrative staff banning the mention of and reference to Jesus among themselves. A six-year old child got into trouble with his teacher, his principal, and the school superintendent for handing out a Christmas card that mentioned Jesus to one of his friends. A high school band in Chicago was barred from performing any music this year having anything to do with the Christmas Story, Jesus, or any sort of religious connotation. The state capital in Wisconsin goes so far as to issue an attack against Christianity by publicly claiming religion to be nothing more than a fantastical myth.

Is there a problem here? You'd better believe there's a problem.

But why is it still happening, and in fact getting progressively worse every year? The problem is that more and more, people are being intensely persuaded to conform to the standards of political correctness. Abide by what is socially acceptable and avoid coming off as being intolerant of others. We see these standards in public schools where teachers embrace the concepts of values clarification, affective education and multiculturalism. In reality, these are kinder ways of saying the Christian doctrine is wrong and that these "mentally sick" children must be educated to renounce the beliefs "programmed" into them, and to properly adapt them for society.

But why Christianity? Why Christmas? Why Jesus Christ? How could someone have it in himself to willingly deprive another person of something that he treasures so dearly in his heart? Why can't they understand? Why won't they at least try to understand?

Jesus must have been thinking the same thing 2000 years ago, when he addressed the disciples' lack of faith in trying to drive a demon from a boy in Matthew 17:17. "O unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you?" This was sheer exasperation on Jesus' behalf. He had given them the Sermon on the Mount, teaching in parables, going all throughout the synagogues, and the disciples had followed him during these teachings. And they still didn't get it. They still thought their own methods could work.

The truth was right there in front of them, in the Living Flesh. Yet they still wouldn't understand. We have the Word of God at our disposal today, and we are surrounded by the beauty of God's creation. Yet there are still people who turn a deaf ear. There are people who prize themselves as self-appointed champions of wisdom and righteousness, who believe a politically correct society has no room for religious faith. They eagerly point to the separation of church and state as a prop for their arguments, and the First Amendment for their right to protest.

Unbelievable. Nothing has changed today. Faith is still the missing piece of the puzzle. The world demands proof, but God calls us to have faith. Why is that such an issue, especially during the Christmas holiday when the call for faith in our Lord and Savior should be at its zenith?

In fact, the division isn't as sharp as these radical liberalists make it out to be. According to a recent Gallup poll, 98% of Americans support the Christmas holiday, religion and all. Now, it should be pointed out that not all of these people are Christians, but the point is, where's the overwhelming majority seeking to ban the spread of the Christmas message throughout the country? The support certainly seems to be on the other side, if you ask me.

According to these people, I'm being intolerant if I wish someone a "Merry Christmas" or say "Jesus loves you." They would say sending a message with that kind of overtone is wrong. Please. Their own argument is inherently flawed and in itself a paradox. I wonder if it bothers them in the least that they're being intolerant of my views? They claim to be advocates of the First Amendment that guarantees free speech until someone disagrees with them! Furthermore, some of the examples I made earlier would support, in keeping with multiculturalism, ideas and symbols such as Hannukah and the menorah being publicized in schools and other institutions as part of the educational process? Pardon me, but aren't they also symbols of religion, the same so-called "myth" that they're trying so hard to eliminate from the minds of children? How would you justify that? Hey, you might as well go so far as to say I can't hand out candy canes to friends if you know what the original meaning of the candy cane is!

Separation of church and state? Correct me if I'm wrong, but this clause was NOT originally a part of the United States Constitution. Those who claim otherwise need to go back and re-read their U.S. history texts. At the time of the Constitution's proposal and ratification, several states among the original 13 colonies openly practiced their own distinct religions. Not to mention the fact that the thesis of the document, according to Thomas Jefferson, is that we are a nation "governed by Our Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." You have to wonder if Jefferson would get his head bitten off today if he said that.

A popular talk show host made this suggestion on Dr. Dobson's broadcast that I would just love to see happen. In referring to one of those schools that doesn't allow the performing of Christmas carols promoting the spread of Christ, he suggests that the band have an interlude during the production where they all stand up and start singing "Silent Night." They would invite anyone in the audience who wants to sing join them. In theory, one has to admit this would invoke a huge response. Frankly, I'd be surprised if 90% of the audience wasn't standing and singing by that point. Now, what are they going to do? Expel the entire band? Rush into that auditorium and terminate the production on the spot? What are they going to do? "You're outta here! How dare you sing Silent Night! How dare you publicly promote religion in here! How dare you..." How utterly ridiculous does this sound?

That's how Dr. Dobson characterizes this: it's ridiculous and unacceptable the lengths people have gone to deny and squelch the spread of the meaning of Christmas throughout the American society. I am proud of him for the things he has done to outright oppose such actions as these through boycotts and public speeches. That's how we as Christians should respond. God doesn't want us to keep quiet and go with the flow when His truth is attacked, be it subtle or blatant. Jesus had to be on his guard all throughout his earthly ministry against attacks from the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. He confronted them in public, stood them down, and told them to their face that their philosophy of life was empty, bankrupt. And we are called to follow his example.

I hope anyone who reads this will take God's words to heart. It's not my message, it's not my call to action. It's God's, and I give Him all the credit and all the glory for it. Look for ways to keep the true meaning of Christmas present in the home, the school, work, business, wherever you are. Don't just ignore something you know in your heart to be wrong based on political correctness. Keep Christ in Christmas this year, and the years to come.

Song of the Day: Point of Grace - "O Holy Night"

Verse of the Day: "For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right by all her children." - Luke 7:33-35