I’ve been noticing some disturbing articles in the news lately. They seem to always pop up around Christmastime when some individuals think it’s the best time of year to interpret the 1st Amendment incorrectly as freedom “from”religion, not freedom “of” religion. First there was the Climax Mine in Colorado that removed a lighted cross from the mill building where it has stood as a beacon at Christmastime since the 1930’s, and in spite of the outcry from the townspeople. The owners decided to instead choose something more secular, to be more “inclusive” of their employees. It’s little wonder that most of us have come to realize that “inclusive” is code for “excluding Christians”. Then there was the town in Indiana that was sued for placing a cross atop their city Christmas tree. Apparently one man in town contacted the ACLU about it, saying that he was “harmed” by having to look at that. Harmed was an interesting choice of words for a cross on top of a Christmas tree. Perhaps he really meant offended, but he couldn’t sue for damages, which he did, if he were just offended. Last night I saw a report on the news of a pentagram placed in a park in Boca Raton next to the nativity scene. The man who placed it there wouldn’t comment to the press about why, but in accordance with his 1st amendment rights he applied for a permit to do so, and it was granted. Good grief, Charlie Brown and Bah Humbug!
Let’s be clear here, Christmas is a Christian holiday. It is the day when Christians celebrate the birth of the Christ child, hence the name Christmas. Few Christians have ever said that you can’t celebrate Christmas if you’re not a Christian. That leaves room for Frosty, Rudolph, and Santa. And since we’re speaking of Santa, Santa is a caricature of St. Nicholaus, a 4th century saint known for protecting children and giving gifts. But, if you don’t need to be a Christian to celebrate Christmas, why do some people insist that Christians have to be “non-Christian” about the way they celebrate it?
Somehow the greeting of “Happy Holidays” has also come under attack, but this one by Christians themselves. I’m not perplexed by this, but I am bothered by it. I know that some people use “Happy Holidays” when wishing Christmas greetings to people they are not familiar with. Perhaps they are Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Atheist, Agnostic, or whatever. Most of us have a desire not to offend when wishing someone a greeting or happiness. What a lot of Christians have done, though is take this so far as to mean you are taking Christ out of Christmas. The word “Holiday” is derived from “Holy Day”, and Christmas is absolutely a holy day, so to say, happy holiday is not a secular greeting, even if you mean for it to be.
You see, the idea of stealing Christmas is impossible. The Grinch tried to do it. He thought that by stealing the presents and the trees he could make Christmas disappear, but in the morning, when all the Whos awoke, sure they were disappointed, but they still gathered, they still sang, for Christmas was in their hearts. The Grinches of this world can take down the crosses, can erect a pentagram, can ban nativity scenes from being erected in public parks, but on December 25th the sun will rise on Christmas, just like it did in Whoville, for wherever Christ is, there is Christmas.
So my friends, I wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. May Santa be good to you and Christ be your Light.
While a great deal of the United States is experiencing icebox temperatures, snow, and ice, Florida can’t make up its mind how it feels about December. A cold front passed through and dropped the temperature into the 50’s, but a few scant days later and we’re looking at the high 80’s. Warm for even the sunshine state, so if you need hot chocolate, a roaring fire, and falling snow to make it feel like Christmas you need to be somewhere else but here.
Close your eyes and listen to the music. Open your eyes and see the lights. Reach out to your neighbors, your friends, your family, a stranger…offer a smile, a handshake, a hug. Suddenly it feels like Christmas!
There seems to be two camps when it comes to the annual Christmas letter. One camp is decorated with festive lights and Christmas music can be heard playing in the streets. The annual Christmas letter is welcomed with anticipation and joy in their hearts. The other camp is dark, cold, and only dim fires can be seen burning, barely bright enough to ebb the creeping grip of winter. Audible groans can be heard when a brightly colored card, covered in glitter, is opened and the dreaded Christmas letter falls out!