"It is no longer a question of What Is True"
Television and Shock Jock Journalism takes care of that.
The Question is:
"What Do You Believe Knowing Jesus is Coming"
How should Christians respond to the "War on Christmas"?
Question: "How should Christians respond to the "War on Christmas"?"
Answer: Many people perceive that there is a concerted effort to eliminate the word “Christmas” from public discourse—sort of a “war on Christmas.” The stories seem to be coming more frequently: a grade-school choir sings “We Wish You a Happy Holiday” instead of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” for their “Winter Concert.” A library invites “holiday displays” from the community provided the displays have no religious connotation—the stable may have animals in it, but no people. It is possible to do all one’s Christmas shopping and never see or hear the word “Christmas” in the stores.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with saying “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings.” But if someone says “Happy Holidays” for the sole purpose of not saying “Merry Christmas,” then we are right to question what’s going on. “Why is the word Christmas censored?” we wonder as we wander through the malls. Why do some public schools celebrate everything from Kwanzaa to Labafana the Christmas witch, and ban the Nativity, all in the name of “inclusion” and “tolerance”?
One reason put forward by those seeking to avoid the word Christmas is that it would offend non-Christians. But, according to a recent Gallup poll, only 3 percent of adults in America say it bothers them when a store makes specific reference to Christmas. The exclusion of Christmas, then, is not really a way to “adapt” to a more diverse culture, but a way to engineer a more secular culture.
Many times, the arguments against Christmas programs and displays are couched in political terms, but the bias against Christmas goes much deeper than that. This is primarily a spiritual battle, not a political one.
How should Christians respond to the ubiquitous use of “Happy Holidays” and the exclusion of Christmas? Here are some suggestions:
1) Celebrate Christmas! Let the joy of the season show in your life. Teach your family the significance of Jesus’ birth and make the Christmas traditions meaningful in your home.
2) Wish others a Merry Christmas. When confronted with a “Happy Holidays,” get specific, and wish the greeter a “Merry Christmas!” You may be surprised at how many respond in kind. Even if you’re met with resistance, don’t let it dampen your cheer. Ebenezer Scrooge’s nephew was rebuffed year after year, but it never stopped him from wishing his humbug of an uncle a Merry Christmas and inviting him to Christmas dinner.
3) Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). The Christmas season is a wonderful opportunity to share Christ’s love and the gospel message. He is the reason for the season!
4) Pray for those in positions of power (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Pray for wisdom. Pray for revival so that Christmas, instead of being “offensive,” would be honored by all.
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What we Celebrate determines How we Celebrate.
If you are celebrating a "Season of Joy" or a commemoration of the Good News the angels declared to the World that Jesus is born in the City of David. That is Christ-Mass.
Celebrate it.
If you are buying Trees and decorating them, stringing tinsel and enjoying family traditions by strengthening family ties in demonstrations of love as presents; Enjoy your Christmas for what you bring to others.
The Fact is you get what you want out of the season.
If you go into debt over thinking a present will buy you love,
or make a person happy because of a present,
you are deceiving yourself.
And you know it.
You make or break the "Christmas Spirit" by how you are, how you react, and how you choose to Celebrate or Denigrate others for enjoying a time they choose to Observe a Season.
You can enjoy this time of the year
If you choose to.
The fact of Jesus Coming Again means this in light of His Return.
You may never have another Christmas.
Make it a good one, it may be your last.
