There is a surprising and disappointing trend developing in our society. Throughout the world, a tradition that many of us grew up practicing, is being censored.
"Well maybe he is talking about Christian persecution in third world countries," you think to yourself, "maybe he's talking about Jews not practicing Chanakuh in countries that have become dominated by the force of Islam."
Sadly, what I speak of, is occurring right here in our very own cities, homes and schools across the United States. The persecution and criminalization of Christmas---and what it represents.
Now before everyone launches into their whole soapbox about how Christmas is based on a pagan holiday, and Christians are just as bad as anyone else because they got their tradition from pagan roots, let me stop you. While it is historical accurate to say that the traditions of Christmas are very similar to a pagan holiday celebrating the god of the sun during the winter solstice, it is not accurate to say that Christians specifically took those traditions---added in some Jesus---and went on their way.
Christians in a world filled with pagan gods and goddesses were left with a holiday they could not rightfully participate in---after all, they knew the truth of Jesus' resurrection at this point--they knew they could have no other gods before the one true God and his Son Jesus the Christ.
So, even though no one can be sure when Jesus was actually born in history (Though some estimate between April and October based on the fact that shepards were still tending their sheep in fields during the Christmas story) Christians of this time decided to recognize and celebrate the birth of their Savior on December 25th--the same day the pagan religions were worshipping their sun god.
I'm sure many of you have been in situations where someone around you is celebrating something you cannot rightfully support. In these situations, rather than let your desire to celebrate be dictated by others, it would not be unreasonable to develop your own tradition--based on your view of what is right--to allow those of similar minds to come together and celebrate. There should be nothing wrong with this--- thus, the Christmas tradition is born.
Now that the disclosure is out of the way, allow me to get back to my point----
I would be willing to bet that 95% (and that's probably a converservative estimate) of my friends and family were raised celebrating Christmas. We all have sung "Hark the Herald Angels" and "Silent Night," and yet it is only in the last few years that these traditions are being questioned by the world at large. Sinatra sang Christmas carols and used the word "Christmas." Michael Buble currently sings "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" without censoring the word---whatever their affiliations may be (I don't know). If you were to look at many of our famous Christmas songs--their are Biblical roots throughout---and even the fun ones generally were written with the word Christmas.
-Imagine a joyful rendition of "oh holiday tree, oh holiday tree" or "we wish you a merry holiday season"--the tempo issues alone would be cause to not sing them that way
Why is it then that a second grader when asked to bring something to share for show and tell, is told she cannot bring her book about the Christmas story? Was she deliberately slamming her "religion" down another student's throat? I can see it now <Girl: teacher my favorite holiday book is the Christmas story about Jesus! Teacher: WHAAAAAAT! Did you just say "JESUS" in school---No show and tell for you!>
While this soup naziesque rendition of the story may not be exactly how it went down--it is likely something similar occurred. Out of the entire class, the Christian girl was the only student not allowed to share her book. Meanwhile, Jewish children shared about Chanakuh and other children shared about Santa and Kwanza and basically all other traditions. Why was the Christian story censored?
My theory is that persecuting and censoring Christians (even the young ones apparently) has become a popular societal pastime. I became aware of it as shows on television began to subtly poke fun at the faith. Gradually over time, it seems I couldn't find a single show on mainstream television that didn't have a "let's bash Christianity" episode--however subtly it may have been executed.
We are constantly exposed to ridicule by personalities like Bill Maher and Jon Stewart...even Colbert has jumped on the bash Christian bandwagon in recent years---(Though in his case it might be well executed sarcasm).
I have been listening to the messages of Pastor Paul Sheppard recently and I enjoyed a humorous explanation of how to deal with society censoring our "Christmas." In effect it was something like, "when you are in the workplace, you may very well have to wish everyone Happy Holidays--and avoid words like "Christmas," but as soon as that time card is punched, run into the streets wishing everyone around you a MERRY CHRISTMAS! They can censor you in the workplace..but nobody can tell me that I can't shout Merry Christmas on my street---that's my street!" Pastor Paul
His delivery was obviously much funnier--but you get the drift.
So what is it folks? I'm at a loss....why now? Why not when I was 5...or 10..who transitioned us into this hate the Christians and all the represent mentality? 1950s America at least left them alone even if they didn't acknowledge a particular faith
I may be wrong. I mean...this is more my concern for my children and their children. I have friends who have newborns--some who are due---what will their children grow up learning about? Santa only lasts for so many years before kids catch on. Jesus is a forever concept--the single greatest event in human history was the birth of the Lamb who would wash away the sin of the world.
Is it not fitting for Christians to stand boldly for their faith? The saints of the early church stood boldly in the face of persecution. At best right now our current Christians face ridicule and a slow destruction of traditions being able to be celebrated publicly---no threat of death for now. But couldn't that be the case 20 years from now? What's to say once the secular world does away with all semblance of the Christian faith that they wouldn't authorize people to persecute physically? Even the Bible says these times will come--though hopefully current believers will be spared the worst of it (Previous statement based on premillenial end times viewpoint*).
I don't like the censorship of my faith. I started this blog to avoid hurtful comments and be free to share what I truly and honestly feel--as opposed to the censored versions that Facebook forced--God forbid I offend someone with my "crazy religion." It doesn't help that most political figures claiming to be Christian take things way out of context and come off as just as bad as non-Christians.
To all my Christian brethren---may we stand boldly in the face of persecution! May we never forget that we are not of this world--we have a greater purpose in this world than to just live and go with society's flow. Let them take the ten commandments out of public spaces---let the schools tell Christian children they cannot present their stories---does this not seem ridiculous. Who is it hurting?
"well my daughter should not be exposed to other religions when she leaves the home--I'd hate for her to become one of those Christian people." Umm...didn't I used to recite the Lord's prayer in second grade---pretty sure any of my classmates at Hilldale from that time would tell you they had NO issue with this---it was common practice. Now if you say the word Christ I imagine a team of school security guards escorts you off the premises until you agree to not use such naughty words (sarcasm included for humorous effect)
The atheist religion (because at this point that's what it has become) is filling the secular world's minds with as much anti-Christian propaganda as they can---but do they persecute the Jews? Of course not--they'd be considered Nazis. I doubt they believe any more in the God of the Jewish Old Testament--since He is in fact the same God throughout the Christian New Testament--and Christ and Holy Spirit 3 in 1. Yet they focus on bringing down the Christian faith---tearing down any mention of it in public society!
Don't get me wrong, there are some bad eggs out there. I will be the first to say i'm not proud of some people who have claimed to be Christians---heck I'm not proud of myself half the time. But Christ will handle the hypocrites when the time comes---it is not our place.
"Oh I just can't go to church because it's all hypocrites and I can't stand seeing people there worshipping that were out partying the night before.." SO? Is it your place to determine who comes to worship---did it not occur that maybe they are there because deep down they regret their constant partying?...and even if they don't---aren't you all the same people saying "don't judge." A Biblical concept knocked out of context if ever there was one!
But isn't the point that we are covered by the blood of Christ--that our sins are wiped clean if we only repent and accept Him as Lord in our lives? The hypocrites and the ones who don't realize they are hypocrites--and you and me and everyone is just as sinful as the sinniest sinner (new words) out there---ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God---not just the people who partied the night before church.
This Christmas season---when you are able---say Merry Christmas!---Spell the word out---Teach the children that we as Christians choose this as our day to celebrate the birth of our Savior (Regardless of his actual birth date). Don't be afraid of our past---many of us were raised in Christian homes---why let society force us to turn away from our fond memories--from our faith! Don't be offended by a word---if you don't like Christmas--feel free to work---last I Checked there was not a "winter day off" scheduled for December 25th...my calendar says Christmas Day---and I hope it will continue to say it--from this year and beyond!
Keep the "Christ" in Christmas---after all---it was his sacrifice that made the day worth remembering---call on Him--He will answer---And you too can have life and that more abundantly in Christ Jesus this season!
If you haven't yet been ready to commit your life to Christ--let the below prayer be a guideline---there is no shame in the word "Saved"
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this it not of yourselves, it is the gift of God-Not of works lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-10
*Salvation prayer*- Lord, I know I am a sinner---I know that I cannot possibly meet the requirements of your Holy nature by my own works. My list of works are nothing without the precious blood of Your Son. I invite you into my life Jesus--let my every thought and action be to further Your name. Save me from my sinful nature---redeem me with Your precious blood. Thank you for your sacrifice so that I may be forgiven---of all sins---you know my heart--please come into it and guide me in your will for my life. In Jesus' name I pray----AMEN!
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