December 2002

Happy Holydays

            It is amazing that America has taken Christmas and turned it into a secular holiday.  The holy day, now a holiday.  We have secularized the sacred.  So now we have Christmas cards with no mention of Christ, Christmas programs with no songs referring to Christ, and Christmas displays without the presence of Christ.  In fact, it has become illegal to have a nativity of his birth in public Christmas displays.  There is an embarrassed hush when his Name is mentioned.  How far we have come! 

            Imagine it!  The Hope of the world dismissed as an unwelcome guest.  But, have no fear.  It was the same 2000 years ago.  Viewed as unimportant and irrelevant — this poor child of a Hebrew peasant girl who was pregnant out of wedlock.  Hated and taken for a heretic, the religious leaders tried to stone him.  The government sought to destroy him, and finally succeeded in crucifying him.  There was no room for him on that first Christmas, just as there are those who refuse to make room for him today.  Yet, no one has affected history more, and no one begins to affect the lives of people for good as does Jesus Christ today. 

Before his death, my father wrote a Christmas poem that went like this:
There is nothing wrong with a gayly decorated Christmas tree,
And old Santa Claus is filled with merriment and glee.
I guess we should shop, buy a lot and be proud
According to the TV commercials, that are so loud.
But I don’t hear much about the birth of Christ.
There is nothing wrong with baking cookies and pies,
And buying brothers and uncles and everyone ties.
I guess the bars and liquor stores are doing big business this season,
Their billboard and newspaper ads must be the reason.
But I don’t hear much about the birth of Christ.
There is nothing wrong with the huge crowds at the shopping centers
And on the parking lot the poor unfortunate fender denters.
I guess the office party is this week.
The bulletin board said, “Come one, come all, the strong and the meek.”
But I don’t hear much about the birth of Christ.
There is nothing wrong with the Christmas music played everywhere
And big toy displays that make the kids stare.
I guess I had better buy Aunt Betty something, whether she needs it or not.
The radio says that if I don’t she will hate me a lot.
But I don’t hear much about the birth of Christ.
There is nothing wrong with the true Christmas look,
And you can find for yourself, proof in the Book.
I guess I’m just wondering, what it’s all about.
In the early days people did it differently, no doubt.
They heard a lot about the birth of Christ.

Wanting to hear more,

Rod