1Peter 1:3-9 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”You may or may not have heard, or noticed the efforts of secular America to eliminate the phrase “Merry Christmas” and replace it with “Happy Holidays”. This conscious and concerted effort, in the name of “Political Correctness”, is being implemented to not offend the non-Christians, atheists and those of other world religions in this nation, who do not know or believe the Holy Scripture above and the Savior of the world sent by God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” One politician recently said that he believed that America was no longer a Christian Nation, as originally founded, acknowledged by the United States Supreme Court and known around the world, but now just a nation of citizens. For humanist sake, ignoring the truth of Christmas, John 3:17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” So the unholy campaign to remove the mention of God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost and the word “Christmas” has begun; to reject the gift of God.
Revelation 15:3-5 : They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “ Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.” After these things I looked, and behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened.
This scene of Heaven brings great joy to me, but not-so-much to those who hope & pray that this scene and judgment is not true. By expressing the phase “Happy Holidays” only, it is hoped that the meaning “a day of festive celebration for the season” is accomplished in the hearts and minds of Americans. It is acceptable to offend God, but not to offend man. Yet the word “holiday” gets its root from the word “holiness”, which means the quality of being consecrated to the worship of God; freedom from sin and the unswerving obedience to the Divine law. The holidays are essentially “holy days”, Happy Holy days! These holidays are (1) Thanksgiving Day – the day that we, in gratitude, give thanks & praise to God for His Providence to us, for everything is of God. (2) Christmas Day – the day that we, in gratitude, gives thanks and praise to God for sending His Son incarnate (God with us) to be our Lord and Savior. (3) New Year Day – the day that we, in gratitude, gives thanks and praise to God for a new year “2010 A.D.”, Anno Domini, a Latin phrase meaning "in the year of our Lord; The Lord Jesus Christ and the birth of Jesus Christ the dividing point of world history. The holidays are a celebration of the Grace of God; they are truly “Holy Days” to be celebrated. When someone says “Happy Holidays” to you this week, please be sure to say “Merry Christmas” back to them. Jesus is the reason for the season, and the Way, the truth and the Life for all.
Psalm 116:8 “For You, Lord, have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from falling.”
In Christ, Brian
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By Ministry News
While many Christian leaders campaign to keep Christ in Christmas by going after retailers who use the words "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas," a group of pastors are waging a different kind of culture war.
Rick McKinley, pastor of Imago Dei Community in Portland, Ore. came up with a radical idea to change the way their congregants celebrate Christmas. The group came up with a four-pronged approach to returning Christmas to its original purpose that involved worshipping fully, spending less, giving more and loving all-especially the "least of these." The church leaders urged members to bypass the typical overspending on gifts and maxing out credit cards, and instead focus on donating money to support humanitarian work and other worthwhile projects. "Christians get all bent out of shape over the fact that someone didn't say 'Merry Christmas' when I walked into the store," McKinley says. "But why are we expecting the store to tell our story? That's just ridiculous."
I believe that the commercialization of Christmas needs to be addressed by Christians on all fronts by disciples of Christ using their gifts and talents because this lost & dying world needs to hear of God sending His Son to Earth as a Child to grow and experience what we experience, to show us the model of a life lived in God's perfect will, way & word. God incarnate, our loving Lord, who is our Savior because He forgave our Sins and redeemed our souls by taking our place on the Cross to give all those who believe in Him eternal life. I do not expect the "perishing unbelievers" in the stores to tell God's story of forgiveness & salvation through the sacrifice of His Son, but the Lord commissions and expects us to (Matthew 28:16-20) and I do expect everyone to hear and know the reason for the season. McKinley's final statement (taken to the logical conclusion) encourages the silencing of Christians: the elimination of all Christian holidays, freedom of religion, crosses and public references to God or Christ. This is the exact opposite of “Bringing the whole Word to the whole world”.
Followers of Christ are to bring the Word of God (speaking the truth in love) to this world that is lost in sin. Philanthropy and benevolence is evangelism in action, but action without evangelism is fruitless, because the lost remain lost, and that is just ridiculous. What good is it for the lost to be given food, drink, clothes, housing, industry, healthcare, etc. and still have their souls destined for Hell - (Matthew 16:26)? America was great because America was a Christian nation and God's shed His grace of thee. Hearts need to be changed for Christ. People do not say "Merry Christmas" now because they do not know the gospel of Jesus Christ and God's plan of Salvation. It is not real to them, yet it is real ... no man comes to the Father except through Jesus. Why don't they know this? Tell the world about Jesus Christ, and be sure to say "Merry Christmas" because it wouldn't be merry or Christmas without the Christ Child (God with us). Brian
Your blogs have been just wonderful!! You always let us know who Jesus is and why He came....Just beautiful and so very powerful. Thank you for always being faithful with proclaiming God's Word. Merry Christmas!
Nancy
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