I recently read a news story where government officials in Sonoma County, California had ordered that stars and other religious emblems be removed from Christmas trees in all government buildings within the county. They took this action following the complaint of a citizen that an angel atop a Christmas tree in the lobby of a county office was "extremely offensive" and part of the "cult" of Christianity. These sorts of stories are not new and seem to make the headlines more and more each year.
Public displays of manger scenes and other "Christmas symbols" may be forbidden and even private displays of the same may be frowned upon. Our government may offer a variety of "holiday stamps" to choose from as you send your "holiday greetings and gifts". In the religion of political correctness, many will wish you a "happy holidays" as they determine to not use that word, "Christmas" or that name, "Jesus".
But rejoice brothers and sisters in Christ! Try as some might, as the waters cannot be removed from the oceans, Christ can never be removed from Christmas! He is Christmas. The angelic announcement, Mary and Joseph, the virgin birth, the shepherds in the field, the manger scene, the wise men; these are forever truths of human history. Questioning or mocking these cannot detract from their truthfulness. Political correctness may rule the day but all men and governments are still subject to His rule. He is forever sovereign over the affairs of men.
Although futile in their efforts, these attempts to remove Christ from Christmas have their origin in the very purpose of His birth that we celebrate at Christmas. Sin. As recorded in Matthew 1:21, "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins". Salvation from sin was the purpose of His birth. There was and is, a necessity to be saved from sin. Sin is all around us. Sin is on every side. Look to the right or to the left and it will be there. It matters not if you look forwards or backwards, sin will be there. It is within and without. It may be subtle and overt, hidden or exposed.
But the story of Christmas is a story of salvation. It is the story of Emmanuel; God with us. God in a manger. In Luke's Gospel we read, "for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord". Salvation from sin. In Acts 4:12 Luke was also inspired to write, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.". The significance of the Christ of Christmas is seen here.
The story of Christmas will be told this year and next. It will be told worldwide and it will be told year round. This One who laid in a manger is the One through whom "all things came into being"; the One who holds together all things. He was "God with us". The baby, whose birth we celebrate, grew to become the man we are called to imitate. He is the "only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth".
As we observe a lost world continue to proclaim that there is "no room" for Him in their hearts, may this final thought cause us to pray and perhaps weep for them. The world can never remove Christ from Christmas but one day Christmas will be removed from the world. May we continue to boldly proclaim the Christmas story! "For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord". Merry Christmas! Yes, Merry Christmas.
1 comment:
Wonder what the word "Mas" means at the end of -Mas? For a church that has such a public disdain for Catholicism, as openly spoken from the pulpit, perhaps it relies on the Mother Church more than it cares to admit! Rock on MASS -- where the literal body and blood of Christ are manifest to those who would come to the church to receive them!
Protesters?! of what exactly?!
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