II Corinthians 10:5

"Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."

December 24, 2008

Christmas Clash

From FOXNews.com:

“All right. It's the season now for disputes over holiday displays. From Olympia, Washington, there is this now. A group of atheists putting up an anti-religious sign at the state Capitol right next to the nativity scene and a Christmas tree.
Here's what the sign says. It says, quote, ‘There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens our hearts and enslaves our minds.’”

In my head, I’ve been debating over what to think about the politically correct efforts being made that try to take Christ out of Christmas. On one hand, it is very annoying to see and hear Christmas reduced to nothing more than a Christ-less, materialistic, Santa, reindeer, and jingle bells filled “happy holiday.” Nevertheless, no matter how annoying this may be, I have come to the conclusion that we, as Christians should not put our focus into fighting these skirmishes, but be neutral instead and focus on the bigger war that is waging,

My first reason for holding this view is:
What good will it do? If we focus on trying to fight and win battles over the recognition of Christmas(like getting stores to say “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays”, or trying to get the signs like that in the WA capital removed, etc.) will it lead more people to understand and honor the real reason we celebrate Christmas? I don't think so. In order for people to truly understand/honor Christmas, a change in heart is necessary- a change that only happens when Christ is allowed into a life. Does fighting for the recognition of Christmas truly change the hearts of people? Laws, ordinances, or legal battles have never changed formerly held beliefs. Consider the words of John MacArthur: “We can’t protect or expand the cause of Christ by human political and social activism, no matter how great or sincere the efforts. Ours is a spiritual battle waged against worldly ideologies and dogmas against Christ.” So why should we fret and put our efforts into these fights over Christmas, if they wont change hearts? What good will it have done if people or groups go through life saying “Merry Christmas”, instead of “Happy Holidays”, or recognize “Christmas break”, instead of “Winter Solstice break” yet still don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

Secondly:
Just because someone doesn’t want to recognize Christmas doesn’t change the fact that I still can and will recognize and celebrate it. Why would anyone’s view change how I celebrate the coming of the true Messiah (Jesus Christ, not Obama). In The Christmas Carol, Scrooge says, “Keep Christmas in your own way, and let me keep it in mine.” In other words, you can keep your “holiday” in your way, and I’ll keep it my way. No one or no law can ever take that away from me. I like how Paul puts it in Romans,
“One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.” Romans 14:5-6
Who cares what others want to do to the blessed holiday, when I can always still celebrate Christmas unto the Lord.
What do you think?

BTW: thanks to all who took the time to vote on our poll! Just in case anyone is thinking that I was that lone neutral voter, I didn’t actually vote ;)

Wishing all a very merry Christmas!

Daniel Wanschura

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Daniel.
I knew It wasn't such a good thing to join forces formally in arguing or fighting (with the tools we have "rightfully" got) about it.....but I didn't take the time or make the effort to clearly bring out the words to say why. You've done well. :)

Merry Christmas to you, and your sister, and all your family, too! :)
--Mrs. Sands

Anonymous said...

I agree. To force someone to believe or recognize something other than to keep law and order is tyranny. A word to the athiests: keep their religion to themselves.

Anonymous said...

I agree, if we justify trying to stop the athiests from promoting "happy holidays" because we think it's offensive, we are justifying the athiests' quest to stop us from sticking to "merry christmas" because they think it's offensive. there is no fundemential distinction between the objective or the reason. I also think that eliminating phrases like "happy holidays" or "winter solstice break" and so on would not only be nearly impossible, but also pointless. The phrases that we use to greet each other, do not reflect or determine what is in our hearts, and being forced to do something so petty as to use a certain greeting would only breed resentment between those who disagree and those who faught to put the mandate there in the first place--Christians. If you are to fight this, fight it at the root.

JD the piano man

Anonymous said...

I think you are right on, Dan. The world is going to be the world, and God has not called Christians to try to purify the outward actions of this corrupt world. Indeed, they must be converted. But like you said, it's a heart issue.

Also, looking at this from a different angle, could trying to take down signs, and attempting to change the world produce false converts?

gatewaytoadream said...

Great article! I think you hit the nail right on the head. Using politics and intellectual arguments will only produce hatred and tyranny. The only way it will happen is a a change of heart.
However, this may leave only two options; let every religion be allowed to put up their own public signs and displays, causing chaos, or, take every religous icon out of the public sector. Which is a better option? And should Christians stand by and do nothing?

Merry CHRISTmas! (Even though it's past :)

Anonymous said...

I think that it boils down to this. Conservatives, which obviously include most Christians have lost the will to fight for anything anymore. We are content with letting liberals and the liberal media define our country, and what are country is based on. All too often we Christians walk away from anything that may turn into a heated debate or verbal confrontation because we don't have the stomach for it. This nation was founded on Christian beliefs and ideals. Liberals and secularists cant seem to handel that and have infiltrated everything in this country from schools to tv. We have become content with our lives. Its time to re-engage people, or kiss the country you once knew goodbye. Brian W