It’s About CHRISTMAS

It’s that time of year again…time to pour over favorite recipe books in preparation for family feasts, dust off the address book to send out colorful cards, break out the festive decorations, and fire up…the debate concerning which retailers use the word CHRISTMAS in their advertising.     

As predictable as excessive lights on the Griswald’s lawn, every year those among the politically correct step up to sing their own “holiday” tune.  They try to tell Christians that we should forgo the Christmas theme and embrace a more “inclusive spirit” by celebrating “Winter Holidays”.  Even worse, they attempt to shame us if we don’t.

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m all for inclusion…especially the inclusion of the 24,000,000+ Americans who still openly celebrate Christmas. 

Recently I was reading an article which included a list of stores considered not Christmas-friendly and those that are.  Comments following the article indicated most readers were appreciative of the efforts of this particular organization to let consumers know whether stores were “Naughty or Nice.”

But as I read on, I came across a notably dissenting quote from an anonymous individual…

“This sounds like a hate group!!  … How can you ask a company to single out other religions?  WE are a free country.  Businesses need to cater to everyone.  You cannot single out people.  You have people shopping for Hannakah [sic] around the same time of year.  Should we not like the Jews? You have Jehovah’s Witness, Kwanza, ETC…You cannot shove Christianity down people’s throats!”

Dear Anonymous, it is spelled Hanukkah {or Hanukah is also considered correct}.  Furthermore, Jehovah’s Witnesses DO NOT shop for Christmas gifts because Jehovah’s Witness DO NOT celebrate Christmas. 

In light of the above corrections it is clear this comment was not written by the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree but the familiarity of the sentiments bear addressing, nonetheless.

Have you ever noticed that when someone cannot intelligently speak to the merits of an issue, they resort to name calling.  “Hate group?”  Christmas is a holiday of Peace on Earth, celebrating the birth of Christ.  It has been so for thousands of years.  All Christians are asking for is continued recognition of Christ’s name during this season.  Indeed, for Christians to be accused of hate for standing up for the Prince of Peace is worse than inane.  

As for singling out religions, the one being singled out this time of year is Christianity. Christmas is being shoved out the door in retail print ads, radio spots and television commercials.  Merchants forbid employees to say Merry Christmas.  Store chains decline to promote the term Christmas decorations, though they happily sell them while making a hefty profit.  Any logical shopper could deduce that retailers want our money as they vigorously advertise their “holiday specials” but they expect Christians not to be offended at the elimination of the Reason for the Season.

Free country?  Absolutely.  At least for now we are still allowed to celebrate our faith in the manner in which we see fit.  We don’t ask Jews not to celebrate Hanukkah.  Nor do we advocate for the elimination of other religious holy days.  So why should we tolerate the marginalization of ours?  To celebrate Christmas is not to shove Christianity down anyone’s throat.  Rather it is an expression of a Christian’s faith, a tradition held for centuries that only in the past few decades, has come under fire. 

Christians are not demanding everyone in America celebrate Christmas.  But neither will we keep silent when those in the minority attempt to highjack our holiday.  In a truly free society, ALL people of faith maintain their liberty and the beliefs of ALL are valued whether or not they are embraced by others.  In a tolerant society no reasonable person would seek to purge a holiday embraced by 78% of a nation’s population.

On a final note, I would hasten to add that to believers in Christ, this holiday is not about massive spending or accumulating hoards of materialism.  We simply recognize the sanctity of this holiday and we are mindful…hopefully long beyond the Christmas season… of merchants who dismiss people of faith by refusing to honor our values.

Here’s the link to the Naughty or Nice list… http://action.afa.net/Detail.aspx?id=2147486887

Update on “Breaking In, Breaking Through”

My personal testimony “BREAKING IN, BREAKING THROUGH” is featured in September/October edition of Breathe Again Magazine {page 31}  

Access  article: http://breatheagain.org/pdfs/BAMSep-Oct09.pdf

I am so grateful for friends who read and commented on my article/post from March 12 entitled “Breaking In, Breaking Through”.   Some of you responded on this site, many more in private email.  Thank you for each of your comments and words of encouragement.

Back in late March I shared this testimony while speaking at an event for single Christian women.   The response was deeply touching.  I will be speaking on this subject again in the next few months and would appreciate your prayers.

Today I learned that this story will be published in the September issue of Breathe Again Magazine.  Their mission is to encourage women all across our nation with stirring stories about overcoming adversity and living triumphantly…motivating women not only to endure but to overcome life’s most challenging moments.  I hope you will take the opportunity to explore this publication.

Thank you again for all your support.

Changing a Life with $1

June in Colorado 20091

Recently at my local church in Colorado Springs, our pastor shared a message on money.  It was unusual in two respects. 

 

First, rarely does our pastor preach about money.  This particular message was in reference to how we can worship God not only in songs on Sunday mornings but with our lives, using our finances to glorify Him. 

 

Second, the service was out of the ordinary in that at the conclusion of the message offering plates were passed and worshipers were all encouraged to take money OUT of the plate.  We were challenged to think about how we could take a single dollar and turn it into something that would serve the Body of Christ and glorify God in the process.

 

But how does one go about worshipping God with “just a buck”?

 

My son Zechariah is 14 years old and while I don’t think of him as adopted, the reality is that I am not his ‘birth mother’.  He came to me at 5 weeks old, the product of the Utah Foster Care System.  Even though his bio mom was facing tremendous obstacles, she chose to give life to this little boy who eventually found his way into my home and more importantly, into my heart.

 

Zechariah found a way to turn his dollar bill into a project, a challenge to others to support mothers in difficult situations who want to choose life for their unborn babies.  You can read more about his exciting challenge at www.firstgiving.com/zechallor

Today that challenge culminated in the annual Life Network Walk for Life.  We are so very grateful for all our friends and family who supported Zechariah in this effort.  He raised  $450.00…so far. 

It’s not too late to contribute on-line at his sight…