COMMON MATTERS

Seventy Percent Prefer It

“A recent Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 70 percent of American adults prefer retailers to use ‘Merry Christmas’ signs. Twenty-four percent of those polled would rather see ‘Happy Holidays.’ According to the survey, many adults across almost all demographic groups prefer ‘Merry Christmas,’ with young adults feeling as strong as older adults.” (The Christian Post, Dec. 5, 2011)

Seventy percent.  The majority of Americans.  Yet, some folks let a minority tell them what they can and cannot say. Seems to me, that some businesses are shooting themselves in the foot with their efforts to appease the minority. The U.S. constitution ensures us the freedom of speech.  The first amendment to the U.S. Constitution states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof".  Therefore, if we want to, we should be able to greet one another with Merry Christmas even if it is July 4th.

I don't know about you, but I haven't encountered anyone who has not returned my "Merry Christmas" greeting with one of their own.  I love the Salvation Army Bell-ringers.  They all say "Merry Christmas".  It feels so good to be wished a season of happiness to remember what these hurry, scurry, hustle, bustle days are all about. The news media would have us believe that we are in the minority.  It's sad that Christmas programs at school have evolved (or dissolved) into all things Santa, Rudolf, and Christmas gifts.  Not a whisper of:

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6"

When I was a child, our school Christmas carols included O' Little Town of Bethlehem, Away in the Manger, and Silent Night as well as Jingle Bells.  We saw the Nativity displayed in our classrooms along with The Ten Commandments.  I ask you, how does talking about faith and living a life free of theft, murder, lying, and cheating, hurt the character and mind development of a child?  Since the removal of prayer in schools, and replacement of Bible reading with government controlled curriculum, we have more and more self-aggrandizement, self-sufficiency, and self-centeredness.  Life is all about "me, me, me".  Ironically, because some are offended by the mere whisper of the name of God, we have fewer schools teaching The Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.  Patriotism, pride in our country, is undermined.  This is visible in our world by the Home Owners Associations that are prohibiting flagpoles on lawns.

This is America.  Land of the free, home of the brave.  Yet, so often we see more and more prohibitions to our freedoms.  We see less and less bravery.  We shiver and shake and cower when we should stand up and "trust in the God" we have stamped on our coins and dollar-bills.  That God, my friends, is THE God who sent His only begotten Son, born of a virgin, to give His life as a perfect holy and acceptable payment for the sin and stupidity of man.  When we place our faith and trust in Him, He is faithful to cleanse us from all our rebellion against Him.  Jesus came to reconcile us to the Father...to bring peace that the world and all their powers, bombs, and armies could not give.  It is our choice to believe or not, and it's our choice as free Americans to say, "Merry Christmas" if we want to.  So for the 70 percent who prefer it, let me say Merry Christmas to all.  I pray God blesses you and your family with peace, and goodness, mercy and love in the coming days. 

 

 

One More Week

Are you ready for Christmas?   I have a plan.  Whether or not the plan works out remains to be seen...but I have one.  I know what I want to get everyone on my list.  I think if I waddle my way around the various stores this week, I'll be able to cross off the gifts without too much trouble.  

I didn't decorate my house this year.  I haven't baked any Christmas cookies.  I didn't put out any lights to let the world know that the Light of the World was born over 2000 years ago.  I miss my various trees and the little nativity sets I place all around the house.  I have attended a couple of choir specials at church, but haven't made it to any Christmas parties yet.  I wrapped one gift for a dear friend in Kentucky and managed to get it in the mail.  Other than that, I've been too wrapped up in dental appointments, selecting essentials for our new home's down-sizing project to think much about Christmas and all its trappings.  To be honest, some of the trappings are just that.  Traps.  Some folks allow themselves to step into the trap of pleasing everyone they know who are simply impossible to please.  

It's kinda like trying to make the professionally unemployed happy.  No amount of benefits, housing, and care that the government gives them is enough.  They always want more, expect more, demand more.  They're like selfish children in throes of Christmas frenzy.  They get so caught up in getting presents that they forget to be grateful for what they receive.  

I see that atheists down in Texas are up to their normal Grinch-ism.  They're trying to have one town remove the Nativity scene from the town square.  All I can say to that is, "don't mess with Texas"; they aren't going to let some narrow-minded minority voice tell them how to celebrate Christmas.  I also read where a school somewhere banned the shoebox ministry wherein Christmas boxes are sent free to children around the world.  They stopped children from bringing in items to fill them.  Seems the school was upset that the packages contained... get this-- a message about Jesus and his birth.  Uh, yeah.  Isn't that what Christmas is all about?

We took our little granddaughters to see the lights in Elmer Park in Lawton.  They were so excited to see the dancing trees, snowmen, and colorful displays.  They liked them so much we took them through the neighborhoods to see how people decorated their homes for Christmas.  They oohed and aahed and were thrilled with every snowman, santa, and reindeer.  Only a handful of all the houses had any reference to religion and Jesus.  However, that did not stifle the spirit in 5-year-old Kinsey.  As we were nearing our house, she announced, "Grama, I just love Christmas!  Cuz it's Jesus' birth!"  You have to love the innocence of her statement.  Amid the Santas and Snowmen, the Savior was born to give man hope for eternity and Kinsey knew it.

There is so much hope in knowing that amid the "things" of earth which so easily capture our attention, that God still offers the greatest hope.  He doesn't change His mind about His gift.  He doesn't take it back.  He doesn't exchange it for something else--there is none better.  He gave us His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will have everlasting life.  Not trimmings.  Not cookie crumbs.  Not lights that come down after December 25th.  No.  He gives us the real deal--it doesn't fall apart or breakdown or lose it's power.  The perfect Gift of His Love and Light:  Jesus, Emanuel.