CHRISTMAS

I love Christmas. I love Christmas music and Christmas programs and Christmas lights and Christmas trees and Christmas parties and Christmas cards and Christmas presents. I am not alone. Pardon me for just a minute while I climb up on my Christmas soap box.
God loves this crazy, messed up, defiant human race so much that once upon a time, the Creator of the universe came up with the most extravagant gift He could dream up. A gift the galaxies could not contain, but one that could walk the face of the earth. God so loved the world that He sent his only begotten son that we should not perish but have everlasting life. Our Father knows a thing or two about generosity.
Jesus was not born in December. There was not a Christmas tree in the stable. No one sang "Silent Night" or decorated the inn with neon lights. I assume Mary didn't throw a turkey in the oven and the shepherds didn't get any figgy pudding. These are traditions. Strange little ways we strange little humans celebrate, and they don't matter. Christmas matters.
But strange little traditions have taken over our culture. Trees and wrappings and trapping have smudged our view of what matters. So much so that to many, Jesus is such a tiny, 7lb 4oz helpless thing, and our culture has xed him out all together. Because some people don't believe in (whisper) Jesus, we shouldn't offend their sensibilities by reminding them of "the reason for the season."
I have blogged before about my ambiguous feelings toward Halloween. I'm pretty sure there are a lot of people who feel the same about Christmas. They aren't sure they agree with the premise, but the stuff that goes with it has some appeal so they aren't willing to opt out completely. My son is not familiar with the salutation "Happy Halloween," but I won't be calling the ACLU if someone says it in his presence. Why? Because that would be ridiculous!
Do you know that 80% of the population claims to be Christian? So it's OK to associate yourself with Christ for heaven and hell, but not for heaven and nature sing? Do you know what they call the 80% of the population that claims to be Christian? "The silent majority." We live in a democratic society. That means the majority gets their way; but not if they remain silent. Visit this site to do a little something about it. And if you need help speaking up, I have a couple of T-shirt ideas for you here. (All proceeds to benefit Samaritan's Purse).

Oh, and our Father knows a thing or two about Christmas parties too. To celebrate His son, he put on a light show in a field nearby the likes of which caught the attention of some guys hundreds of miles away. And there was singing. Angels singing "Glory to God in the highest!" The angels were basking in heavens biggest party (to date). There was some ruckus in heaven the night the Way was born.
So make some ruckus, and celebrate The Gift.