Politically Correct Christmas

Politically Correct Christmas

By Jodi Crago

“Oh, come on! Just say it!”

Yes. CHRISTMAS. C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S. CHRIST. MAS. Christmas, Christmas, Christmaaaaaaaaassssss. Did I say CHRISTMAS? Ahhh, there…that feels better. Living in the strangely politically correct world that we do, I find myself needing to say it out loud several times to remind myself what time of year this is. Christmas! It is not “Flannel Jammie-Time, Snowflake Holiday Winter Solstice Hot Chocolate Festival.” It is Christmas.

The chronic disease of PC has sadly spilled over into the subjugation of the real Christmas message. In weak efforts to combine ideologies, it is not uncommon today to see a Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and maybe the Grinch, all kneeling at the manger of tightly-regulated, city-council-approved nativity displays. Complete with the obligatory “Three Reindeer Rule” non-ethnically discernible reindeer and their iPods.

Of course, moving along in a neat and orderly fashion, no stopping and staring, and no flash photography allowed! The entire crèche ensconced by velvet rope barriers because we don’t want small children or incredibly bizarre people kissing the Baby Jesus. Might get the flu. So, bring your own antibacterial wipes.

You know, somehow, also seeing flamingos in Christmas garb and My Little Pony as the donkey who carried Mary, makes the miracle of Christmas seem…flat.

Well…that… and… it’s just weird!

It wasn’t that long ago that you could talk openly about Christmas, and even verbally say the words “Merry Christmas!” No one launched into hysterics, accusing you of hate speech and “religious intimidation,” like they do today. Over the past 20-30 years, it has become increasingly challenging for Christians to worship, harassment-free, in the Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.

“A horse of a different color…”

There are those people and special-interest groups who have literally made it their mission in life to remove any references of Christianity. The celebration of Christmas has not remained untouched. Not by a long shot. This is not extremist paranoia, it is a day-to-day reality for many Christians.

These anti-Christian saber rattlers have attempted to erase every echo of Christmas from our lives, schools, homes, and even churches! Wow. What most likely began as an earnest seeking of “equal representation” has unfortunately become a “Trojan Horse” concern for others’ beliefs and rights to exercise those rights. Turn on any mainstream channel, and there you will see it for yourself. Grouchy “voice-of-the-people” pundits hyperventilating about the placement of those scary brain-washing Nativity scenes!” And the disturbing word ‘Christmas?’ “Offensive!” Even when little kids spell it out in green and red glitter, no less!

They claim to be offended, yet brag about their (plastic) tolerance and their great battlefield bravery in confronting Christians about such things. Is it really that brave to confront a Christian about the cross and a crèche?

And, the intimidation factor? If there has been any intimidation at all, it has mostly come from those that start ranting over anything “Christmas-y.” The ones that demand Christmas decorations be removed immediately! Lest they file a law suit on behalf of the 2.5 people worldwide every year who actually do burst into flames as a direct result of hearing the word,“Christmas.”! ENOUGH.

“A Brief History…”

Our Founding Fathers sought the creation of a truly free country based on some of their own persecutory experiences in England. Escaping religious persecution, America was partially founded based on the fundamental belief that all citizens have “freedom of religion, and the freedom of speech related to the exercise of.” Old guys over two-hundred years ago in powdered wigs wisely recognized speech and religion as going hand-in-hand, and voila! drafted the Bill of Rights. The very first Amendment guarantees us that we indeed have those rights. Oddly enough, the Bill of Rights has no amendment concerned with “Freedom from Feeling Offended by Religious Stuff.” Just a thought, there.

By writing and signing the US Constitution, they, in effect, all signed their own death-warrants. All for the freedom to worship God the way the Bible instructs Christians to.

Too, for the rights of crazy people to fly into rages over the mention of Jesus and the displaying of the Ten Commandments in public places. And, contrary to popular belief, that “Separation of Church and State” is NOT a protected article in the Constitution to prevent any public worship of God. In fact, it isn’t even mentioned in the Constitution at all. Actually, it is a term coined by Thomas Jefferson in 1802 in a letter to clear up any misunderstandings concerning religious freedom.
It was also to clarify and encourage those who wanted to worship God freely that, yes! they could do so without interference of the government. That has been twisted around over the past 200 years, and has come to mean a completely different thing today, hasn’t it?

“Back in the day…”

One thing I remember specifically about Christmas is that it seemed almost “magical.” There was a general feeling of joy that lasted for weeks! Sometimes, months. People seemed a little nicer, didn’t they? Perhaps they displayed greater acts of charity and goodwill towards others.

People gathered together, made huge feasts, enjoyed fellowship with those friends and families they only saw once or twice a year. They exchanged gifts to one another in gestures of love and unity; sometimes sacrificing their own wants just for the opportunity to give to others.

I can’t tell you how many times, as young parents, (before the automobile!) if we received money or gift cards for Christmas, my husband and I would turn it right around and spend it all on our kids. It seems that our spirits knew what we were celebrating, before we could even wrap our minds around the concept of Christmas. Well…our spirits still know. That’s the way God works. It’s even in the act of celebrating the birth of Jesus, His gift to us, it is actually written into our behavior!

It naturally overflows and manifests itself as generosity, true charity and love for other people. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38, (NIV). How exquisitely intricate. Expressions of His love cannot be halted, once loosed. God is just so cool.

“The Birth of Jesus: the real message is…”

…this: To keep a promise to His unfaithful children. We didn’t deserve it. We had willfully defied God, choosing to be separate from Him. God desperately wanted to reconcile with man, He just loves him so much. But, God is so holy, He cannot be where sin is. He had a plan: God sent His one and only Son to fulfill justice. Perfection had to atone for and cancel out the imperfect. Jesus could have been born anywhere, into any circumstance. He could have elevated Himself, lived as a prince, born into a golden crib, lavished on by all of His cool friends subjects and sycophants. But, would that have been perfect justice?

He chose instead, to be born into the lowest station, in a grimy, filthy stable. Born to a mother who was an outcast, and completely beholden to the mercy of her husband. There were no frantic preparations or baby showers. The Christ child burst forth into the dying world, first held and tenderly caressed by hands with dirty fingernails.

The angels announced the birth to the lowest of society. These poor and humble degenerate people were the first to know that the Messiah had been born. The King of Kings had arrived. Stop for a second: think about that. No message went out on Twitter to kings and other earthly authorities first. And, yet, great earthly kings would worship Him, bow to His authority, and lavish royal gifts upon this poor Jewish child. No celebrity guest list at the birth. No party-crashers wearing lampshades. No photo-ops and photo-shops. None of that.

Jesus would live for 33 years as a human, experiencing joys and sorrows, hurts and sufferings, and relating to every person of every station in every part of creation, for all time. He did that. For us. For me, for you.

“Pass it On”

This Christmas, don’t compromise truth in an attempt to appear uncontroversial. People desperately NEED to hear the truth of God’s Word and the awesome message of the real Christmas.

Observe your heart when opening The Ultimate Gift. Dare to be bold about it and watch what God WILL do to add to your joy in return. Remember that God gave this Gift so that we live abundantly. This pertains to all areas of our lives, including the enjoyment and celebration of these things. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James, 1:17, (NIV).

My gracious, even as parents, we watch every expression on our children’s faces while they are opening gifts from us, right? We excitedly wait for the squeals and smiles, the signs of acceptance we actually feel in the deepest parts of us. We don’t want our children to suppress expressions of happiness, for the sake of anyone. We want to see evidence of it!

“If you then…know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:13, (NIV). What joy we will receive when we give from our hearts; when we know and see the results unfold before us. Imagine how much more joy God feels, then, when we praise Him and cover Him with lavish thanks. So. Just go ahead and say it. In fact, pray it, sing it, text it, send out mass e-mails, shout it: Merry Christmas!