Friday, December 18, 2009
Why Would Anyone Oppose Christmas?
One song refers to Christmas as “the most wonderful time of the year.” When families are functional and neighbors remember to treat others like Jesus taught them, it is a wonderful time of the year. It is during this season that many people give extra to charities, send cards to people they rarely connect with, throw parties, give gifts, and extend their love toward those in need. It is a time for joyous music, playful decorations, family gatherings and favorite dinners. Who would have a problem with that?
It seems that Christmas was opposed from the very beginning. Before Jesus was born, his parents were called on to live a life of inconvenience, poverty and scorn. The heavy hand of Rome and it’s call for taxes are the reason Jesus was born in a stable rather than in a comfortable home. When King Herod heard of Jesus’ birth he actually slaughtered many babies in an effort to kill the Christ child. Do you see a pattern? It seems like Jesus’ enemy, Satan, used everyone and everything he could to stop the incarnation (God coming in flesh). Satan opposed Jesus birth, because he knew his kingdom of evil would eventually be destroyed.
Satan used greedy politicians, proud religious leaders, intellectuals, and many other disgruntled people to oppose Christ. That is still the way it works. For some people it is not enough that they don’t believe in Jesus; they don’t want anyone else to believe in Jesus either. It is not enough that they don’t celebrate and decorate for Christmas; they want to ban it from schools and the market place.
Perhaps we should note what has happened to our schools, our town squares and our marketplaces. The more we oppose Christ, the more violent and disagreeable our society becomes. When children can sings songs praising men, but not songs praising God, we should be alarmed. That is not a good force influencing our policies.
But, such is life. Jesus did not moan and complain; He went about healing people and doing good. We should do the same. Jesus is a household name because his love conquered his enemies. Christmas is joyous because a poor carpenter, some lowly shepherds and some uncouth fishermen responded to Christ and let him change their lives.
Evil opposition to Christmas is simply proof that it is a fabulous holy-day that needs to be valued and protected. Those who oppose Christmas are of the same spirit as those who opposed Christ and hung Him on a cross. Their human pride and unwillingness to admit there is a creator who runs the universe ignites vicious out-lashings against a very wonderful time of the year. We who value Christmas and its true meaning must reassure ourselves with the same understanding concerning these “opposers” that Jesus had: “They know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
Thankfully, there are millions of believers who will make sure that Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, no matter who opposes it!
It seems that Christmas was opposed from the very beginning. Before Jesus was born, his parents were called on to live a life of inconvenience, poverty and scorn. The heavy hand of Rome and it’s call for taxes are the reason Jesus was born in a stable rather than in a comfortable home. When King Herod heard of Jesus’ birth he actually slaughtered many babies in an effort to kill the Christ child. Do you see a pattern? It seems like Jesus’ enemy, Satan, used everyone and everything he could to stop the incarnation (God coming in flesh). Satan opposed Jesus birth, because he knew his kingdom of evil would eventually be destroyed.
Satan used greedy politicians, proud religious leaders, intellectuals, and many other disgruntled people to oppose Christ. That is still the way it works. For some people it is not enough that they don’t believe in Jesus; they don’t want anyone else to believe in Jesus either. It is not enough that they don’t celebrate and decorate for Christmas; they want to ban it from schools and the market place.
Perhaps we should note what has happened to our schools, our town squares and our marketplaces. The more we oppose Christ, the more violent and disagreeable our society becomes. When children can sings songs praising men, but not songs praising God, we should be alarmed. That is not a good force influencing our policies.
But, such is life. Jesus did not moan and complain; He went about healing people and doing good. We should do the same. Jesus is a household name because his love conquered his enemies. Christmas is joyous because a poor carpenter, some lowly shepherds and some uncouth fishermen responded to Christ and let him change their lives.
Evil opposition to Christmas is simply proof that it is a fabulous holy-day that needs to be valued and protected. Those who oppose Christmas are of the same spirit as those who opposed Christ and hung Him on a cross. Their human pride and unwillingness to admit there is a creator who runs the universe ignites vicious out-lashings against a very wonderful time of the year. We who value Christmas and its true meaning must reassure ourselves with the same understanding concerning these “opposers” that Jesus had: “They know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
Thankfully, there are millions of believers who will make sure that Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, no matter who opposes it!
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