THOSE CHRISTMAS CRITICS, CYNICS, AND CENSORS

From the Sunday Bulletin at FCC, Sunday, December 9 2012

Today is the second of the four Sundays known as the Advent Season in the Christian
Calendar.  Advent means “Coming” and speaks  of our Lord’s Birth.  Our theme this year is both Scriptural and popular Carol lyric, “Oh Tidings of Comfort and Joy!”

Have you heard of the “War on Christmas?”  Several years ago school calendars replaced “Christmas Break” with “Winter Break.”  Recently retailers have instructed their clerks to wish shoppers, “Happy holidays” rather than “Merry Christmas.”  The Governor of Rhode Island now insists that the traditional Christmas tree be called a Holiday Tree.  The name of Christ is being systematically removed from the public square.

Others have seen the threat of crass materialism and debt-ridden gift-giving that crowded Christ out of His rightful place as the reason for the season.

Historically, some Christians feared that the celebration Christ’s hallowed birth might trivialize or minimize the spiritual significance of the day.  Others feared that Christmas would become a ritual rather than a remembrance of the Savior.

So from the left and the right, from the unbelievers to the true believers, Christmas has had its share of critics, cynics, and censors.

Yet the significance of this day will never be lost on those of us who know the Savior who was born on the first Christmas day.  This Savior is worthy of our highest praise.  He changed the world forever.  He changed our lives forever.  And, because He came, He changed our forever forever.

 He came for you!