Posted on 12/23/2022 8:07:38 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
Across cultures, people have sought to flee oppression and escape persecution from the beginning of recorded history. A recurring theme in Western classical literature and in modern classics such as Superman and Disney originals, which revolve around the struggle between good and evil, is the need and critical role for a rescuer or savior.
The ultimate rescuer and savior for mankind would be a “messiah,” who would vanquish evil, oppression and falsehood once and for all. It is no accident that only Christianity has its roots and its entire reason for being in the messiah Jesus Christ. No other religion makes the claim that it was founded by a messiah.
Without a doubt, Christmas is a magical time of year not just because of the appeal of peace and a guiding star, as well as decorations, light displays, and volumes of wonderful music, but specifically because it marks the birth of Jesus Christ, who came into this world as the son of God, the Messiah and savior for all who accept him. Christmas is really about internal and eternal things rather than external and temporal matters.
Many people think approaching God is impossible. For them, Christianity appears to be a religion with questionable appeal because of the perception that it is like all the other religions that require giving up certain bad habits and behaviors and performing good works in order to approach God. Surprise, surprise: Christ reminds us in Matthew 11:30 that, “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
When a learned Jewish Pharisee whose life revolved around living up to stressful demands of the Mosaic law asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment in the law, Jesus answered simply that if we love God and love our neighbor as...
(Excerpt) Read more at thefederalist.com ...
If the Hessians weren’t partying up a storm on Christmas, Washington couldn’t have won the critical victory at Trenton.
That is 100% accurate but not just for the reasons stated in the article.
If it had not been for the Christmas celebration Johann Rall would not have stood down his patrols and himself been sleeping late on the Morning of December 26, 1776 as George Washington’s ragtag army swooped down on the Hessian garrison at Trenton NJ.
The attack was a last desperate gamble by a quickly dissolving American Army that had secretly crossed the ice choked Delaware River in the darkness hours before. By the time the Hessians realized what was happening, the Americans were already in Trenton’s streets and after a short but sharp battle (in which Rall was mortally wounded), Washington was victorious.
A few days later another battle was fought in Trenton and on January 3, 1777, Washington defeated a British force at Princeton NJ, however losing his friend and fellow General Hugh Mercer. Despite this the Revolution was saved and never again was the American Army and the American cause so close to defeat. The Trenton Princeton campaign was ten days that changed the world.
The Americans benefitted from a culture clash. Most of the Hessians were Lutherans, who partied heartily on Christmas, while many of Washington's troops were Calvinists who didn't observe Christmas.
Christianity rescued Rome from paralyzing superstition. If bad omens as simple as a raven choosing to take flight or some other thing occurred, it was a big hairy deal necessitating that events be canceled or foreign policy be put on hold. Wars were planned utilizing the guts of some unfortunate creature sacrificed for the occasion. Rome was the power of the day, but it was deeply superstitious. Christianity rescued this land of multiple gods and shrines to unknown gods (in case they missed one).
As we roll into another Christmas season, we face another time of superstition with political correctness being employed to shut down critical thought with a level of success that would have wowed then at the Spanish Inquisition. Weaponized magical thinking in the service of injustice (for what else is the rhetorical belief that the right words strung together can alter reality without the need for those words to be resonant of a deeper truth?) is a charge frequently laid to the Church, but the Church has no monopoly on the practice.
America was founded by dissidents that were often hunted by intolerant thinkers of magical thoughts and the power-mad. Let’s learn that lesson and proceed in the spirit of the Godly enlightenment men and women who founded this great nation.
While the doctrine of the incarnation in Christianity is undoubtedly foundational to the United States, the New England Pilgrims and other reformed groups did not celebrate Christmas as a holy day given there is no express statement in Scripture to do so (ie. the regulatory principle of worship). Of course, those who belonged to the Church of England or the Roman Catholic churches did, but it wasn’t until the Victorian era that Christmas became a national holiday as we know today.
https://www.frauncestavernmuseum.org/colonial-christmas
Like the Communists, the Devil’s mainstay is chaos and death. As we look around chaos is everywhere. People need to make up their minds is it going to be chaos or Christ in your life?
Many small businesses make half their profit at Christmas. Imagine our economy without Christmas. I expect the libs to eliminate Christmas at some point in our future.
Without the historical events which we affirm during Easter, there would be no Christmas.
If the Hessians weren’t partying up a storm on Christmas, Washington couldn’t have wonn the critical victory at Trenton.
Believe it or not most of the Hessians were not hungover at the time of the attack. Hessian rank and file lived a pretty Spartan lifestyle and their Officer’s did not allow the men to engage in heavy drinking even on holidays. During the battle, the enlisted Hessians performed their duty as best they could. One of the reasons the Hessians were surprised was because of the weather. A sleet storm overnight caused the Hessians to reduce their patrols around town. Both regular patrols on the River Road and Bear Tavern Road were called off due to the weather. These were the two roads the Americans were advancing on.
If those patrols had been conducted normally, Washington’s forces would have been discovered a mile or two outside of the town.
Some of the Officer’s (most importantly Rall himself) had attended a dinner party the evening before. During the dinner party a servant from a nearby Loyalist gave Colonel Rall a note which he stuck in his pocket unread. Later it was discovered that the note warned that the “rebels were crossing the river at McConkney’s Ferry”.
bump
I used to work with a man who was descended from a Hessian soldier who defected and fought for Gen. Washington. If the mercenaries were defecting, maybe that’s one reason why Washington won rather than any imbibing that may or may not have occurred.
I don’t think the libs can ever eliminate Christmas. Christmas is not something on a list you can vote on. It is in people’s hearts & it signifies the birth of Jesus Christ. He says HE is with us forever & I believe it while I generally would not believe a lib even in small things. Libs might do things to eliminate some small things about Christmas that are generally not important anyway, but to eliminate Christmas...I don’t think so. To do that, they would have to take His place & I sure don’t see that happening.
Thanks for the link..
I’ve read it was considered ‘Popish’..
If Daniel’s 4th Beast is Rome, those first protesters of Rome may have had a point..
Some didn’t observe Easter either for that reason.
There are bible alternatives to December 25 and Easter but they’d be more familiar in Islam and Judaism in part..
It’s fascinating that the bible notes 12 holy days, one at the start of every month, as one tells time with the moon.
And for one of those in summer, 40 days later is another holy day in the fall, where people would be fasting and praying night and day, like Anna was doing when Christ was presented in the temple.
Interestingly, the God of Abraham has at least 12 of those days every year (a 13th in a year with a 13th month) that points to the Beginning and the Birth..
The first day of each month. Set apart according to scripture.
This year, one of the 12, might actually be December 25 depending upon the sighting of the new moon..
A day, at the start at each of His months, that He called Israel to have a feast and banquet, and close the markets and stores while the gate at the temple would be open.
Americans would recognize that as a combination Thanksgiving and Christmas every month.
At least 12 times a year.
Once a month..
Islam, Judaism and Christianity don’t really work/worship that way yet..
But if the moon is sighted tomorrow night, December 25 would be one of those ‘New Moon Days’, that begin each of His months.
A feast day/banquet day.
Markets were closed according to Prophet Amos.
A day that points, once a month, to Genesis 1:1, John 1:1 and John 1:14..
The pattern is found in the Old Testament and New Testament.
But not found in religion these days..
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