Posted on 12/18/2001 4:55:18 AM PST by truthandlife
All across America, Christmas is being expunged. In spite of the events of three months ago, there is little room for Christmas in America's public life. In fact, Christmas seems to be losing ground even faster than in the past.
School districts across the country are forbidding students from passing out personal Christmas cards. In Minnesota, two middle school students were disciplined for wearing red and green scarves. In Massachusetts, ninth grade students were warned to refrain from wishing friends "Merry Christmas." In Illinois, a teacher was instructed by her principal to not read a story about Christmas to her second graders. In Georgia, a school removed the word "Christmas" from its calendar after threats from the A.C.L.U.
Throughout the United States, nativity scenes and Christmas trees have been removed. In one South Florida veterans hospital, even a Christmas angel was taken down. In most public places today, all references to Christmas have been obliterated. Taking its place is the politically correct, "non-offensive," multicultural, full-of-diversity greeting, "Happy Holidays." What is with all this lunacy? It's as if "Scrooge" has been institutionalized. It is not hyperbole to observe that in many (if not most) American homes, Harry Potter is more popular than the Christ-child is.
America's Founding Fathers must be rolling over in their graves! In their wildest dreams, they could never have imagined such a display of religious intolerance happening in the land "founded by Christians on the Gospel of Jesus Christ" (Patrick Henry).
The longest-living Founding Father was John Quincy Adams. As such, he was a much sought after speaker for patriotic events. On July 4, 1837, he made a very astute observation. He said, "Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this day? Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the Progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity and gave to the world the first irrevocable pledge of the fulfillment of the prophecies announced directly from Heaven at the birth of the Savior and predicted by the greatest of the Hebrew prophets 600 years before?"
Adams' sentiments seem quite out of fashion today, don't they? His penchant for Christian liberty is as popular these days as limited government is. Then again, I remember a time when children prayed and read the Bible in public schools. That day is gone for good, and it appears that the public celebration of Christmas is nearing its end, also. However, people should not fret. In the new socialist Amerika now under construction, Ramadan and Kwanzaa are perfectly acceptable.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Plain english. Yet the iron fisted leftists somehow manage to keep kids from saying "Merry Christmas" and expressing themselves, and we allow them to get away with it.
To top it off we allow "prayer rooms" for Muslim kids to pray to their moon-god. Can it get any more sick and twisted?
Christians need to learn to balance their time between talking politics and preaching Jesus. If we tell more people about Jesus in a face-to-face setting, they can make the cecision.
For the most part, Christians are a bunch of chickens who are afraid to share their faith with their friends and neighbors.
That is why there are not enough people on our side. We can never expect the politicos to do OUR job.
Christmas expressed in a truthful manner is the result of a change in heart. Nothing more-nothing less. We have to educate the public one at a time.
Politics will not repair this. We have to share Christ with everyone we know. I've finally seen my brother and mother come to Christ thus year. Don't stop.
That's just my family. I've led many to Christ this year alone. If we don't preach it, they can't hear it.
Face-to-face!
Christians must maintain CHRIST in CHRISTmas or we have no one to blame but ourselves
It is a directed assault to rid Christ from the season and Christians from this country.
Carried out by a Minority of miserable and godless Malevolent Misfits who would destroy us..
Send only christian Cards with Religious stamps and celebrate the season with "Merry Christmas" Greetings.
This all started with Merry ""XMAS"" Long ago..
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL..
I wouldn't say that they are FOR CHRISTmas as much as they are for selling their product. They are not for CHRIST, and I can't say that I'd expect them to be. But, they do the same things at other holidays, when possible. The one advantage that they have on CHRISTmas is the fact that the wisemen brought gifts. Great time to sell gifts, huh?
One thing that always has reflected where the business world stood on Christ is their absence durng the Easter holiday, which really carries more message (regarding Christ) than all other holidays together.
In fact, the church seems to do the same thing. Kids see Easter as the day they get baskets, dresses and suits. It's simply one of those "obligatory" church meetings. The church itself doesn't seem to realy understand Easter's significance. If they did, it would be a day of celebration. We have nearly turned it into a day of mourning.
It would help the world if we took him off of the cross.
Unfortunately, many of those who do "share their faith" do so in a tactless, you're-going-to-hell manner that turns off those they wish to attract.
Every Christian is not given the charism to evangelize.
I never said that you should not do so without regard for the fruits of the spirit.
One great example I have of those with a lack of tact is Peter. He preached a great message on the day of Pentecost, and it wasn't exactly covered with sweets.
He held nothing back, and made no apologies. I don't have my bible handy, but I think that 5,000 were added to the church that day.
Kilrush
You must show me that in the scriptures. I don't buy it. If we really believe that Christ is risen again (and that's what it's all about), we should be excited.
Excitement can pass charisma any day of the week. I've seen a lot of preachers with charisma who NEVER end a sermon with an opportunity for the lost to accept Christ. Where did their charisma lead the lost?
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