How do we take Christ out of Christmas? I can remember as a young child how furious my mom would get when stores would would spell Christmas with an X (Xmas)on their windows. I am not sure whether they were making a statement or just trying to conserve space.
OK... maybe this doesn't bother you, but I cannot understand why our society wants to take out any part of the life or name of Christ during this season. As the new movie, The Nativity Story, is set to open in the theaters on December 1, Chicago city officials have asked a local Christmas festival, Christkindlmarket, not to advertise the new movie worldnetdaily.
Though society's decision to ban advertisements about Christmas does not alter my faith, I am saddened that we live in a world that continues to reject Jesus Christ. But then again, what an opportunity for Christians to stand strong for the gospel in the face of opposition. As I remember, Christ told the disciples,
If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, `A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also (John 15:18-21).
Our faith or our message is not annihilated because society closes certain doors of outreach. In fact, our faith and message can never be eradicated because we serve a soveregn and powerful God. He has chosen to allow certain persecutions to enter into our lives in order to cultivate a more mature faith. Through our persecution and suffering, God draws us closer to Him and teaches us about the depth of our relationship with Christ.
Let's take advantage of this opportunity to call upon the Lord for guidance and reveal to a lost and dying world the magnificent splendor of our Savior. To Him be all the glory.
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