Monday, November 30, 2009

Consider the Symbols of December!

December is a time when we can experience a real conflict between faith and culture. The alarming fact is how few actually recognize the tug-of-war for our hearts and minds.

There have been some who go to battle over the protection of the name of the season. Beginning soon after Thanksgiving, arguments in defense of “the Christmas Season” can be heard. These come in the form of attacks against friends and family who wish each other “Happy Holidays”. Practicing Christians can take on the challenge as a righteous cause; not realizing the error of their ways. Truth is, these defenders of the faith turn their backs on the Church’s Advent Season. On December 24th the challenge really comes to a climax, when the secular holiday season comes to an end, and the Church’s Christmas Season is only beginning.

Then, consider the symbols of the season. For over 45 years the U.S. Post Office has distinguished between the religious and the secular symbols of December. There are stamps that yearly picture the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus. These stamps are produced for those who wish to display a symbol of faith on their correspondence. There are also secular options which have pictured the evergreen tree, the poinsettia, the reindeer, the toy train, and the list goes on.

Sad to say, when entering a Christian Church during the month of December, one is more likely to find the pagan symbol (the evergreen tree) circled with poinsettias than a scene depicting the birth of the Christ Child.

And if asked to name the tree found there, most would call it a Christmas Tree; although it has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus; and everything to do with the pagan observance of the winter solstice.

So, my fellow Christians, do not be offended if I make reference to the Holiday Tree, rather than the Christmas tree. It is just one way I attempt to attribute to Jesus, what belongs to Jesus.

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