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A Better Reason For The Christmas Season?
by Ben Kinchlow
By now you will have seen, or will soon begin to see, banners, bumper stickers, or window fliers displayed by certain "rebellious" types. "These politically incorrect subversives are offensive, unfeeling, and without regard for the civil liberties of others by displaying intolerance with their religious zeal!" The offending message reads… "Jesus is the Reason for the Season".
These zealots are without a doubt offending such diverse groups as Kwanza-ites, atheists, agnostics, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, etc., etc., ad nauseum. They are attempting to impose a purely religious view of a "secular holiday". They are clearly in violation of the Constitutional mandate of "separation of church and state". They probably have a crèche in their home and still celebrate this international holiday as the birthday of Jesus Christ.
In the Middle East, there will be "wars and rumors of wars" and attempts to organize diverse ethnic groups, both for and against each other. "Silent Night, Holy Night" will perhaps be neither as bombs explode in the very land that gave birth to the "Prince of Peace". Consider that the Prince of Peace came to what is arguably the single most ethnically diverse, strife-ridden area of the world.
In the classic Dr. Seuss Christmas tale, "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas", the Grinch endeavors to stop Christmas by stealing the gifts, decorations, and even the Yule logs. On Christmas morning, he waits with an eager ear to hear the wails of anguish and disappointment wafting up from the village beneath him. Instead he hears the singing of Christmas carols. "How could this be?", he wondered. None of the traditional trappings… yet Christmas came anyway.
Despite political correctness, in spite of terrorist attacks and threats and wars, despite assaults on freedom and ethnic diversification, Christmas morning will again dawn clear and crisp across this troubled globe. The message that changed time, this is AD (Anno Domini… the year of our Lord) 2002, and history will ring out once again from a thousand pulpits and billions of voices. Once again we will hear the message first spoken by angels, The First Noel.
The real reason for the season will be announced. He is the unifying factor for every diversity, culture, creed, national origin, and gender.
"… unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulders, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:5-6)
Some two thousand and two years ago, according the best estimates, "There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was Governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manager; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And, lo, the Angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shown round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear Not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:1-14)
Can you think of a better reason for the season?
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