Keith's Korner for December

 

If not, you may be running behind schedule this year.  Some Christmas displays were already up before Halloween, Christ and Christmas are even more scarce in advertisements and politically correct conversations, the big Christmas news stories are not about Christ, but about the economy and Christmas sales this year, there’s a new round of ditties going around blaming Congress and the Obama administration for it all and all loyal Christians are encouraged to celebrate Advent and Christmas by being upset and quarrelsome in order to honor Christ and draw folks to Him.

 

Think about it – PRAY ABOUT IT:  how often do we get upset and maybe even write letters to our leaders condemning Islamic countries for religious oppression of Christians and call for them to allow us to worship, witness and receive converts there?  How often do we condemn them for forcing adherence and shutting us out and then complain that we aren’t allowed to do the very same thing in Christian America?  We complain that they don’t encourage freedom and diversity there and complain that we do encourage freedom and diversity here!

 

So what if many folks insist of saying Happy holidays wishing folks their best for Thanksgiving, Kwanza, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Years in a blandly generic manner?  Does that stop those of us who really do believe in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord from choosing to specifically wish those around us a merry Christmas, and by our LOVING, NOT IN YOUR-FACE statements, be recognized as different, focused on Christ and still approachable?

 

How often in Scripture do we find Jesus, the Apostles or any of Jesus’ followers protesting the pagan holidays and demanding that everyone, unbelievers included, tow the religiously correct line?  

 

Being noticed, in charge and having it our way does not always lead to a heartfelt response on anyone’s part, does it? 

 

What would happen if instead of looking at the Happy Holidays crowd as un-American enemies of all that’s good, we just saw fields white unto harvest and lovingly and courageously wished them a merry Christmas including coming to know the cute little Christmas Baby as the Savior and risen Lord we know Him to be and long for them to choose to receive as well?  Which approach do you think is most effective in winning folks to Christ?

 

What if this Christmas, instead of getting angry and focusing on how everyone’s doing wrong, we focused on Christ, celebrating His birth, life, sacrifice, resurrection, Gift of the Holy Spirit and offer of new, eternal life in Him?  What if we were friendly, but firm in our approach to all the holidays -  especially in our love and loyalty to Christ this season?  What if we watched to see if Christ prefers to use honey or vinegar to draw folks to Himself?  Why not let the world say, “Happy Holidays.” and still feel like we are approachable and appealing enough to listen and even ask us why Christmas is such a big deal to us?   What if we invited instead of hammered this year?

 

Let’s find out.  Let’s purchase and send cards that are Christ centered instead of just pretty winter scenes.  Let’s ask for, purchase and use stamps that honor Christ.  Let’s wish folks, not just a merry, but a BLESSED Christmas and see what they do with that?  Why not share the joy instead of the disgruntled side of Christmas?   Why not HAVE a merry and blessed Christmas and offer that to others instead of criticism of their misguided and incomplete searching for life and joy and purpose this year?  Let’s major more on The Cure and less on the harsh diagnosis this year.