~ What I
Don’t Like About Christmas! ~
Taking Christ Out of Christmas
~ Shortening the word Christmas to
Xmas, whether intentionally or not, removes Christ from CHRISTmas. Aren’t we
celebrating His birth?
It is a
subtle thing, but it has an impact, when we greet one another with Seasons
Greetings or Happy Holidays, rather than Merry Christmas!
By the way,
“Where have all the nativity scenes gone?” There was a time, not that long ago,
when all the department stores and many public places (including government)
prominently displayed nativity scenes. But that was before the emphasis on
political correctness.
Society has
turned Christmas into a commercial focus on gift-buying—increasingly expensive
gifts—often for people who do not need what they are given.
Suggestions
~ (1) This Christmas choose to
deliberately take your holiday back.
(2) Avoid
the politically correct greetings and wish people a “Merry Christmas” or remind
them that there is “Joy to the World” since the Savior has come!
(3) When
you find a nativity scene in retail outlets and other public places, make your
thankfulness known to the organization. In some nativity-less situations you
might politely express your disappointment at the lack of a nativity scene.
(4) Do all
the Christmas cards you send out have a clear spiritual message?
(5) How
about your Christmas decorations inside and outside your home? Do you display
stars and nativity scenes or is prominence given to Frosty, Rudolph, reindeer,
and Santa Claus?
(6) Cut
back on the gift-giving and use your savings to give to Him through Christian
organizations which work to honor Him.
(7)
Re-evaluate your own life with regard to your time, finances, activities, and
priorities. Ask yourself if He would
desire that you make permanent changes.
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
