December
22
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The Obligatory Christmas Post
by David Leach
Here we are again at Christmas. When the small forces of Emperor Scrooge relentlessly engage the vast armies of Santa. The truth is – Santa always wins. Always.
I don’t fight Christmas anymore. Oh believe me I did, I really did. I withstood it with ever Christian sensibility I possessed. It is not in Scripture. Why do we not do the things we are commanded in God’s Word, and yet embrace this curious mixture of ” baby Jesus” and undeniable paganism with such swooning fervor? I mean, c’mon, a day with Santa and Jesus the Messiah with equal billing? I could not do it. I did not do Christmas with my family, and did not sing Christmas type songs in church if they were sung, or attend any Christmas program if whatever church we were part of had one. (Most did not.) If Christmas happened to fall on Sunday, I did not go to church, fearful of that dreaded capitulation to secular compromise. If my church put up any decorations, I was most indignant. I did not buy Christmas trees or gifts. My opposition was public. My devotion to Scroogeism, relentless.
You my friend are a discerning reader, and you understand the use of the past tense in writing – thus you can easily guess that I have somehow changed my point of view. And so I have.
Though my objections to Christmas (that I’ve held for about 35 years) I still maintain, my interaction with those who participate in it have changed drastically. No longer am I a pugnacious anti-Christmas contrarian. My inner Scrooge has shriveled up and gone to whatever dark pit of a place over zealous concerns go. Of course Christmas will never be a Christian day. It is a cultural day with a pseudo-Christian veneer. However, I no longer feel a compulsion to play the curmudgeon. Still, from my vantage point, the less the Lord Jesus Christ is attached to said day, and the more culture nonsense only is, the better. Some say “Put Christ back into Christmas.” However, the obvious truism is – that He was never there. I say, “take Christ out of Christmas,” and just fully install Santa. I’m ok with a day we give gifts and put up trees and lights around our house and take a day off work and have time as a family together. Just stop pretending that the “baby Jesus” has anything to do with it. He doesn’t.
Well, some of you will think me too liberal and wishy-washy, some of you will think me too smug and conservative. and to you in both camps I can only say, do what seems right to you in submission to God and His Word. I trust that is my only intention and desire for myself. Oh, and Merry….you know…
![Santa_Claus_FDA_Public_Enemy[1]](http://5ptsalt.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/santa_claus_fda_public_enemy1.jpg "Santa_Claus_FDA_Public_Enemy[1]")
I have some news for you. If there is a competition between Jesus and Santa in the so-called Christian realm, Santa will win every time. If you don’t believe that, ask how many churches are calling off Sunday worship this week. Truth is, it isn’t partly pagan and partly Christian. It is pagan through and through. Even the origin of it is pagan via the “HOLY ROMAN CHURCH.”
Will I preach a message on the incarnation this week? Most likely so. Do I believe Jesus was born on Dec. 25? No way. Do we enjoy Christian liberty to celebrate God provision for the bodily sacrifice of our Savior on whatever day we like? Yep! And why not on Dec. 25? Just don’t judge those who feel otherwise.
By the way, Joel, that was in full agreement with what you wrote. That is my gift to you this “winter celebration.”
Actually, my sometimes-co-contributor and friend wrote this post. And ‘winter celebration’, indeed. Can I borrow your credit card?
Well by golly I confess I’m not sure. Maybe some churches are calling off worship this Sunday. Hope not. Andy, I would not remove an iota of your liberty to preach from Luke 1 and 2, or kindred passages, within the limits of your sanctified conscience – or preach from any of the Word of Truth, But as for me, in the years when I was preaching I specifically avoided ANYTHING that smacked of Christmas all of December. Always seemed a good time to me to find long ignored juicy verses in Leviticus or 2nd Chronicles. Or start a series on “spiritual distractions” or “the abiding presence of spiritual counterfeits.” You Go Bro.
David
You’re making a whole lotta sense, enjoyed that one .One question though, how did you maintain the rage for 35 yrs ?
Ray: Thanks. Rage is easy. Contentment – that can be tough!
I say condemn Christmas with a passion or else whole heatedly embrace it but don’t limp between two positions. It sounds like you maybe trying to talk your self into something.
Vince,
Obviously, I can’t speak for David (who wrote the post) but I doubt, from what he has written here, that he is ‘limping’ between two positions.
Merry Christmas Vince, to you and yours….and go hogs!
Vince I’m vacilating between thumpin’ you and forgiving you. Oh how I limp between two opinions! Ha! Ask Joel how racked by indecisioin I generally am. I usually am the most opinionated person within a 100 square mile area. Joel is an opinion ninny next to me.and THAT man is no opinion slouch! . I have not lived a full day until I have offended at least a dozen sanctimonious folk with my wide-eyed over-zealous opinions.
However, there is no virtue in extremism for it’s own sake.Not all middle ground is compromise. I have no desire to condemn Christmas altogether. But I’ll consider doing so if you will give me a hand explaining it to my grandchildren Sunday.
And Vince, I trust there are no deadly weapons in your home during any heated exchanges you have with your wife! Not sure an arguement with a fellow with no passion control is a good thing! God bless you brother, and accept my half-hearted and limping hope for a grand Christmas for you. Or, a lump of coal, as you prefer!
Now, I will place my limping body onto my limping nag of a horse, and ride off into the limping Christmas sunset, as I try to talk my halting limping self into marginal limping strength to carry on in my half-hearted limping way! Ho Ho Ho!
Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christ Mass to All!
David,
It is Randy, not Andy. Thanks for allowing me my Christian liberty, but you couldn’t take it away from me if you tried. What I preach on when people are thinking about the incarnation is the crucifixion. After all, that is the reason for the incarnation isn’t it?
Joel,
I don’t just regard it as a “winter celebration.” Actually, where I live they consider it summer [verano] now. And, NO! you may not borrow my credit card. I don’t even use it. Only fools live above their means. Sorry my gift to you wasn’t valid since you didn’t write the post. I thought we had stumbled onto common ground.
Actually, my favorite day of the year is December 26th.
Bah,Humbug!
RANDY
Don’t make me like you Randy…lol. And, we have common ground. Oh, for the record, I’ve never owned a credit card in my life, in all my 50 years. I was just hoping, you know, that you could pay for some stuff, ha. Merry Christmas.
Joel,
I know we have common ground. I am glad you recognize that too. Hope you any yours have a great Christmas.
Randy
David,
I hope the limp gets better soon.
Randy, you’ll always be my special Andy anyway. Oh, and I did not so much “allow” you your Christian liberty as to merely acknowledge it’s reality.
I am so overwrought with the stinging arrows of bitter disappointment. How I hoped my unpretentious Christmas post would bring peace to the earth, and unity among all peoples, and a winning season for the Cowboys. Maybe my goals should be modified….
Andy, If they revive Gunsmoke, and set you in the lead role, I’ll play your Chester. Deal?
Wait….I like Festus better than Chester.
But, Chester was the one with the limp. And yes David, you have a deal. Not sure about the Cowboys but peace among all people might be easier. Have a great Christmas.
RANDY
David – your post about limping away cracked me up. Your original post about the season, not so much. Though I agree with you that a.) Christmas is an unbiblical abomination and I am learning that b.) it falls into the Romans 14 discussion about lesser things.
We will continue our exposition of Romans this Lord’s Day, being in the middle of chapter 15.
Blessings in Christ, the resurrected Lord of all, this and every Lord’s Day – until He returns to finish things.
Truth be known, I liked Festus better as well. Though I was kinda partial to Doc. Now that was a curmudgeon after my own heart. I’ve patterned my kindly gentle bedside manner after him. Uh huh
And Joel – don’t expect any Christmas post from me ever again! It makes folk crazy! But I do have something ready for Easter…..
Bring it bro…. Merry Christmas.
I guess we had better knock this off before we start talking about who is gonna play Ms. Kitty.
lol, I’ll take your thump and lump of coal for Christmas. I am all to often impulsive and inconsiderate with my comments. God bless us everyone!
Thank you Tiny Tim….
David,
I have felt my heart going down that censorious path over this issue the past year or two and I thank you for the wisdom in your post. I still don’t like it, but I’m sure there are bigger issues in my own life the Lord would have me address.
David,
Thank you for your wisdom on this subject. I have struggled with this for many years. I have never gone to the extent you have, but nevertheless struggled with it the same. Certainly something I will give some thought to.