meaning of Christmas, and the many common expressions thereof, becomes
more pronounced. In our increasingly post-modern, secular era, dominated by
a mixture of revived Humanism and the rise of Scientific Materialism,
this sad change should come as no surprise, though it is good to see
an occasional victory from time to time...
The word "Holiday" is being plastered over the word "Christmas" in order
that, supposedly, some folks can feel better about not "offending" those of other
faiths (Atheism included)... Which, of course, is a smoke-screen:
It's not at all about "offending", it's about removing any and all reminders that a
Savior has come to redeem Humanity from its sinfulness, a condition which
touches our very core and sabotages true Peace on Earth:
The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
Jeremiah 17:9
They exchanged the truth of God for a lie,
and worshiped and served created things
rather than the Creator...
Romans 1:25
counterfeit plays out in the real world... Consider these:
"Have a holly, jolly... HOLIDAY??"
"Put the ... HOLIDAY ... presents under the tree??"
"'Twas night before ... the HOLIDAYs??"
"I'm dreaming of a white ... HOLIDAY??"
The list, of course, could go on and on...
And check out the list of traditional Christmas tunes that would have to be completely
rubbed out of the Seasonal sections of our song books, movies, TV shows,
school recitals, and gatherings of all sorts this time of year:
O Holy Night
The First Noel
Joy to the World
O Come Emmanuel
Away in a Manger
O Come All Ye Faithful
Silent Night
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Angels We Have Heard on High
Little Drummer Boy
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
As these and other centuries-old traditions come under increasingly hostile attack,
perhaps they might also become ever more cherished by those of us who still believe
-- who will always believe -- that they are not only beautiful and meaninful,
but also TRUE.
.
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