To Recover CHRISTmas, Put the in the Cross!

self | 12/21/04 | LS

[LS]

I have to admit it snuck up on me. Oh, not the secularization of Christmas itself, but some of the tactics used to effect the de-Christianizing of the birth of the Messiah.

The first trick was, oddly enough, to get rid of Thanksgiving. This was done by pushing the "Christmas sale season" to somewhere around Halloween. By de-emphasizing Thanksgiving, the anti-religious people in our society managed to virtually get rid of a religious and patriotic holiday and replace it with a shopper's rush. Very clever. In the process, of course, this elevated the pagan "holiday" of Halloween to new heights---and no, I'm not a fuddy-duddy who refuses to "trick or treat," but it was brilliant how this celebration of witchcraft has become more important than the religious observance of the Pilgrims.

Next was the obvious one, and even I (duh) did not miss the de-Christianization of Christmas that has taken place. So-called "manger scenes" have been replaced with Santas and reindeer; "Merry Christmas" with "Happy Holidays," blah, blah, blah. You all know the symptoms, and I need not repeat the examples of discrimination against Christians here.

What we need is a solution. This may sound odd to some, perhaps out of place to others, but it's the only way I can see for Christians to CLEARLY take back the birth season of Christ . . .

Start putting the cross in all our displays, messages, and decor, and in every way link the birth of the Savior to His death and resurrection.

People have said for years, "We need to put Christ back in Christmas." Well, somehow that hasn't worked, in part, I think, because it really has lacked a symbol. The manger? A manger is only a tiny part of the story, incomplete without the conclusion. But an empty cross is complete in and of itself---it is a self contained symbol of the birth (because Someone had to be born to die there), death, and resurrection.

Years ago, Far Hills Baptist Church in Dayton used to do a "Singing Christmas Tree." I'm sure many of you have seen these: a giant "tree" is built and people are the ornaments, and they sing Christmas songs. It lights up. Except at the end, one special set of lights appeared on the tree---a giant cross. God's plan of salvation began in a garden and ended in a garden; it began with a tree and ended on the tree, and today, we celebrate it, in part, with a tree.

I'm not sure how, exactly, to do this---whether to start putting a cross out with the reindeer, or in Santa's sleigh, or however (suggestions are welcome), but it seems to me that the most effective way to get CHRIST back into Christmas is to get the CROSS into Christmas.

[susiek]

I realize that there are many people out there trying to change and obfuscate the American history of Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it seems to me that a good many people aren't buying it. As much as we can't sit back and get complacent, we should also recognize that the overly PC movement is turning a lot of people off and going so far as to finally get negative attention in many quarters. We shouldn't feel defeated, we should be encouraged that the PC bandwagon is showing its true colors and losing steam with many "regular folks."

[rockabyebaby]

IMO the most effective way to get CHRIST back into CHRISTmas is to stop soliciting stores that use phrases like Happy Holidays, or holiday shopping, or holiday music, etc. etc. etc. if people just stopped buying maybe stores would get the hint but unfortunately most Americans don't care enough to take a stand.

[tacticalogic]

So the way to save Christmas is to turn it into Easter?

[Conspiracy Guy]

The fight is underway and just by writing this, you are part of it. Keep up the good work and Merry Christmas.

My kids were raised on the fact that Jesus is real and the reason we celebrate and Santa is a symbol of the spirit of giving. They are planning to raise their children the same way. My kids had all the thrill of anticipating what they would get without having to learn about the lie later.

Without being told to they even talked about Santa to their friends and cousins as if he was real. Even when they were only 3 years old they both told their versions of the Birth of Christ whenever Santa was discussed. In a way I raised missionaries. Both my daughter and son are adult Christian Conservatives now.

[LS]

Honestly, I don't think that will work. They ALL are doing it.

[LS]

HEHEHE, yeah, and then we get to kick butt with Him!

Jessie Duplantis always says he gets so frustrated because God says "vengeance is mine," and Jessie says, "Can't you just speed it up a little, Lord?"

[EBH]

This was a few years ago, but I had been invited to one of those regifting Christmas parties. You were to bring a gift that someone had given you, a white elephant gift of little value, and it would be passed on to someone else. You were to wrap it and everything. This particular party was taking place the week before Christmas, although they usually happen in January.

I really felt silly re-gifting, so I went out to the mall to locate an inexpensive decent gift. I happened into the Christian Bookstore just to browse around. I found the perfect re-gift...it came in a simple box with the phrase, "The Reason for the Season." It was considered a Christmas ornament to be hung on the tree. I purchased the item for a nominal $5.00 at the time. Took it home and wrapped in the most lovely paper and a fancy bow.

At the party, everyone gathered in a circle and the gifts get passed around through a type of card-game. So, you may get to pick your gift, but someone with a better card can claim the gift from you and this goes on until all the cards are used. It was funny, watching everyone snatching at the prettiest gift with the fancy bow. Finally when the game was over, you get the open the gift you got stuck with. Everybody wanted to know what was in that pretty wrapped package that everybody wanted.

A humble silence fell across the guests as the pretty package was opened and inside was revealed a single iron nail like what was used to nail Jesus to the cross.

[LS]

Ah, yeah. Actually. In case you haven't noticed, there is a link.

[LS]

Very good!

BTW, if you haven't heard the group "Avalon," they have a phenomenal song called "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day," sung by Jody McBrae (sp?). It is awesome.

[bray]

Well said. How about the manger scene and replace the star with a lit cross??

Merry Christmas to Our Troops

[LS]

That's a good one!

[EBH]

If one looks it up on-line. It's called the Christmas Nail.

[Tax-chick]

Good post! Earlier in American history, it was understood that celebration of the birth of Jesus could not be separated from His death, resurrection, and return in glory.

Here are verses from a couple of *Christmas* hymns, from the 1854 "Southern Harmony," (available in a nice facsimile edition on Amazon.com :-).

"Who is this that comes from far,
With his garments dipped in blood?
Strong, triumphant traveler -
Is he man or is he God?

I that reign in righteousness,
Son of God and man I am;
Mighty to redeem your race,
Jesus is your Savior's name."
("Bozrah" melody)

"Come away to the skies, my beloved arise,
And rejoice in the day thou wast born;
On this festival day, come exulting away,
And with singing to Zion return."
("Exultation" melody)

I have two full CD's of traditional Thanksgiving music, too. Remember "Come, ye thankful people, come!" and "We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing!"? Christians need to reclaim religious observances from the shopping morass.

And dang it, I want Veterans' Day back!

[rockabyebaby]

The place I work has a Christmas tree in the lobby with an Angel on top, last week the Angel came down, with some discreet inquiries I found out "someone was offended and complained" a Santa now sits on top of the tree. There are over 50 employees here, one complains the rest suffer, what happened to majority rules??? HR will not move on this - they don't want a law suit.

[Leo Carpathian]

Saint Nicholas was replaced by Fatso in the red jump suit. Saint who was bringing gifts to poor children was transformed to mascot of shopping in the malls.

Merry Christmas and peace on Earth to all people of good will.

[LS]

Absolutely, and as you may know, the "candy cane" was originally symbolic of Jesus' purity and blood.

[tacticalogic]

Ah, yeah. Actually. In case you haven't noticed, there is a link.

Okay. So do we turn Easter into Christmas?

[cvq3842]

I agree. I think much of the public is sick of the far-left in all its incarnations (George Soros, Michael Moore, ACLU, MSM, etc.) and the tide is turning, slightly. Even small victories are victories. and of course the election results reveal a lot . . .