MY VIEWS OF CHRISTMAS By Don Henderson, December 6, 2023
The past few years much of Christianity has been under attack. Prayer has been taken out of schools, crosses have been removed, The 10 commandments signs have been done away with, Nativity scenes have been removed. Why? I believe it is the battle of the Atheists against anything having to do with God and Christ. These are indeed the Anti Christs that the bible speaks of.
I grew up with Christmas as a big part of my life; in fact, some of my earliest memories have to do with Santa coming to visit me. Of course, later, as all children do, we learned the truth, but what an exciting time for a kid like me. When Santa came it was the only time of the year when we got Apples and nuts and special candies. I can still remember the smell of those Christmas morning apples. Because we grew up poor, apples were not part of our affordable menu. The other thing I remember was my Granddad and I during the early part of December, going to look for a Christmas tree in the woods near our house. After we picked the special tree and brought it home, we had fun decorating it. Granddaddy nailed a board on the bottom for support so it would stand up straight and placed it in our living room where decorating began. This was the time of the year when my Grandmother would make her chocolate covered cherries and other Christmas goodies. The night of the 24th was a special time when our family would gather around our tree to exchange gifts and my Granddad would read about the birth of Jesus. During the days prior to school being let out for the Christmas holidays (no Winter Break) school was a place for celebration. Many of the rooms would have a Christmas tree and the choir would be singing Christmas music. It was a time when the entire school participated in one way or the other. Link to the 1955 Malakoff Tiger Rag https://blakehart.com/TigerRag1955.htm
All the Churches, but not the Church of Christ, had some sort of Christmas program. There was even a special program, usually at school, led by the local Churches. Of course, my congregation did not participate as a group, but my Aunt Martha (when she was about 12) often did readings and my Granddad was called upon to lead prayer. No kind of celebration was ever in the Church of Christ, but Christmas was celebrated throughout the community. This is the way I grew up, loving Christmas and what the true meaning which represents…The Birth of Christ.
Why shouldn’t we celebrate it, the Angels did.
Because of the attack by the left, schools now have no Christmas programs because it might offend someone. Who might be offended, Atheists? If you look around you will see far less Nativity scenes and decorations for Christmas of any kind. The Atheists are winning by eliminating God and Christ from the public. This is why I am adamant in my quest to keep Christ in Christmas. No, not in Church, but in the public view in schools, in public venues and throughout the land. Christmas is a time when people are in a gift-giving mood. It is a time when our mood should be like Christmas all the time, not just once a year. During this time of the year, many people show what the hosts proclaimed: “Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men”.
Luke 2.7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke 2: 9 And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were afraid.
Luke 2:10 And the Angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luke 2: 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord
Luke: 2 12 And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God, and saying, Luke 14. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
It is my belief that God can turn man’s creations into something good. According to history, “Christmas” comes from the term Christos Masse and though celebrations had been going on before, a Roman Catholic in 354 declared December 25 as the day to celebrate Christ’s birth. If you look at the time of the year, there is no way Christ could have been born at this time because it is the rainy season and the Shepherds would not have been in the field at that time. There are many celebrations that the Catholics are engaged in, many of which are contrary to the Bible, for example: their praying to Mary, Mother of Jesus. Can we discount Christmas because a Catholic was the origin of the day for celebration? I think not. No, we are not to celebrate within a congregation anything that is not instructed, but there are many things we do outside of Church that we don’t do inside of Church. Would it be a violation to play a musical instrument outside of Church? Could you sing with a group that plays instruments without sinning? Is it OK to attend a football game and listen to a band play or play in a band? None of these would be OK in Church Worship. Just a few examples of what you might do outside of Church that we in the Church of Christ would not have as a part of our Church Worship. I believe anything or anyone that promotes Christ should not in itself be condemned.
Mark 9:.38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. MARK 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. With this verse I believe Jesus is saying if I am being promoted, it is NOT wrong.
So, I say MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
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