FEARING THE CHRIST OF CHRISTMAS

Am I imagining things or has the Grinch index gone up a notch this year?

No bell ringers outside of Target. No Christmas songs about baby Jesus in school. Kids are home for "winter break" rather than "Christmas vacation". My favorite coffee shop even asked me if I would like "holiday blend" rather than the usual "Christmas blend."

Christmas seems to highlight the fact that some in our society have a Godaphobia complex. Why all the hysteria and humbug about the true history of Christmas?

As I reflect on this, I have to wonder. What is so threatening about celebrating the arrival of a baby? What could possibly be so intimidating about observing the birth of Christ that the politically correct want to deny historical fact and reshape our nation's heritage?

Why are some so fearful? Even outraged?

Are we anxious that a baby will make us change? I've seen many people embrace Jesus and change for the better. They have become better parents, given up drugs, settled down and become responsible people. To be perfectly honest, I've never met anyone who truly embraced Christ and regretted it. I have, however, seen people embrace 'religion' and later find it distasteful, boring, and restricting. I've also met many people who wish they had accepted the Christmas child sooner than they did.

Do we worry that if we acknowledge Christ we will have to give up something? Many have given up drugs, crime, cheating on their taxes and spouses, prejudice, racism, gossip, porn, and a host of other vices and been the better for it. They have found true peace by welcoming the One born to be the Prince of Peace.

So why all the Christophobia at Christmas?

In a society that supposedly values tolerance and diversity we find that the Christ of Christmas is not always tolerated. I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer but it kind of seems like a double standard.

If some regard the Christmas story as a mere myth, then why all the objection? The power of their protest actually lends creditability to the fact that Jesus did come and the world has been the better for it ever since. The calendars we use are daily reminders that time stopped and started all over again with the coming of Christ. The very fact we call this a "holiday", i.e., "holy day" tells us that something holy has happened. Why would people even use the name of Jesus to swear if there wasn't something to Him?

Things really haven't changed that much in 2000 years. When the baby Jesus first arrived King Herod was so disturbed he wanted to kill him. He wasn't sure as to the baby's whereabouts so he had all baby boys murdered in Bethlehem and its vicinity. Better to kill all the babies than to let the world think that one of these kids was special. Like today, we can't acknowledge the uniqueness of Christ so therefore nobody should sing about Him. It's a mentality motivated by fear not fact. Unfortunately, the spirit of Herod still lives in government while the songs and spirit of Jesus' birth have been hushed.

When your personal identity is threatened, it's easier to silence a miracle than to embrace it.

The message to Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds regarding the miracle of the Christ child is the same message the world needs to hear today "Fear not!" You've got nothing to lose!

(This above was "borrowed" from www.grantsgraceland.org. I thought it was great, and wanted to share with you!)