December 24, 2013

Here we are once again, smack-dab in the middle of the holiday season .... and isn't it so joyful! ...... Road rage .. mall mayhem .. sneaker slugfests .. advertising blitzes .. personal debt skyrocketing .. increased personal & family stress & anxiety ... having to spend time with people you really don't like ....  Isn't it all so joyous?!  ... and think of this ... the one that tops it all off for me is "Black Friday." ... Now we as Christians all know what the color black stands for ... darkness, sin .... the opposite of light. .... Well? ....

Of course the real tragedy is that the true meaning has all but disappeared from our society. ... In fact, if satanists & atheists had their way, the mere mention of Jesus Christ would be totally outlawed!...  I never thought I would hear myself say this, but if the nation continues on its current path, Christ will be against the law in this land. .... The 'post-Christian' America is now upon us, and when you stop for a moment and look, all that is taking place in the public square is a stark reminder of this truth.

I promised myself when I sat down to write this piece that I would stay positive and not rail against all the chaos & commotion of what is taking place all around, but here I go, ranting and raving about all that is wrong ... so let me stop and share this poem I received from a close friend ... It is a pretty good summation of what is going on ... hope you 'enjoy' it as much as I did ......

   Twas two months before Christmas - when all through the land
   Not a Christian was praying - not taking a stand
   Why the PC police - had taken away
   The reason for Christmas - no one could say

   The children were told - by their schools not to sing
   About shepherds and wise men - and angels and things
   It might hurt people's feelings - the teachers would say
   December 25th - is just a 'holiday'

   Yet the shoppers were ready - with cash, checks and credit
   Pushing folks down to the floor - just to get it
   CD's from Madonna - an x-box, an I-pod
   Something was changing - something quite odd

   Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
   In hopes to sell books - by Franken and Fonda
   As Targets were hanging - their trees upside down
   At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found

   At K-mart and Staples - and Penny's and Sears
   You won't hear the word Christmas - it won't touch your ears
   Inclusive, sensitive - di-ver-si-ty
   Are words that were used - to intimidate me

   Now Daschle, now Darden - now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
   On Boxer, on Rather - on Kerry, on Clinton
   At the top of the Senate- there rose such a clatter
   To eliminate Jesus - in all public matter

   And we spoke not a word - as they took away our faith
   Forbidden to speak - of salvation and grace
   The true gift of Christmas - was exchanged and discarded
   The reason for the season - stopped before it started

   So as we celebrate 'winter break' - under your 'dream tree'
   Sipping your Starbucks - listen to me
   Choose your words carefully - choose what you say
   Shout Merry Christmas! - not happy holiday!

A bit political. I realize, but hey ... many of the words in the poem ring truthful ......

OK, I also promised myself that I would keep it short this week because we are all so busy 'getting it all done' .... and I realize that most of you are praising God for the 'shortness' ... so let me just say this .... I wish each of you a truly joyful & happy time as you celebrate the birth of the One who came and freed us all from the bondage of sin ..... Jesus Christ.
...... I pray that as each of you and your families join together, you will experience only happiness & unity ... a time of refreshing and renewal .......  We know this, we will return to the reality of the days we live in soon enough! ...... So ...

Until next time,

Red