Why the World Rejects "Christmas"
By Jason Carlson
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The <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Holiday season is in full swing.  Thanksgiving is recently behind us and Christmas is just around the corner.  The malls are full, the ovens are baking, and the trees are being lit.  And yes, once again, amidst all of the holiday cheer, the Secularists of our world are desperately trying to distract us from the true meaning behind all of the merriment...  "Merry Christmas" has given way to "Happy Holidays"; Christmas trees are now being sold under the label of "Holiday" trees; Santa is sitting in the manger and Rudolph's nose has replaced the Star of Bethlehem.  Christmas is no more, but don't fret, "Happy Holidays" are here!  "Santa Claus is coming to town!"
 
Yes friends, Christmas is under its annual attack from the Secularists… but why?  Why?  Because "Christmas" is about Christ; and that's just too religious for a scientifically enlightened, postmodern, pluralistic, multi-culturally sensitive culture.  Don't bother us with religious meanings and all of that stuff about Jesus' birth, shepherds, and wise men; it's the "Happy Holidays" season and we've got presents to shop for!
 
No, the world is not interested in the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.[i]  And the Secularists are doing everything they can to erase the entire Christian basis for this holiday season.  However, no matter how much they try to deny it, "Jesus is the reason for the season."
 
The reason we celebrate Christmas is to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ, God incarnate who came to save the world from sin and death.  Before Christ, humanity was lost in our sinfulness, without a savior, without hope.  But not now, now God has provided a way for His beloved creation to be saved.  This is why we celebrate Christmas! 
 
Yet, the true meaning of Christmas is just too much for the Secularists to handle.  For as soon as we recognize that the only reason for why we have a Christmas season is because of Jesus Christ, then suddenly we are faced with a whole host of profound questions, questions that the Secularists would just assume avoid:  Who was Jesus Christ?  What was Jesus' life mission?  Why did Jesus willingly die on the cross?  What is so unique about Jesus Christ in a world of religions?  Etc…
 
So, rather than face the reality of why we even celebrate the Christmas season (and the profundity that comes with it), the Secularists push Christ aside and attempt to keep the celebration going without him... "Happy Holidays", but ultimately find the season to be unfulfilling, too expensive, and lonelier than you'd think, even when surrounded by family and friends. 
 
Christmas is more than shopping, more than presents, more than food, even more than spending time with family and friends.  Christmas is the celebration of the greatest gift ever given to humanity, God come in human flesh as the perfect atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Without recognizing Jesus Christ, everything else that comes with the Holiday season is ultimately meaningless.  And in our recognition of Jesus Christ, suddenly the Christmas season, the presents, the food, our family and friends have meaning, real meaning, and ultimate meaning.  Jesus is why we celebrate Christmas! 
 
Merry Christmas from Christian Ministries International.
 

[i] Don't bother writing me to tell me all about the Pagan origins of Christmas, Christmas trees, December 25, etc.  I've heard it all before and I'm not interested.  For the Christian, Christmas is about Jesus Christ and Christ alone.