All across the land, happy package-laden people revel in the joys of another Christmas season. Retailers gear up for these six weeks that follow Thanksgiving, giving meaning to the term, “Black Friday.”
All that really means is that stores hope to turn all their ledgers--which to hear merchants tell it, sport a modest amount of red ink, or debt--into profit or, as the saying goes, “in the black.”
But black or red ink is not what Christmas is really all about, and we all know this, don’t we? Surely, most do, but as to why we have this U. S. federal holiday has little to do with “X-Box’s” and "Tickle" me Elmo dolls.
But it has everything to do with Christ; for it is He that gives the holiday its meaning, even in the most non-threatening of terms. But the commercialization of Christmas, thereby creating much confusion--and malice among some--regarding the day as the birth of Jesus Christ, seems to get more obfuscated every year.
December 25… no, the entire seasonal holiday of Christmas, has become a political and sadly religious shell game of sorts as “offended” individuals and groups such as the ACLU (who love Christmas like a bleeding ulcer loves stress) have gone well out of their way to promote Christian bigotry in the form of First Amendment violations
But as we see, even mere individuals carry real sway over a society that has become an appendage of political correctness—even at the cost of Christmas or Christ Himself.
In Seattle-Tacoma International airport recently, Rabbi Elazar Bogomilsky complained loudly enough to officials that Christmas trees in the airport lobby offended him; principally because there were no menorahs to accompany said Christmas trees. Naturally, the good Rabbi said the magic words: law suit.
He insisted on an “8-foot menorah to be installed and have a public lighting ceremony. He also threatened to sue if the menorah wasn’t put up, and gave a two-day deadline to remove the trees.”
Well, trees, Christmas or otherwise, are not what a Christian would call a religious symbol that personifies the birth of Christ. In fact, Christmas trees, if one wants to get right down to it, are more inclined to reflect a Pagan ritual than anything to do with Christianity.
In this vein, Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman--beloved and excepted as they are by almost all--are not the reason for the season. December 25 is probably not even the actual birth date of Jesus. But that is what the Federal Government had mandated in 1870 when making Christmas a federally recognized holiday, thereby making any other date officially mote, as it is “the” date.
To this writer, Rabbi Bogomilsky, who is undoubtedly wed to his faith as I am to mine, looked to be offended, and so he was. The mere existence of Christmas tress in the lobby of a Seattle airport is threatening to no one, and exalts no religion over another.
They are trees with lights and red ribbons, folks, not Crucifixes and mangers with the Christ-child inside.
So what was the outcome of this entire hubbub over this perceived degradation of the rabbi’s culture? The airport removed those trees quicker than one could say “God” in the public square, rather than capitulate to the rabbi’s demands--thereby stopping future legions of other “offended” parties who would surely demand their representation of the holiday be displayed, no matter what it really meant to them.
So, now there is nothing. Is everybody happy now? Well, no, but maybe in this latest act of “the world revolves around my sensibilities, Christmas be damned,” maybe we can all start to see past the ribbons, stores, lights, and yes, Christmas trees.
Maybe we can remember, and even celebrate, the true reason for the season, and that is the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
There is nothing at all wrong with Christmas, as it truly brings out—as Charles Dickens Displayed in his 1843 English classic, “A Christmas Carol,” as a holiday emphasizing family, goodwill, and compassion. It is, absolutely, the best time of the year.
But Christmas is more; and it is so much more. It is about Jesus, and not just at Christmas, but all throughout the year. Indeed, Christ is born upon this day, but He is being born all year round in the hearts of those who choose to answer His knocking upon it, and let Him in.
For if you do, it is Christmas everyday, as Christ will provide for you the greatest treasure of all, His eternal love.
Indeed, ‘tis the season to be jolly, and all the wonderful and fun trappings that come with it. But it is also--and primarily--the season of Jesus Christ and his remarkable birth. It is a time to recognize the fact that God gave mankind His only son so that we may live eternal.
So Merry Christmas, one and all. May the season treat you well. But the greatest gift that we all received was given to us without packages, boxes, or tags. This Christmas season, remember that a savior was born, and He is Jesus Christ.
In addition to having written for WEBCommentary, Marie's writings have appeared on many sites, including The New Media Journal, ChronWatch, and Commonconservative, to name a few. Marie is no longer writing online commentary.
Marie's refreshing and spirited point of view is reflected in her writings, genuine and spiritual opinions regarding God and his teachings. Marie is a practicing Christian, a nurse, a student of the Bible, and a patriot. Many of Marie's articles are a reflection of her great admiration for those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. She is an advocate for the troops, as well as the Blue and Gold Star Mothers of America, and their families. Marie has appeared as a guest with political talk show host Bruce Elliott on WBAL-1090 AM.
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Marie Jon' is a political/religious-based writer.