December 21, 2007

Christmas, Just what is it about anymore?

By

Chuck Adkins

As I approach this Holiday season, I find myself compelled to write. I will admit that these Holiday seasons do not hold the magic that they once possessed with me. I have many fond memories of my childhood, growing up here in southwest Detroit in the 1980’s.

Christmas time at my grandmother’s house was such beloved time. My cousins would come down from Homer, Michigan; I did not see them much, only during Holidays or usually during the summer, when they would come for a visit.

Those were memorable times. As far as I was concerned, we were millionaires. The food, the smells, it was amazing.My grandmother’s cooking was, as far as I was concerned, something equal to what one would get in Americas finest restaurants. Possibly, more so, because there was one special ingredient, that one could not find in a restaurant, in a million years, if they tried, and that was love.

That is right Love. The kind of love that is mentioned in the Holy Bible, you know, that annoying book that the liberals hate? The kind of love that Israel’s and the World’s Messiah, Jesus Christ spoke of, when he said this:

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:34-35)

That word love in the original Greek language is agapao? or as some call it agape, that is an unconditional love. The kind of love that says, I do not care what you say or do, I am still going to love you, no matter what. That is just how my grandmother was. She loved all of us kids. I am sure that there were times when we kids tried her patience or dare I say it? Her faith. However, I can honestly say, there was not ever an instance where my grandmother ever had to severely discipline any of us. My grandmother laid down the law with her daughters, she told them, “If I ever have to get on to any of these kids, I will not watch them.” She never had to. My Mother always gave me solemn orders, I was never to act up at grandma’s house, or else I would get my hide beat when I got home. Given those conditions, I was never keen on doing anything foolish at her house. This was in fact, living proof that discipline and corporal punishment worked in the family home. Something that makes Liberal cringe and would make someone like liberal child “doctor” Benjamin Spock roll over in his shallow grave. Thank you for ruining the 1960’s.

Another thing that greatly dismays me is the fact that there are people out there, who want to take the Christ out of this time of the year. As a born again Christian of 25 years, this is most bothersome. I am not saying that we should discount other Religious Holidays during this time. However, for Liberal’s who want an Anti-Christian mandate passed, that people do not say “Merry Christmas,” instead replacing it with a very shallow, “Happy Holidays.” Has the world gone crazy? Can someone please tell me when it became a federal crime, to wish someone a greeting that coincides with a Religious holiday that one chooses to observe? This is a textbook example of Political correctness gone horribly amuck.

Of course, the liberals with their atheistic agenda want no religion, no family values, no freedom, none of that. They want a socialist society with no God, no love, nothing, just godless abandonment. This is the same idiot crowd who believes that we evolved from monkeys. This is a science that has been proven wrong, many times over. Just like global warming.

I do, admittedly, at times, with all the commercialization of this wonderful holiday, find myself asking; just what is this Holiday about anymore? When I find myself asking this question, I turn to the one thing that cuts through all the obfuscation, and that is the book that I hold dearest to my heart, The Holy Bible.

This, My friends, is what Christmas is truly about:

Matthew 1:18-25

(18) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

(19) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

(20) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

(21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

(22) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

(23) Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

(24) Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

(25) And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 2:8-21

(8) And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

(9) And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

(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.

(11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

(12) And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

(13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

(14) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

(15) And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

(16) And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

(17) And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

(18) And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

(19) But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

(20) And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

(21) And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Anything other than this is just crass commercialism of a sacred Holiday.

I wish everyone, a very Merry Christmas and Happy and Safe New Year.