In The News

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A recent Lifeway survey revealed that 79 percent of people believe that Christmas should be more about Jesus, and 70 percentage would like it to have a more Christian focus. That is encouraging and better than I thought. It goes to show that again, like in many cases, there is a relatively small minority making all the noise and acting like it is a bigger deal than it really is. This group of people does not have to celebrate Christmas, nor should Christians expect them to. Their heart is not in it, and they do not know on a personal level the Jesus of Bethlehem. It means nothing to them. This minority of individuals has a perfect right NOT to celebrate Christmas, but they DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO DESECRATE it for those who want to.

The survey further noted that about 1 out of 3 people found saying, "Happy Holidays," to be offensive. That is really quite a large number when you think about it. Most offensive to people is replacing Christmas with "xmas," at 39 percent. That reinforces the responses to the other questions on the survey that indicate people want Jesus and a Christian message to stay.

As stated earlier, there is a small minority of people who expect the rest of the population to bow to their wishes. These people need to grow up! This survey doesn't tell us everything, but it does tell us something. Those who are opposed to Christmas do NOT represent the voice of the people. So, in this case, "Happy Holidays" is a clear loser to "Merry Christmas." Hallelujah!!

Another question was how many people believe that God's Son, Jesus, existed BEFORE being born in Bethlehem. Fifty-six percent responded affirmatively. Even though it is slightly over half, l think it is very significant because this is a key Christian doctrine. Jesus did not become God when he was born. He already was God before his birth. There is not only a lot of biblical support for the Trinity of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but this teaching is a thread all through the Bible. The Son was simply manifested in human form. In our finite minds we cannot understand how this works, but that does not mean it is not true. God came down to meet us where we are in our human condition. Christmas is the greatest love story ever told. The people who have received Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior are the only ones who know the true meaning of Christmas. To the rest it is only another holiday.

One final thought. There are a lot of people who sing the Christmas carols just because they are part of the holiday celebration. How many of them really know what they are singing about? Carols are full of theology about God's Son, and salvation. In fact, the carols all taken together give a clear presentation of the Gospel. May their heart enter into a personal relationship with the One about whom they are singing.

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