As in the last several years, the advent of Christmas brings on the anti-Christmas campaigners. Last year, one public school administrator tried to prevent students from wearing red and green. Last week, a Rhode Island Christmas tree farmer who had donated the annual Christmas tree for the State Capitol threatened to take it back after the governor said he would be referring to it as a “holiday tree” at the lighting ceremony tonight. In other words, he may turn the lights on “a” tree, but it won’t be a Christmas tree.
Turning off Christmas, as it were, is a fitting parallel to the increasing darkness that is covering the western world (U.S. and Europe) with anti-Christian sentiment. For those of us who has been alive for more than a half-century, this increasing moral darkness is very real. But sadly, the millennial generation have so accustomed themselves to this present darkness, they think it is normal.
Can you imagine how dark it is going to be even five or ten years from now? If you are you afraid the darkness is going to snuff out the light, don’t worry. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light because Jesus gave life to everything that was created, and His life has brought light to everyone, and His light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will never extinguish it.” (NLT, Isaiah 9:2; John 1:4-5) They may turn off the Christmas lights, but they’ll never extinguish the Light of Christ!
Greg, this question doesn't have anything to do with today's posting but with one from several days ago. Can you please tell me what it is "black Friday" and "cyber Monday"? Thank you so much. :)
ReplyDeleteGreg,
ReplyDeleteWe are increasingly being confronted to an environment hostile to our "Christian" traditions. But Paul tells us that there is still no law against the fruit of the Spirit!This fruit is seen, heard and felt by others as we live out loud the uncreated Life of God. The people of this world are longing for an impartation of life that can only come when we act and react from a center other than from ourselves.
We therefore need to be light in the midst of darkness, life in the midst of death, salt in the midst of a decaying society, and a source of blessing in the midst of a cursed world. Much of what has long passed for a distinctly "Christian" expression is needing to be replaced with that which has heaven's stamp all over it, not our tradition's.
Your thoughts?
Stan
Hi Patricia
ReplyDeleteI wondered if there was any counterpart in Spain. But "black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" are the two biggest shopping days of the year, coming right after Thanksgiving, entering the Christmas shopping season. In the past, Black Friday was the day after Thanksgiving, but the retailers keep moving it up earlier, and this year many stores were open on Thanksgiving Day, or opened at midnight. The sales are so good that some shoppers line up at the stores (or camp out in front of the stores) for hours or days, to be in front of the line when the store opens!!
Greg :)
Hi Stan
ReplyDeleteChristmas has become so 'secularized,' it's hard to believe even the most ardent atheist could oppose it. Christmas trees and other "NON"-Christian things are just traditions and may or may not have any meaning for Christ anymore; that is to say, it may be personally meaningful to some Christians.
We have to face the fact we are a plualistic society and things are changing. Personally, I won't fight to keep the word 'Christmas' instead of "holiday" because there are bigger fish to fry.
Greg
I think it is ironic that they think they are buffeting Christianity when they don't allow Santa or Christmas trees into places.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes the Millenials are growing up in a completely pluralistic society, but as the pendulum swings wide pluralistically, it will also stir the fire of true Christianity. We are in for one bumpy ride, but I'm in it to win. :)
Thank you Greg for the explanation. We don't have that in Spain. Just one more question. Why are they called Black Friday (it reminded me of Friday 13, kind of scary) and Cyber Monday (it sounds like cybernetics, doesn't it). :)
ReplyDelete"Black Friday" indicates the point at which retailers begin to turn a profit, or are "in the black".
ReplyDeletecyber Monday is the same as black friday, but online sales.
ReplyDelete