Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended,
That man to judge Thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by Thine own rejected,
O most afflicted.
~ Johann Heerman, 1630
I know the chief facet most people focus on regarding Christ’s birth has been the peace on earth and good will toward men stuff, but if you dig around in the gospels a tad you’ll quickly see that the “peace on earth” thing is an ancillary perk to the main reason the second person of the godhead donned an earth suit and decided to hang out with us dunderheads. The core cause that necessitated Jesus’ incarnation was our jacked up carnality. Yep, Hambone, it was our sin. There, I said it. Sin. Yours, mine and ours.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18
The hatred and lawsuits and hysteria over Christmas displays really have nothing to do with the First Amendment or “Freedom from Religion.”
In the most basic of evangelical terms, it’s about conviction.
John Newton, who wrote the words to Amazing Grace (and as quoted in the movie) said, “Although my memory’s fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.”
Those who can’t, or won’t, admit that don’t like to be reminded.
But those of us who understand need, and long, to be reminded daily.
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[…] But here’s the thing about the “War on Christmas.” As I wrote last year, […]