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Written by Robert L. Sullivan
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Thursday, 18 November 2010 19:15 |
Maybe we have! How so? When you or I send our cards out to our family and friends at Christmas, what is on its face? A snow scene?
A picture of Santa Claus? Or a picture of our children and grandchildren? For several years now I have noticed that today it isn't the Christ child or manger scene on the face of most cards. The worship of our children or grandchildren seems to have replaced the Christ child! More and more families seem to be finding that Christmas is a great opportunity to send their most recent photographs of each other, and particularly their young, to one another as a Christmas card. It is like a time for catching up. Have you noticed? Have you sent such cards and messages?
Another change — what we put on our lawns at Christmas.
A manger scene used to be the focus of our displays. Now it is almost anything else. Deer are popular, as are candy canes — or a big Santa and Mrs. Claus with a few penguins thrown in. As Christians we have the opportunity to keep the focus of Christmas on the amazing gift God gave us on that day Jesus was born. What we display on our lawns or in our windows is our witness to our neighborhood of what we hold important at Christmas.
And then there is going to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. For some it has become too much trouble and there is so little time, what with last-minute preparations, and the bother of getting the children ready and out in the cold of night. For some, the 7:30 service adds more stress, and God forbid one might have to stay up to attend midnight worship. But isn't it interesting that there is always enough time in one's schedule to stay up for a New Year's celebration at midnight and beyond?
Remember how, a few years ago, someone started the idea — for brevity's sake — of shortening the word Christmas to Xmas. That did cause an alarmed response on the part of some Christians. It was an opening shot heard around the world. But it was only the beginning of changes to come.
I am sure you cannot be blind to the fact that our secular society is slowly eating away at what, for us Christians, is one of our two most sacred and holy days. We may not be able to stop the erosion for the present, but we can be darn sure we don't help it along.
I have always liked the bumper sticker that reads, "Wise men still seek him." I've pt it on my car in the past. I also like the one that says, "Jesus is the reason for the season."
Who is taking Christ out of Christmas? Never let it be said, "We are!"
ROBERT L. SULLIVAN is honorably retired, living in Marmora, N.J.
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