A little reminder...

The 1st Christmas Card of 2011  Twas 2 months before Christmas, Halloween had just passed, when all thoughts turned to holidays coming up fast! The PC Police had taken away all mention of Christmas - a "religious" holiday. The children were told by their schools not to sing about Shepherds and Mangers and Angels and Kings. It might be offensive, the teachers would say, & it's now called Winter Break anyway! It's not  about Christ, or what He came to bring. (That old fashioned notion is outdated and boring!) So get busy and write down your long list of "needs" from the latest high tech toys to designer jeans!  Black Friday is coming, we must check the deals & buy all those gifts and pretend they are "steals". The shoppers will come with their cash, checks and credit, Pushing & shoving just to get the "right" present. The Carols we loved and waited to hear have all been replaced with Santa, Frosty, & reindeer! The store clerks are frenzied, the crowds rude and rushed, & the lines are unending, though we complain and fuss! But Something is changing, there's something quite odd! Is the only "offender" the true Living God? While speaking of Christmas remains a "taboo", other religions' holidays are unanimously approved! Retailers promote Ramadan and Kwanzaa -   could it be that the goal's an "anti-Christian" agenda? If there's protest it's touted as crass bigotry -   The "enlightened" push Toleration & Di-ver-si-ty! In both House & Senate, there arose a great clatter To eliminate Jesus, in all public matters. The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded The "reason for the season" lost before it got started. Nativity scenes must remain packed away, replaced by a Santa, reindeer & a sleigh. "Church & state" must keep separate, they say so the courts all mandate that it must be this way... And we spoke not a word, as they trampled our rights.  We gave in much too quickly, too "Christian" to fight. So we enjoy 'Winter Break', and the "season of cheer" but remember the true meaning of this time of year . Don't give in to pressure. It's still OK to say MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holidays ! It is Christ's birthday after all and though your efforts may seem quite small this little witness, this change of phrase,   will be to God as a shout of praise!!   "Merry Christmas, friends, & Happy Birthday, Jesus!!"