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Okay - unless you've spent the last month outside the States, you've heard at least a half dozen news stories about the "assault on Christmas." Departments stores, public schools, and several municipalities have removed any mention of Christmas in favor of a more secular representation of the holidays. They aren't "Christmas" trees, they're holiday trees. They aren't "Christmas" cards, they're holiday cards. Signs no longer read, "Merry Christmas;" they say "Happy Holidays." Even the lyrics of the most beloved carols are being edited to remove any mention of Jesus. "Silent night. Holy night" has been altered to "Silent night. Winter night" at one public elementary school.
All of this is of course evidence of the creeping secularization of our society. What disturbs many people of faith is that this season it seems especially virulent and determined. There's almost an anger associated with it; a kind of hostility toward all things 'Christian' that appears frightening in light of historical persecution. There is a legitimate reason to be concerned about the rabid secularization we see at work this Christmas season. But what we need to be on guard against is an over-reaction. We need to be cautious about those on "our side" who would draw attention to the influence of secularization with in impure motive. There are those who publicly decry removing Christ from Christmas, who privately dellight at the occurence of such things. Let me explain. There are dozens of groups, most small and local, a few large and national, who've made it their mission to notify the faith community of social problems. These are the ones who regularly tell us about what Hollywood is cooking up, what the mainstream media is doing, and how government is acting. They highlight and chronicle the expanding reach of secularization. And with every newsletter they send out warning us about the latest threat to the Freedom of Religion, is an appeal for support, a request for a contributioin so they can continue their all-important mission as "watchman on the wall." Nothing brings in the dough like a scandal. When they have clear and juicy stories to tell, it motivates people to give. So while they wag their finger at and decry the gutting of spiritual significance in the holidays, really, they delight in the fact that it's news items like this that motivate people to give. Yep - these groups USE these things that bother people of faith as fund-raising tools. In so doing, they often bend and distort the news to make it more shocking. They present it in such a way that the problem appears more wide-spread than it really is. Don't get me wrong! Let me ask: Is there a problem with secularization? YES! Is it becoming more virulent and nasty? YES! Should we be concerned? YES! But at the same time, don't be fooled by those who would use all of this as a way to make merchandise of the Body of Christ. Listen carefully to HOW the news is reported. Ask 'why' it's being presented the way it is. Is the character of Jesus being brought through in the form the news is coming? What appeal is being attached to the news; what action is the reporter suggesting in light of the news? More on this later . . .
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