The War on Christmas
And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. (Heb. 12:27-28)
God is the great sifter Who incessantly labors to remove those things that are easily shaken. He is the great thresher who shall thoroughly purge His threshing floor (Jer. 51:33). Malachi declares that God sits as the refiner's fire Who purifies His people to make them a righteous offering (Mal. 3:3).
When the shaking is complete, what remains is the kingdom which cannot be moved. That is the kingdom we are receiving. It is sure, steadfast, and eternal.
Let It Be Shaken
Contemporary Christianity has chosen the oddest of battle fronts. Even now there is much ado about the "banning of Christmas" - as if the kingdom of God would topple with the stifling of Christmas carols. Yet, this is the chosen front of many Christian activists. I understand their concern. There is no doubt a purposive plan by a select group of secular activists to disassemble the public vestiges of Christian tradition. But, I am not moved. Life does not consist of holidays. Especially ones that were never commanded by God. I know that it is the sovereign God that orchestrates world affairs and He will not hesitate to purge those things we hold most dear.
If the American version of Christmas can be "shaken," then let it be shaken. Our desire should be for the kingdom that cannot be moved. God promises that what cannot be shaken will remain. If this American mixture of Santa, baby Jesus, stressful shopping, and debt-spending is what we're defending, I question our comprehensive understanding of the purposes of God. If this holiday hodgepodge can be shaken, then let us embrace the sovereign dealings of the God Who is refining us into pure silver, while establishing a more solid footing for His immovable kingdom.
Can we celebrate Christmas? I'll leave that up to you, the self-governing individual. That's also a point that's often missed. What's at stake is nativity scenes on public property, not whether we can say "Merry Christmas" to each other. Not even the ACLU is suggesting that... yet.
I grew up with Christmas; and for our household, it truly was the most wonderful time of the year. I enjoy the family gathering, the food, and yes, the showering of my loved ones with gifts and goodies. Yet, the Lord only commanded us to perpetually celebrate His death. He did not command the celebration of His birth. His death is redemptive and an aspect of our spiritual transaction. It must be celebrated with the bread and the wine that purges us from impurity.
His birth, on the other hand, is to be announced as the angels originally proclaimed it to the lowly shepherds who led their sheep through that splendid evening. Our message is "peace on earth and good will toward men." Yet, His birth carries another message to the neo-Herods of the state: "there is another king!"
The Culture War is getting a bit tiring for me. That's usually an indication that my works are "in the flesh." The angels said, "peace on earth and good will toward men." Can we get there? I'm not sure it's coming any time soon. The political climate is beyond tense -- it's volatile. I'm sure I've contributed to the hostility. So have my opponents.
The Culture War may be more of an illusion. Something intended to occupy the Left and Right while the "Herods" tighten the grip of statist control. Is America's problem the fact that Bush has ties to the Religious Right, or that he's a front man for the military-industrial complex? Even Eisenhower acknowledged that undue power taken by the military-industrial establishment would have spiritual ramifications:
This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every Statehouse, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.
Herod, the tyrant, is my concern. That's also who Mary and Joseph sought to evade. My concern is not Christmas or Intelligent Design. My concern is basic freedom. My concern is the future of a free America. The rapid transformation of our once free republic may put the brakes on the agendas of everyone.
Christmas is about the birth of another King. One with more authority than Herod or Caesar. Now, both ancient Israel, as well as ancient Rome, lie in ruins. The spiritual kingdom remains. It is immovable. This kingdom is NOT to be equated with Judeo-Christian American tradition or its trapping of holidays and national pledges. Those are well and good, but if they are "shakable" then they will NOT remain.
The Lordship of Christ consists of the consistent application of God's law to every area of life. This is the Christian's responsibility. Yet, the conversation surrounding biblical law always digresses to politics or the culture war. I can't change my country, but I can impact my family and friends by loving and serving them -- by dealing lawfully with them. In doing so, I secure a better future for my fellow citizens and enhance the fruits of the increasing Kingdom.
Applying biblical law means first in terms of one another. What do you gain if you neglect your family in a 24/7 effort to pass some menial piece of legislation? What the world needs is peace on earth and good will toward men. Our politics are blinding us to this simple message. Did I mention I was tired?
Throughout the year, these messages must be proclaimed to all men. By doing so we can hopefully break the unholy association of Christ's miraculous birth with the cookie-gobbling Saint Nick. Anyway, enough writing for now. I gotta go wrap presents!
