Each week this month, I am posting excerpts from my new E-book Breathing Advent: God’s Hope to a World in Need of a Savior. You can download your free copy here: https://barbarasnyder.net/resources/
When I turned on the computer, the headliner on the opening page of my web browser declared the controversy over the supposed War on Christmas. For the past decade or so, extremists have been arguing over Christmas/Holiday greetings. And all the trimmings that come along with it. Christians and atheists alike have jumped on the bandwagon in ways that are equally not of a festive or merry spirit. All I can do is roll my eyes at how ridiculous we all have become. Society seems bent on striving after this phony theory of entitlement that has gripped us with such fierceness. Heaven forbid anyone possibly do anything to offend me — whether intentional or unintentional — in their dress, speech, actions, thoughts, beliefs, blah, blah, blah.
But I find the greeting of “Merry Christmas!” offensive. I don’t celebrate the Christian holiday, so why am I forced to suffer from hearing a cheery religious salutation? Never mind that I will gladly receive that Christmas bonus from work (and the time off that comes along with it).
I can’t believe that person greeted me with “Happy Holidays!” Don’t they realize Jesus is the reason for the season? I can’t believe I’m forced to be persecuted for my faith in this way. Never mind that I am rude to the cashier and my fellow-shoppers in my rush to purchase Christmas paraphernalia so I can hurry home to decorate.
Seriously, things have gotten entirely out of control y’all.
That said, the war on Christmas is real. Has been since the very first breath of the Messiah was drawn.
I’m not talking about disagreements over Christmas greetings. Or whether it is appropriate for towns to have a nativity scene in the public square. Or whether one should have a Christmas tree, or whether or not to include Santa Claus in your holiday traditions. Or any host of disagreements that have arisen over the years. I’m talking about a full-fledged, all-out, satanic war against the hosts of heaven.
When rumors of Jesus’ birth made their way to the gates of hell, Satan went berserk. Desperate to keep his tight reign of sin and death over God’s beloved, he plotted in the most sinister of ways to snuff out the life of the Savior. Planting seeds of fear, Satan manipulated King Herod’s alarm at the thought of losing power. He unleashed this puppet ruler in hopes of killing the Christ child before Jesus had a chance to grow and fight back.
Summarizing Matthew 2:1-18, Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the reign of King Herod. At about the same time, some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, seeking this newborn king of the Jews. They had followed a shining star and were hoping it would lead them to the Messiah.
Needless to say, this news did not sit well with Herod. He called a private meeting with the wise men and asked them to let him know as soon as they discovered the child. Of course, he used the pretense of desiring to worship this new king, too. (I’m thinking he may have neglected to remember he was dealing with wise men here and not your average fellows.)
After this interview, the wise men continued to follow the star straight to the house where Jesus was. (Yes, they ended up in a house, and not at the renowned stable where they tend to make an appearance in every nativity set known to man.) The wise men worshiped Jesus and left the famed gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But God had warned them away from Herod, so they returned home via a different route.
After the wise men left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. He told Joseph to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt, where they were told to remain until the angel came again. The reason they were told to leave? Herod was going to search for the child to kill him.
Herod was furious when he realized he had been duped by the wise men. This desperate ruler set dark measures in motion. An edict of infanticide was issued, sealing the fate of all young boys in and around Bethlehem. Can you imagine? Every little boy aged two and under was put to death.
What must Mary and Joseph have felt when they realized the extent of evil forces set against this new babe entrusted to their care? While they were warned by an angel to flee, could they have truly imagined the terror from which they were escaping?
Doors crack and give way beneath hobnailed sandals as soldiers push and shove their way into homes. Babies and toddlers are torn from cradling arms or yanked from sleeping mats to be silenced forever. Ripped from distraught mothers and run through with bloodied swords. Lifeless bodies tossed like so many rag dolls. Murder committed against an entire community’s most innocent of occupants.
This is the reality of war on Christmas.
This is the world into which Jesus came, a world so set against Him that it wiped out infants in attempts to stop His coming.
And yet He came, fully knowing the reception He was to receive.
In light of my day, it is easy to forget the horror that occurred when Christ entered the world as a newborn babe.
Divinity stepped into a society occupied by His archenemy so he could teach us to pray for our persecutors. He was born into a generation crying out for deliverance from despicable atrocities occurring without a moment’s notice, so He could set us free from hate. He came to a people held captive by evil rulers so He could break the bonds of sin and death. He arrived in a world under siege by satanic powers.
And in this place, He taught us how to love.
From the first inhalation of earthly air to His last breath, Jesus breathed a life of love. And in return, he was parried with hate. From the manger to the cross and through the centuries since the resurrection, God’s love continues to battle against Satan’s hatred and the lies it ensues. All the way to the present day argument of Merry Christmas versus Happy Holidays.
Is there a war on Christmas? Of course. But that’s nothing new. It’s been raging since the Messiah’s birth. So why do we Christians act so shocked? Why are we surprised when those who do not believe in the gift of salvation respond to us in ways that align with their disbelief?
Instead of pressing our rights to hear Merry Christmas returned to us in greeting, can we instead smile in response to a Happy Holidays? Can we treat each other with at least a little of the love Jesus extends to us?
It would seem we still have much to learn from our Savior.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross.
— Philippians 2:5-8 (BSB)
Yes, indeed. We still have much to learn from our Savior.
Instead of railing against, let’s bow our knees before a gracious throne and weep with the masses. Let’s pray for Jesus to once more descend to be with. And near. And bring healing and hope in ways only He can.
Come, Lord Jesus. Come, Immanuel. Descend into hearts as You descended into the atmosphere so many years ago. And make Yourself known once more. Breathe Your peace that is for all people. Stir hearts to look heavenward and open eyes to see the star pointing straight to Your presence. May Your goodness know no ends as You extend Your gift of grace to the persecuted and to the persecutor.
Save us, sweet Savior. Let mercy come to the hearts of those who are called according to Your purposes. May Your sons and daughters rise from the ashes of broken and be built into living memorials of grace. And peace. And truth.
Descend in triumph. Overturn the works of the evil one, and drive out the darkness with the light of Your eternal love. Let hope arise with Advent breath instilling life to all who look to You.
Breath of Heaven, breathe on us.
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FOR REFLECTION
Where is your own heart in this war against Christmas? Are you tempted to take up an offense and respond in kind, or are you able to take a deep breath and to exhale love in place of animosity?
How is God calling you to treat others when you feel anything but loving?
What are some specific things you can adjust in your life to help you bring peace to the people around you?