For the Love of Christ

By William L. Garvin

 

Many find the opportunity during this Christmas season to do what they wish they had been doing all year.  In the hustle and bustle of our modern world, it’s far too easy to ignore friends and family both far and sometimes near.  Psychiatrist Carl Jung wrote that “Hurry is not of the devil; it is the devil.”  That is why we often sacrifice the important in the interest of the urgent.  Christmas gives us the chance to make amends for our poor priorities and refocus on what is truly important in our lives.

Many will take the time to send a Christmas card to old friends and maybe a gift of appreciation for someone they hold near and dear.  Others will notice that they have not been focusing on their spiritual needs during the year and will visit their church or other place of worship.  Some will take the time to give thanks for what they have instead of complaining about what they don’t have.  Others will make New Year’s resolutions to change their ways but will slip back into their old habits by mid-February.  And maybe, just maybe, some will find new purpose and direction.  Maybe, just maybe, they will know true joy, find renewed hope, and bask in the glow of faith.

Of course, there are those who physically battle for that great bargain at the department store on Black Friday.  There are those who will prey on innocent shoppers at the mall.  There are those who will steal turkeys donated for the homeless and will steal the toys gathered for children of the poor.  And there are those who will ridicule and mock the faith of others during their season of worship.  Jesus Christ said: “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.”  John 15:18.  I would surmise that is why we have the American Atheists.

In their latest display of intolerance, they purchased a billboard in Times Square that poses the electronic question “Who needs Christ during Christmas?”  A hand quickly crosses out “Christ” and the word “NOBODY” appears.  While they have every right to do so, this is clearly another example of their hypocritical lack of sensitivity.  It is a deliberate poke in the eye to Christians everywhere and particularly to those parents and children walking in Times Square.

What I found particularly interesting were the responses of the president and the director of communications for the organization.  The president said his goal was to “improve” Christmas and to free the millions who were “unhappy” and “not having fun” going to church on Christmas.  I’m assuming they think that this billboard will cause their ranks to swell by millions of disaffected Christians who will now flock to their new, “improved” light!  Of course, they need recruits since they number less than three percent of our population.

When challenged as to whether they knew this would be offensive to Christians, they both repeated that they didn’t care if others were offended!  That’s it in a nutshell.  Once again we have a narcissistic, self-centered focus where only their personal sensitivities are of importance.  If there is the slightest indication of a Christian religious reference elsewhere, they will bully through lawsuits, threats of lawsuits, and boycotts.  They recently managed to get a nativity scene removed from an air force base by claiming that 39 Christians in the military had complained to them.  Not one of those supposed victims had lodged a complaint through their chain of command.  Someone should read up on “bearing false witness.”

They should also read up on the truth in advertising laws.  When they say that “NOBODY” needs Christ during Christmas, they’re simply and disastrously wrong.  I, for one, need Jesus Christ not only on Christmas but every day of every year I remain on this earth.  He is my only hope.  He is mankind’s only hope.  You may mock, scoff, and ridicule, but He is your only hope.  You will have to make up your mind because we know how the story ends.  “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”  John 3:16.  He will knock at the door but you will have to open it.  There is no better time than now, during this glorious celebration of the birth of “the Reason for the Season.”  We’ll be praying for you.