Eradicate: Blotting Out God in America

It happens every year around this time. Some refer to it as the “War on Christmas,” but that’s not completely accurate.

People who are trying to remove Christmas displays are not threatened by the story of an innocent baby born in a manger over 2,000 years ago. They’re not necessarily threatened by our public worship. They simply don’t want to have to answer to the One who Scripture refers to as Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6).

C.S. Lewis once said:

“There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan.”

They are fighting against the person and the truth of Jesus Christ. Yes, activists take it out on us, but our struggle is not against flesh and blood people (Ephesians 6:12); it is spiritual. It’s not enough for them to have the freedom to not celebrate Christmas and the right to deny faith in God; their agenda is to take it away as an option for us. Talk about bullying.

Some atheists, humanists, activists, and progressives come out every year during Christmas and with the help of the ACLU, the Freedom From Religion Foundation and other Leftist groups, threaten to take you to court if you don’t keep quiet about this Jesus and conform to a godless culture. These are the very people who need God the most.

Activists would rather cause chaos than submit to the Prince of Peace, and their actions are often rooted in hatred of anything to do with God. Rather than be reminded of God’s love and His plan, they aim to silence the reminders.

For example, Sarah Palin knows what it’s like to be attacked, hated, and sued. Her new book, Good Tidings and Great Joy: Protecting the Heart of Christmas, is “about Christ and our ability to worship Him freely. It’s about America and what liberty truly means…” Most of us will never go through a fraction of the hostility she’s had to endure, so let’s give her credit for acknowledging Jesus and promoting Christmas.

You’d never hear if from most media, but polls and surveys prove the majority of Americans are absolutely fine with public displays of Christmas. The problem is we back down by either saying nothing or we give in by wishing others “Happy Holidays” in public. There is nothing wrong with saying happy holidays, but if you’re a Bible-believing Christian or even if you simply support religious liberty and free speech in America, why not wish others a Merry Christmas?

I took out a note pad and forced myself to pay attention to TV commercials the other day and noticed only a small number of ads and businesses even mention Christmas. First, kudos to Hobby Lobby, Menards, Lowes, Sears, Walmart, and a few others for acknowledging Christmas.

It is ironic many businesses that want your money avoid the “C” word in their television ads, but show festive, apparently meaningless red and green colors and decorations. Here are just a few examples of how political correctness is gaining ground:

Best Buy: “Perfect holiday gifts” and “Your ultimate holiday showroom”
Target: “My kind of holiday”
M&M’s: “Happy Holidays”
Wells Fargo: “Wishing you a magical holiday”
Scheel’s: “Unwrap the cheer” and “Deck the halls”
Honda: “Happy Honda Days”
Toys R Us: “The Big Holiday Wish Sale”

Countless other ads mention Santa, celebrating “the season,” giving gifts, or some kind of sale – but give no specific reason for having the sale! Call it what you want and celebrate it or not, but just like Jesus Christ and His Word, the meaning of Christmas never changes.

If it matters to you, check out American Family Association’s “Naughty or Nice” list. Companies can do what they want – and we can shop where we want. We’re not expecting unbelievers to live according to the Bible or to act like Christians. We do want them to receive the message and acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Especially during Christmas, the point is not to judge them, act self-righteously, or relish in their future demise, but to love them enough to tell them the truth and share the good news of Jesus Christ. There will always be opposition just as Jesus told His followers in John 16:33,

“In this world you will have trouble, but take heart; I have overcome the world.”

He also said we’d be hated because of Him. We are simply messengers; their problem is with the message and with their Maker. Why? A baby seems harmless until you understand the rest of the Christmas story. Jesus Christ, the eternal Word, “became flesh and dwelt among us,” (John 1:14) to “give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). He left no wiggle room when He stated He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

So, is the Wonderful Counselor a liar, a lunatic, or is He the only true, living God? The overwhelming archeological, historical, and biblical evidence demands a verdict.

A choice must be made: on what side of eternity do you want to live? Salvation is a free gift. Will you accept His offer and open the present?

The story of Christmas includes a holy God that loved us enough to offer His Son as a sacrifice to pay our sin debt so that His wrath would be satisfied and that He could extend His mercy toward us by forgiving our sins.

The meaning of Christmas is the ultimate love story that never changes – even when some refuse to acknowledge the reason for the season.

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (Romans 10: 9-10)

Merry Christmas!

David Fiorazo is the author of ERADICATE: BLOTTING OUT GOD IN AMERICA