“I bring you good news of great joy,” the angel announced to the shepherds (Luke 2:10). Think about it: “GOOD news of GREAT joy!” Wow! If that were not enough, the angel completed his proclamation with, “that will be for ALL the people.” A private visitation but a universal invitation. Such wonderfully great news for all humanity!

That is why Isaac Watts could jubilantly proclaim, “Joy to the WORLD!” – “Let EARTH receive her King!” – “Let EVERY heart prepare Him room!"

Strangely, however, on that first Christmas most hearts were sleeping. In fact, because there was no room elsewhere, Christ’s arrival was relegated to a shoddy stable out back somewhere. When Herod heard of His birth, he was disturbed “and all Jerusalem with him” (Matt 2:3). They all heard the rumors of Christ’s birth, but they had no interest or they would have joined the wise men in their search to worship Israel’s newborn king. But they did not. “He came to his own home, and his own people received him not” (John 1:11). No room!

It's been a different story in America. Starting with the early Pilgrims, Americans have done their part to prepare Christ room. In fact, Jesus Christ has been our greatest “national treasure!” For nearly 400 years we have welcomed Him on Christmas, celebrating freely and joyously the good news of His coming.

 

ASSAULT ON CHRISTMAS

But times are changing. America’s rich Christian heritage is under wholesale attack today by secularists and others who want to rub Christian faith out of American life and history. Increasingly, Christ hears the grating sound ringing in His ears – “No room!”

Just in time for Christmas 2004, Stephen Williams, a fifth grade teacher in Cupertino, California stirred controversy by accurately presenting his students with American history not included in their textbooks. Reading from George Washington’s prayer journal, President Bush’s National Day of Prayer proclamation, and Delaware’s state constitution (which in 1776 required those elected to office to profess faith in Jesus Christ), he let students hear about Christianity’s role in America’s founding. Scandalous! The embattled teacher has been told in no uncertain terms, “No room!”

How short-sighted I used to be when only a few years ago I’d playfully exhort, “Keep Christ in Christmas,” and “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.” To me, it was but a gentle reminder to keep our priorities straight. It escaped me that in so short a time these would become war cries.

For many years, enemies of Christ have encroached upon this sacred celebration in subtle ways, watering it down, twisting it, and mangling it until He is no longer welcome at His own birthday party. “No room!” Why, we have even welcomed a rival guest of honor and given him godlike stature. (Hint: he’s fat, jolly, says, “Ho, ho, ho,” and America is fixated on him!).

What once was subtle is increasingly blatant. In fact, everything relevant to the true meaning of Christmas is presently under flagrant attack. In recent years we have seen nativity scenes banned from public places, Christmas carols banned, the Christmas story squelched. Stores chase the Salvation Army bell-ringers off their property; a High School principal canceled his school’s production of the Charles Dicken’s classic, “A Christmas Carol”; students sing I wish you a merry holiday; religious floats were banned from Denver’s parade of lights. No room!

Very shortly, the Christmas that earlier generations knew and loved may become a thing of the past. Oh, the lights, trees, parades, gifts, greeting cards, eggnog and goodies may remain the same. But it will no longer be a sacred holiday, just a secular one, and the most commercialized and self-indulgent of all. No room!

HAPPY HOLIDAY E-MAIL

A friend forwarded me an e-mail he received, along with his response. I think it is appropriate to include it here:

Subject: rantings....MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Dear Phil,
Well, it has finally happened to me. Maybe I’m being a bit over dramatic about this, but it is the cherry on top of my ever present cynicism this time of year. Over the past couple weeks; I have attempted to get in the “Christmas spirit”, the “Holiday happies”, the “Greetingful seasons”. As I approached this state of ignorant bliss, the cherry was handed to me by my (liberal) boss. When speaking of an email I was to send regarding a meeting to be held in January, she reminded me to wish the recipients Happy holidays or Seasons greetings, but don’t say Merry Christmas or anything like that because not everyone is a Christian”. I looked at her, her being nonchalant, and very “tolerant” of other cultures. I said “okay” after rolling my eyes like I haven’t since I was thirteen. I was suddenly on the defense. This “holiday season” is CHRISTMAS! It’s a CHRISTIAN holiday! It’s as if someone wanted to celebrate the eight nights of Hanukkah, but not call it Jewish. This holiday represents the anticipation, the joy; the patient longing for Christ’s second coming, by remembering His first coming. Our excitement should not be for the gifts, the shopping, the santa claus movies and parade floats, it should be for Jesus…coming here…for us….period! If we knew the day that Jesus would return for us, how anxious we would be! How would we prepare? What thoughts would we have? What feelings would we experience? This is Christmas! We already know that he came. The Savior is going to be born soon, and we will all be free! God is sending His son! We have a chance for real peace, real joy, real love. And He will come again to give us an eternity with Him. Nothing can take that away from us. So I will continue to try to be joyous, despite the attempt to once again make December 25th a pagan holiday. – Christy
Dear Christy,
It may be Happy Holidays for some, because they do not believe in Christ, but isn't it intolerant to make Christians celebrate their holy day as a Happy Holiday? It is presumptuous for your boss to assume that everyone is a happy holiday kind of person. How many people are going to hear "Happy Holidays" and be offended? I know that I am! In fact I consider it "hateful" and "intolerant" on her part towards Christians. The reverse intolerance towards us Christians would be hilarious if it were not so pathetically Anti Christ...........Christophobia is a mental and spiritual illness.......Love ya! Phil

 SO WHAT’S A CHRISTIAN TO DO?

First, let’s read and study our Bibles for perspective, comfort, and stability. A few verses:

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not” (Isa 53:3)
"Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also" (Jn 15:20).
“Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you” (1 Jn 3:13).
“Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of
Man” (Lk 6:22).
I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. . . . Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy (John 16:20, 22).
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Heb 12:2-3).

Second, I think we must open our hearts and minds to the power of God’s Spirit. Not only does the “god of this world” intend to strip our country of it’s godly heritage and claim America for himself, but he wants to take YOU captive with it. It will take Christians who know their God, who carry their crosses, who are filled with Christ’s love and compassion, who drink deeply of the Living Water to effectively impact our culture. Let’s seek the Holy Spirit for revival, go in His power, and see what Christ would have us do to make a difference.

Third, we need to realize that we DO live in a democratic republic, and we DO have a constitution, and our constitution is not unconstitutional . . . yet!  Don't be fooled, our constitution makes room for Christ. We have rights, responsibilities, and privileges under this form of government that most Christians in the world today and throughout history have only dreamed of.

God put us here for a purpose, “for such a time as this” (Est 4:14). We need to engage ourselves as Christian citizens and fight for our values, our heritage, and our future.  We need to tell ourselves, “Yes, there IS ROOM for Christ in America, and I won't let them push Him out back with the cattle!” This means contending in the church, in the marketplace, in the government, in the schools, in the media, and on our knees in prayer.

We must stop shirking our duty. If we get involved in the public arena as salt and light, we can still become the fulfillment to Isaiah’s prophesy – “Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings” (Isa 58:12).

Fourth, we need to guard our attitude. If we respond to the store clerk who tells us “Happy Holidays” with an angry, " Well, maybe it's a happy holiday to you, but for me it’s Merry Christmas!” then we’ve become part of the problem, just another “grinch” stealing Christmas.  Not only do we need to keep Christ in Christmas, but we need to keep the Merry in it!

As Christ’s ambassadors, we should guard ourselves against self-righteous, angry, defensive, obnoxious comments. We should respond to their misguided blessings with a better blessing. I’m sure we can find ways to let people know how much Christ means to us and to offer them a true Christmas blessing as fits the occasion. With sincere love and cheer, we can try responding with something like, “Thank you, but know, it’s Christmas, the day we celebrate Christ's birth. He loves you so much. If you don’t mind, I'd like to wish you a VERY blessed and happy Christmas season.” This time of year, most frazzled clerks out there need a blessing like this!  Let's cease this opportunity to spread the Good News!

Finally, I think it is time for us to prepare ourselves for real persecution in this country.  I recommend getting on mailing lists of organizations like Voice of the Martyrs (see my Links page) and reading the triumphant stories of the persecuted church. Theirs are not stories of defeat but of victory, and we have much to learn from them.

Also, we can learn more about the faithful  of past generations who wrestled their way through terrible "No Room" times into triumphant victory. I began this article with Isaac Watts and his famous song, “Joy to the World.” Actually, he wrote 750 Christian hymns, including this one, and this despite growing up under persecution.  Isaac's father was imprisoned more than once for his Christian faith.

Actually, Isaac Watts and John Bunyan (his contemporary, who wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress from a jail cell), along with other famous believers like Suzanna Wesley, are buried in an “unconsecrated” (i.e., not blessed by the state church) cemetery in London.  (Click here)

May we, likewise, stand faithful to Christ this Christmas and always.  May we graciously and boldly proclaim,”Lord, there IS room for You. There is room in my heart, and I will do my part to make room for You in my world.”

Let us remember that Christ is still on the throne.  Soon, He will come a second time, not as a cooing baby whom the world ignores.  This time He will blaze through the clouds of heaven for every eye to see.  Who will dare to say "No Room" then?  Brothers and sisters, we have every reason for hope and joy.  Let's spread it.

May you have a very Merry Christmas!