Hey Christian

(Maybe there is something here for believer and unbeliever alike)

Just a heads up to the pontiffs of pride, the holders and wearers of ‘the crown of truth,’ regarding THIS time of year, or so it is thought.  Ah yes, the Legalists have arrived.

I tire of reading about the arrogance of people who say they must at whatever cost, dissociate themselves from friends, co-workers, and yes family, for gasp, wait for it: observing Christmas.

Apparently you never received the memo regarding grace and liberty. Are ya listening? Grace and liberty regarding things you may not approve of. Sure I am well aware of ‘days and years’ and observing things that inflate ones ego to barter with God. Not too smart.

The Christians that I know do not barter with God, and many oh my, decorate a tree. God forbid!! Look away!! Blasphemy!!  Carnality at its finest!!

But good gravy, if you have a gripe with your sister’s birthday celebration, or your uncles wine tasting party, maybe you should go. Extend some mercy. Testify to the goodness of God. Show some genuine Christianity.

But when you are dead and gone, when your memory pops up in conversation, know this: you will not be remembered for your faith, but yes you will be remembered for your cold-hearted callousness and bitter spirit which somehow found fault with other believers singing the great hymns of the faith.

You have chosen to separate yourself because they are evil? Because they related to the birth of Christ? Oh please. ‘O come let us adore Him.’ ‘Adeste Fideles.’ ‘Joy to the world.’ Silent Night.’ ‘O Holy Night.’  Yeah, these hymns are a clear and present threat to you.

You will be remembered because you chose to cause a scene at every family event. You know the drill.  Scripture is quoted. A pine tree is pointed at as if it is the devils nephew. Guess what? Words get louder, and a family dinner is ruined. Yeah, you should be proud. We can disagree with people, and I most certainly do, but it is the spirit where and in which we carry our points that is more important.

You have seen it, I have seen it, and it is blatantly ugly.  A fisherman does not scream at the fish to jump into his net. Goodness, patience, self-control are all very attractive, and I dare say there is so little goodness displayed by they who boast of their superior stance in staying away from families during ‘Christmas.’

They are not impressed, and it has nothing to do with the scripture, whether you believe it or not. Taking a stance for the Lord and His word is not a carte blanche excuse to rail at everybody who doesn’t agree with you.

The gospel is clear. What you think of wine bibbing is not the gospel message, so when your brother drinks his wine, leave him alone. You don’t drink? Good for you, but news flash, it does not commend you to God, and you are no better for it. And your sister invites you to her family Christmas party? Go. And shut up about your vast library of knowledge regarding Nickolas, Ashtoreth, Jeremiah, Jack Chick, papal bulls; and consider that you are simply a humble fisherman, and only a guest.

Raise your voice and argue? You have lost them, and have been a pimple on an intended simple gathering. Christmas to the unbeliever is not about Christmas per se, but is a family gathering to celebrate family. Yes family. And yep, they will say ‘merry Christmas,’ so take it as a blessing and say ‘thank you,’ and don’t turn a dinner into a fright fest, where they fear your very company.

And no, they will not fear you for your ‘defense of the faith,’ but because you will be an obnoxious embarrassment. How about some Christianity on the menu, and how about actually thanking God for His mercy by allowing people in 2016 to gather in freedom, to pray, and yep, to even sing songs regarding He whose name is Wonderful.

And no, it won’t kill you to say ‘merry Christmas.’ And a word to the unbeliever: God’s word is good, very good, and addresses all issues of life. And to use a coupon of my own, I would like to add that some of the greatest music this world has ever known……..is Christmas music.  It’s kinda like a wink from God, that in the midst of disagreement, much beauty is free for the taking.

(And by the way, you do not want to be remembered for being a loud and lousy employee who was guilty of theft by stealing the employers time for looking up bible texts instead of working. You should not want to be remembered for slamming someone who simply said ‘merry Christmas and happy new year.’ We all know employees like this. Don’t be one of them.)