A few years ago I wrote a special report about the influence of our current culture on the Christian meaning of Christmas.
In it, I share some stories that startled me and make me concerned about the future of our country.
Let me share just a few of these.
First, there is "Hollydazzle" in Newport News, Virginia.
This is what the town leaders organized to kick off the month of December.
They do not have a Christmas celebration for their city anymore; they have an Inspiration Tree.
And there is no mention of Christmas; everything is called "holiday" this or "holiday" that.
By doing this, they are taking away the idea of Christ in Christmas.
Then there is Maplewood, New Jersey.
The school board said they could not sing Christmas carols.
But it was not just the singing.
They could not even play instrumentals of Christmas carols, which I find really strange, because some of the instrumentals are just classical music that we put Christmas words to.
Closer to home in Texas, a young man named Justin Morgan was passing out candy canes with a religious message to his 4th grade class.
But some took offense and filed suit against him, so he took his case to the courts.
He won his case, but the case brings up disturbing questions.
But the one that I find most startling is the pastor who actually took Christ out of Christmas.
Last year, the church held a Christmas light show, but he decided to start calling it a Holiday light show because he felt that would draw more people in.
He did not want to stand for the "Christmas" light show.
I just find it concerning that even in our churches, there are some who want to be politically correct in order to draw people to Christ.
But is this honoring to God?And what will be the price if we sell out our society and souls and forget the one who came to earth to live and die for us?You see, I believe the real reason for Christmas is to celebrate and remember the birth of God in the flesh, our Messiah, our Savior - Jesus Christ.
He is the true meaning of Christmas!