I've spent the last two days struggling with whether or not I wanted to write this blog. I have obviously decided in favor of it, because I was born in America, and I am blessed enough to have the freedom to speak my mind no matter who it offends.
Let me begin by saying I love my country. I am so thankful to the men and women who have fought for my freedoms This blog IN NO WAY is meant to offend our military, government, my fellow Americans or supporters of all of the above. With that said, I will begin my rant.
I logged on to Facebook about a week ago and I was greeted by a picture of an American flag and this statement...
Wait what? This statement, as a Christian, offends me for numerous reasons.
The first reason I will touch on is the origin and world-wide celebration of Christmas. Christmas is NOT an American holiday, nor does it "belong" to any other specific country. Christmas is a Christian holiday originating in ancient Rome in celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christmas is celebrated on December 25, again, thanks to ancient Rome. In those days Pagans celebrated Saturnalia. Saturnalia was a week long period of lawlessness and sexual indulgences in celebration of Saturn the God of harvest/agriculture. During this time food and drink were plenty, gambling was legal for all and businesses and schools were closed. Roman Catholics moved to deem December 25th Christmas day in hopes of breaking up the Saturnalia celebration and perhaps convert some Pagans to Christianity.
As for the Christmas customs...
Kissing under the mistletoe? In SCANDINAVIA, mistletoe was considered the "plant of peace." If enemies met underneath mistletoe in the forest, they laid down their weapons and maintained a truce for at least one day. Mistletoe was also regarded as an aphrodisiac and a fertility herb.
Santa Claus? Well, good old Saint Nick was born in TURKEY. His remains are in ITALY. And the commercial portrayal of Santa Claus that we know and love, with the big fat belly, red suit, white beard and hat... that image was created and painted by a SWEDISH commercial artist.
Christmas is celebrated in a majority of the world's countries, many of them recognizing the day as a state, national or public holiday. I even made a list of each country and how that country recognizes Christmas, but it's late and I'm tired. If you really want the proof message me and I will provide it.
My other reason is this: As a Christian, I was raised to respect and tolerate and yes, even love, my fellow man no matter where they came from. To use Christmas as a means of segregation is kind of sick really. Immigrants have nothing to do with separation of Church and State. If anything, it is some of our fellow Americans who push their freedom of religion so much that it stifles the religious freedoms of others, because, let's face it, whether an American be Italian, Bosnian, Mexican, African, Irish, etc... he is still an American. We all started somewhere else. Enough of the unnecessary segregation and prejudices. The immigrants aren't to blame.
So, the picture of the huge sign in front of a private home that reads "Merry Christmas! If you don't like it, don't let our border hit you in the @$$ on the way out!" Yeah, let's just stop forwarding and posting it everywhere, because 1) it is a very unchristian stance to take and 2) it doesn't even make sense.
Go ahead and put up a Christmas tree, sing Christmas carols, put up the lights and yell "MERRY CHRISTMAS" to everyone you meet... but do it because you genuinely believe in Jesus Christ. Do it to celebrate Him. After all, He is the reason for the season. You don't have to be an American to celebrate Christmas and you certainly aren't any less American if you don't.
Merry Christmas! And God bless America.
