Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Merry Christmas! There I said it...again!

Every year Christmas comes along and every year there is controversy over the use of the word "Christmas". Why should this year be any different? Profanity, sex, alcohol, and violence on TV are rarely challenged, yet every year the headlines in the so called news are riddled with reports of politicians, cities, and/or municipalities "taking a stand" when it comes to Christmas. Just today I am reading that the governor of Rhode Island, Governor Lincoln Chafee, in a valiant attempt to to protect his state's reidents from the evils of the religious intolerance associated with the use of the word "Christmas", is officially referring to the tree at the state house as a "holiday" tree. The governor is quoted later in the article as saying:

“I would encourage all those engaged in this discussion – whatever their opinion on the matter – to use their energy and enthusiasm to make a positive difference in the lives of their fellow Rhode Islanders,”


What a sweet Christmas, err...I mean, holiday sentiment. To give the governor his due, the whole "make a positive difference" thing is an honorable calling. It seems, however, Governor Chafee has stopped short of canceling Christmas in Rhode Island, most likely in lieu of the huge amounts of revenue the "holiday" generates. What the governor also fails to acknowledge with his carefully worded diversion is that the "holiday" for which a tree has been erected in the state house is Christmas, whether he chooses to acknowledge it by name or not. May I also point out to the good governor there is no better way known to man to make a positive difference in the life of his fellow Rhode Islanders, or anybody else, than to introduce them to Jesus Christ. So, this year, let us who know Him keep Christ in our Christmas and in all that we are and all that we do. In that spirit, please join me in wishing Governor Chafee a Very Merry Christmas!