Over the next few days, the hustle and bustle finally come to a screeching stop upon the dawning of Christmas Day. Christmas affords folks the opportunity to gather together, exchange gifts, and once again turn their hearts toward the little town of Bethlehem. On Sunday evening, December 16th, the children of our church presented a musical entitled, “For the Glory of the King.” Its message reminded the listener that Christmas means much more than beautifully wrapped presents and trimming the tree. Christmas celebrates the birth of our Messiah. Christmas heralds the arrival of Jesus, not in the form of a world conqueror or visiting dignitary, but in the form of a Baby.
A popular Christmas song playing regularly on Christian stations states, “A baby changes everything.” For those of you blessed to be parents, you know a baby entering into the family equation, turns everything upside down…at least for a while. New parents experience sleepless nights and learn that leaving the house, even for a short time, involves packing the van with a stroller, carrier, diaper bag, and a plethora of other items, “just in case.” Yes, a baby changes everything…especially the one born in Bethlehem. Sadly, some people choose to disregard the sacredness of Jesus’ conception and birth…or the sanctity of life period. Unfortunately, our society witnesses an American culture of death.
Every Christmas season our family shops for new ornaments to hang on our tree. This year, each of the kids selected ornaments that light up. Ornaments liven up any tree, unless of course the ornament itself promotes death. Recently, a prolife organization posted a report about an Etsy business selling a unique Christmas ornament. This small business creates “abornaments.” These “festive” tree hangers depict babies in various stages of development, post abortion. Yes…post abortive ornaments. Google it. See for yourself. In my humble opinion, that stoops to an all-time low for those professing a pro-choice ideology. To sell such offensive items, during the season we celebrate the most significant birth of all, is the epitome of evil.
On December 14th, America’s heart broke as newscasts flashed scenes of Newtown, Ct. Talking heads tried to make sense of the gruesome attack. Soon, experts appeared on split screens blaming the proliferation of guns and violence made “cool” by television, movies, and video games. As information trickled in, our Country learned that 26 people perished including 20 elementary aged children. I wiped away tears as cameras zoomed in on grieving family and friends. At the close of the day, I rushed home and wrapped my arms around my kids and assured them of my love, something that many parents in Newtown can no longer do. America suffered a murderous attack, another epitome of evil. But what do these two stories have in common? Something links abornaments with the murderous rampage. An America culture of death.
Pundits and psychological experts can blame various sources, but ultimately we’re all to blame for the violent rampage. As a Country, we’ve allowed the propagation of moral relativism in our schools, teaching kids that absolute truth is an old-fashioned pipe dream. And for decades, our educators have taught the theory of evolution as fact, kicking God from the classroom. When children hear only shades of gray exist in the moral realm, and that their ancestors were apes, no wonder kids grow up with violent tendencies, carrying out the acts of animals with killer instincts. Our culture fails to convey the message that life is a sacred gift of God, and in so doing, all life becomes expendable…at least in the eyes of one hell-bent on killing.
To change America’s perspective on violence, America’s heart must be transformed. Self-virtue “words of the month”studied in school won’t shape our children into a more conscientious, responsible, and moral citizen. The only true way to transform the heart of our Country is to return to God. Not to boo Him with enthusiasm, but to bow before Him. A return to God trumps any policy or agenda pushed by the NEA or any other government agency.
Only when our Country returns to God will we see a change in America’s soul.
Amen Bryan! We need to step up our efforts to share the Gospel, even if we are met with bitterness. Only with God, will our nation heal.