Christmas or x’mas?

Reader submission:
How much are you going to buy me for Christmas this year?
If we could walk in such a manner as to be able to read the hearts of others this is the question we would see whether or not it is ever actually said or evenly consciously thought, our sub-conscience will bear the truth. If you do not like this question think how many times you have heard or even asked a child the question “What is Santa Clause going to bring you for Christmas this year?” Is not this the same question worded slightly different?
In my observations I have found that there seems to be two unique and completely separate events being celebrated simultaneously. One being the holy day known as Christmas in which the Christians since 390 AD have chosen to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ; The other being the holiday of X-mas, which is celebrated with Santa Clause, everything in the mall 50% off, gaudy as can be pine trees in our living room, and the rest of the frozen turkeys that were not sold during Thanksgiving.
Through the many manifestations Christmas has had over the last two thousand years, two constants have remained the same, money has corrupted it and the Christians have been passive about such corruption.
At various times through out our history, Christians (or excuse me “The
Church”) has even banned Christmas from open practice because of the corruption that had crept in. Usually the people who banned such activities were fanatical sects like the Puritans of whose track record we need not discuss but can only be best compared with the modern day Taliban with there closed minded, anti-biblical strictness.
The angel Lucifer began his malicious career by deceiving fellow angels and stealing a third of them down from heaven and continues his reign today by working overtime to steal every blessing that Christians have up to and including our holy days like All Saints Day (Halloween), Thanksgiving, now Christmas, and possibly next Easter. First was All Saints Day, which was a holiday set aside to honor the past saints and martyrs of the Christian faith. Upon Satan’s theft of this day he warped and shortened the event’s name to Halloween (from All Hallows Eve, the day before All Saints Day which was used to prepare for the town feast), and is now so associated with evil that many Christians refuse to even recognize it now. Thanksgiving has been next with current associated symbols being turkey, football, hunting, the parades, and the busiest retail shopping day of the year. Nothing is mentioned of the congregations of Pilgrims earnestly praying for Gods deliverance when the Native Americans appeared and helped our ancestors through their first winter. Now evil has pointed it’s crooked finger at Christmas and corrupted it with such commercialism unlike any other seen in history.
Lucifer with his smooth persuasion and subtle suggesting has convinced us that the Christmas season entails time off from work, fiscal year ends, gluttonous amounts of food, shopping, shopping, and more shopping.
If we find time we may show up for church on the Sunday closest to Christmas to absolve ourselves of our sins and don’t forget to throw some pocket change into the Salvation Army bucket so we can tell ourselves “I’m a good person, and good people go to Heaven”. One problem, good people do not go to Heaven, saved people do.
I do not need to convince you that Christmas has become too commercialized; it is a fact not up for discussion. This year, as you eat one more slice of pie and sing songs about Rudolf and figgy pudding, please do not forget the reason for the season. Christmas is about the gift of life, not a new ring or a treadmill. Share the gift that out lasts all warranties, share the gift of Jesus. Then, no matter how much Satan steals Christmas from the world, he can’t steal it from our hearts.
Go forth with the peace, joy, and love of Jesus Christ in your hearts.

_____________________

Matt. 1:21
And she will bring forth a Son
and you shall call His name Jesus,
for He will save His people from
their sins.