Why Christmas Still Endures After 2,000 Years

Remembering What Endures

Last week, I discussed how terrible communism was, highlighting the horrors endured by those forced to live under that tyrannical form of government. Part of the impetus to do the column came about as a result of attending a meeting held at the Victims of Communism Museum in Washington, D.C. The head of its foundation, Dr. Eric Patterson, remarked that the United States, at 249 years, was the longest continuous democratic republic in history. That got this sinning fool to do some thinking. Spoiler alert. This piece is mainly about Christmas. 2000 years is a long time!

Faith, Fellowship, and Perspective

It is safe to say those attending the gathering in DC were all strong Christian believers, individuals you would be proud to have your children emulate. One of my siblings is an ordained Methodist minister, so I want to be careful to avoid practicing without a license, but I do offer some thoughts for your consideration (allowing for me being a Presbyterian).

A Moment That Changed History

Whether you are a believer or not, if you are sincerely interested in world history, it has to impress even the skeptics that something that took place more than 2000 years ago is celebrated by so many to this day. To be fair, the Jews looking for the coming of the Messiah from the House of David were hoping for someone to sit on the throne who would restore Israel as an independent and sovereign nation. Little did they expect what followed.

The Meaning of Christmas

A week from now, millions will gather here in the United States and the rest of the world to respectfully celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Eve. God on earth, fully man, fully God. The holy savior of mankind, with us and available to us to this day, thanks to the gift of the Holy Spirit. Most of us think it is possible to share our faith without disrespecting how others choose to worship, if at all. At the same time, Scripture instructs us to share the Good News. This is another clumsy attempt to do so.

Faith Without Violence

It seems that every day, we see instances of individuals killing others in the name of their religion. Say what you will about us Christians, but it has been a long time since the Crusades. Can you even name an example of a Christian killing those of another faith in the name of Christianity? “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven.” We say these words every week when we pray the Lord’s prayer.

The Commandment That Says It All

At First Presbyterian Church in New Bern, North Carolina, we repeat the Summary of the Law in unison. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And a second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” This is what Jesus instructed his followers to believe and do. Someone will have to tell me what could be wrong with anyone doing this.

Grace, Forgiveness, and Responsibility

Christianity is more than a philosophy. It is a religion. We attempt to live the words from above, not to glorify ourselves, but to glorify God. As the saying goes, we know who we are because we know whose we are. As the leader in the clubhouse in the falling short category, it is a blessing that forgiveness is at the center of our religion. As I see it, with this forgiveness comes the responsibility to try and do better with the active help of God. Hard to understand what there is to criticize with any of this.

Why It Still Matters

My late father was fond of observing that “something must have happened that many years ago.” Otherwise, he reasoned, how could it be possible that people of multiple histories and cultures believe in Christ to this day? It is safe to say that not much of anything has endured this long.

Common Sense

Common Sense: If you are one of those who will be in church next Wednesday, take a second to pause and consider that if the Gospel were a lie, we would surely know by now. We truly have been blessed. Thanks be to God.