Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Yesterday I left off with a promise to talk about the billions of people who celebrate Christmas. Are these His people? Does celebrating Christmas make you special? If the purpose behind His birth is to save His people from sin, then isn’t it reasonable to assume that those who celebrate His birth must be family members or close friends of the family?

I don’t have to answer that do I? All you have to do is look around at the number of people who demand that Christ be taken out of “Xmas”. Any reminder of His birth parked on any government lawn in the form of a nativity scene is met with vandalism and law suits. Demands are being placed on Christians to secularize this holiday season. Yes, holiday season, the only celebrating going on for many in this group of billions is paid days’ vacation and time away from work.

While many of the faith would balk at the idea of taking Jesus out of Christmas, I would ask them just how the world came to be this way about this Holy Day? Perhaps in some small part over the years it has something to do with failing to remember and celebrate the purpose for His birth. I will not condemn others for not wanting to be reminded of their sins on the celebration of a birth, we have other days for that. It is however a part of the long line of changes in how we celebrate His birth that got us here.

Where in the nativity is there a fur tree lit up with lights and adorned with bulbs and garland? At what point did popping popcorn and stringing them together become part of the birthday celebration? All we have to do is look at His birth moment and compare it to our living rooms on Christmas morning to count how many secular traditions have been added to make the day more festive.

Secular change is for tomorrow.