What War on Christmas? | Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy

What War on Christmas? | Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy

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"What War On Christmas? Rev. C. Welton Gaddy":

Gaddy Takes Wildmon To Task:

*I love Christmas. As a pastor, interacting with my congregation during the holiday season is inspiring as well as challenging. Tradition and innovation merge as different families find meaningful but different ways to celebrate commonly held truths. That is why I am troubled by a few individuals who inevitably insist that everyone understand and observe this season just as they do. These people attempt to universalize, commercialize, and impose on others their personal perspective on this deeply religious season of the heart."

*What did we think would happen? Across the years, many Christians urged governments to make Christmas a national holiday. (Note the language; a national holiday, not a spiritual holy day.) Similarly, churches welcomed partnerships with Madison Avenue marketers and Main Street merchants who then did what they do and made Christmas a season for buying, not a time for spiritual-based charity. Media grasped the potential of seasonal attention from a large audience attracted to Christmas festivities and with great success created programs on Charlie Brown, a reindeer named Rudolph, and spectaculars in music and dance."

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*"Christians gave Christmas to the world and the world turned Christmas into a political football, a media event, and an unparalleled marketing enterprise. Did anyone really expect that a world of multiple religions and people with no religion would see a government holiday, a giant marketing initiative, and a media extravaganza as a holy time to be observed by all people in the same manner? Let's be reasonable."

*"I am weary of Christians who are constantly whining and writing fundraising letters of complaint because everyone is not celebrating the birth of Christ as they do. Look around. We are a multi-faith nation with the freedom to choose our own religious practices, or none at all.[...]"

*"My Jewish friends do not ask others to fast on Yom Kippur. Nor do my Muslim friends make such a request during Ramadan. I have learned to appreciate the Hindu festival of light called Diwali, even though no Hindu has asked this of me and the news media pays it no attention. I thank God that our government imposes no religious holiday on anybody, though recognizes the importance of such days for those who observe them."

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Perhaps we Christians can profit from remembering that the world into which the child whose birth we celebrate was not born into a culture in which everyone stopped and celebrated his birth or mandated that all people kneel before the nativity." 

*"As a Christian, it seems to me that, in the spirit of Christmas, we Christians should be happy that so many people are experiencing joy in this season even if their thoughts and actions involve paths different from ours [...]"

 *"While we spread "good news," let's not be so arrogant as to pass judgment on practices different from our own. After all, we are not a nation with a state religion [...]"

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*Surely, if we Christians are true to our principles throughout the seasons of Advent and Christmas and gain inspiration from the [values of hope, peace, joy, and love, that is enough.] What difference does it make whether someone greets us saying, "Happy holidays" or "Merry Christmas?"...
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*Merry Christmas everybody! Or, Happy Holidays! Or, choose the greeting of your choice and have a great day. It's the thought that counts.--Rev. C. Welton Gaddy

I am just as happy when people make a kind gesture.

I regret that many devotees of the religion that gave us this season feel they must celebrate Christmas by attacking those who do not observe the season the same way we do. Think about it, even those who do not celebrate this season as a holy time support our right to honor the meaning it has for us. Surely, we can do as much for others.--Gaddy

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Tim Wildmon Post to Tupelo Daily Journal 12-21-14 

When the news reminded us recently that singer Andy Williams had died a couple of years back, I got a lump in my throat. Not that I was a huge Andy Williams fan. It’s just that Andy Williams was one of the television stars that always had a Christmas special when I was a kid. Like most Americans, our family loved to watch all the Christmas specials (selecting them from our vast array of three channels), and Andy Williams was one of the best, year after year. His voice was amazing. He would always sing, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” What a great song.

Until recently, Christmas has always held a special place in the hearts of most Americans. Maybe it still does to some degree, but it’s hard to tell with all the political correctness sweeping our land. Many want to move us to a generic “holiday” celebration.

Many people have also succumbed to multiculturalism, which basically teaches that all cultures are morally equal, so to elevate Christmas above other religious holidays would offend other cultures. What a bunch of hogwash.

My growing up years were in the 1960s and ’70s. In addition to the Andy Williams special, our family also made it a point to enjoy “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” which debuted in 1965 and continues on network television today.

Through the lovable cartoon characters from the Peanuts series, the real reason for Christmas is presented when, at the school play rehearsal, Linus tells Charlie Brown he knows the real reason for Christmas and goes on stage in front of the spotlight and quotes from the Scriptures:

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and goodwill towards men” (Luke 2: 8-14).

Then Linus looks at Charlie and says, “… and that’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

There’s no way a show that quoted that much Bible could ever make it on network television today if it were not already an established and much anticipated special each year like Charlie Brown. I guess they know viewers would revolt if Charlie and friends didn’t make their annual Christmas visit.

And make no mistake, it’s the Christmas gift-buying season that keeps many businesses alive. That’s why it’s refreshing when those same businesses recognize Christmas in their advertising.

Let’s keep Christmas in America and let’s keep Christ in Christmas. As Christians, we need to continue to use the Christmas season to share with the world around us the real reason for the celebration – Jesus Christ or Immanuel, which means, God with us.

Community columnist Tim Wildmon is a Lee County resident. He is president of the American Family Association, but the column represents his personal opinion unless otherwise noted. Contact him at twildmon@afa.net.