By Renee Scheidt

The music blared from the preset tunes at a local store where I was shopping this week. Since December has arrived, Christmas songs are the only music played. I heard everything from “Frosty the Snowman,” “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” That was followed by “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Dean Martin was next singing “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow.” There was even a song about grandma getting run over by a reindeer.

As I waited in line to check out, I said to the older lady ahead of me, “You know, the entire time I’ve been in this store, I haven’t heard one song about Jesus Christ.” 

She concurred and said, “Ain’t it awful. These kids today don’t even know what Christmas is really about.”

She was right. It didn’t happen overnight, but little by little, so slowly that most didn’t realize that cunning devil’s plan. Old Satan, the deceiver, has successfully changed the focus of Christmas. He didn’t come straight out and say, ‘No more celebrating Jesus’ birth.” He’s too clever for that. Instead, very gradually other characters were introduced as a fun sideline. What started as amusement has stealthily taken over the true meaning of Christmas. Those laughing elves and flying reindeer have taken center stage so much that the Christ Child often can’t be found. Even the name “Christmas” has become controversial. Store employees are instructed not to say “Merry Christmas” lest someone be offended. Instead, say “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings.” Schools no longer have Christmas programs but “holiday programs.” They certainly wouldn’t want the Freedom From Religion Foundation threatening them!

Now the entire month of December is one big, commercial party, costing most people more money and time than they can afford. Folks work hours on end to decorate their yards and homes with displays of Santa, candy canes and lights. Yet to see a Nativity scene amongst all the displays is a rarity. Through the years, as some Christians saw the tide turning, efforts were made to “keep Christ in Christmas” and to say “Jesus is the reason for the season.” But looking around, it doesn’t appear to have had much impact.

It wasn’t always this way. Although Christians have celebrated the Savior’s birth for centuries, it wasn’t until 1870 that President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill into law making Christmas a federal holiday. Since the North and the South both honored the Incarnation, he saw this as an act to unify the North and South shortly after the Civil War ended. It was to be a day of peace and rest. What better way to celebrate the Savior, the Prince of Peace, of whom the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest and on Earth, peace, good will toward men.”

The very name “Christmas” comes from the Mass of Christ, a service to remember the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. No wonder the evil one doesn’t want people to know the true meaning of this time. In celebrating His birth, we celebrate the cross where our sin debt was paid. We then celebrate Christ’s resurrection, clearly displaying His victory over sin, death and the devil himself.

Lest you think I am the Grinch, please know I am thrilled to celebrate Christmas. But instead of the cheap, fake imitation that has taken over, I’ll be celebrating this: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

So let the world have its party. It will soon be seen as much ado about nothing when it’s all said and done. For you see, Jesus Christ is no longer a babe in the manger. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is coming again to take us to heaven and send that ol’ Serpent to hell where he belongs. That’s a celebration I wouldn’t miss for the world.

Renee Scheidt lives in Salisbury.