The seen or the unseen

In response to ”Peace on Earth? Not with this season’s Christmas wars”.

On the surface, your article is fine, but as Christians we must not forget that there is that dimension that is “unseen” or beneath the surface. I’ll attempt to explain this while answering the questions that were posed in your article:

“When I encounter fellow Christians during these days of comfort and joy, I wish them a Merry Christmas. When I encounter Jewish friends, I wish them Happy Hanukah. And when I encounter people whose religious beliefs are unknown to me, I wish them Happy Holidays. Does this make me a Christian sellout? Or does it make me an authentic Christian?”

First of all, you are asking mere men (believers and unbelievers) to answer a question too important for us. In your personal relationship with God you should have the question “am I authentic?” settled by asking God and being confident you are in agreement with Him. Scripture says, “test yourselves to see if you are in the faith”. An “authentic” Christian is one who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Anyone who has trusted Christ as his or her personal Lord and Savior is authentic. He / she should weigh everything in light of scripture (the Holy Bible) because it is God’s manual for mankind. The primary desire of every Christian is to glorify God. One of the ways we glorify God is by directing unbelievers to His son, Jesus Christ. We are to tell the truth, in love, that faith in Christ is “the only” way to heaven. This is why we utter the phrase “Merry Christmas” to “all” we meet.

It’s far better for some to be upset on this side of heaven than to face eternity separated for the presence of God. We say Merry Christmas as a greeting of goodwill and promise; with the hope that everyone we greet will consider Christ. The mass (or rite) is useless without Him (Christ) here, and devastating if we don’t know Him and die.

“Politicians who speak of “the holidays” instead of “Christmas” now face angry Christians protests. What’s happening?”

I somewhat agree with you here. Christians (according to scripture) are allowed to get angry but “sin not”. Some of these, professed Christians, are letting emotions rule their behavior, it’s wrong. Remember the unseen? If we believe there is a good element (i.e. God) then we must accept that there is an evil one (i.e. Devil) which wants to cause Christians (who are saved sinners) to fall and not glorify Christ.

With that said, Christians know that as the leadership goes, so goes the nation. When we water down Christ the nation becomes more ungodly which leads to wrath and not blessing. Remember, God is not mocked; we reap what we sow.

“What in the world is “Christian” about insisting on saying “Merry Christmas” to a devout Jew or Hindu who might reasonably view a statement as a sign of disrespect?”

Again, eternity is a stake. We love the Jews, as they are God’s chosen people. Christ came in their line and He is not finished with them. We love the Hindu, as he is a gentile as we are and equally important in God’s sight. But all are required to enter God’s heaven, God’s way, through Jesus Christ. Therefore, we want the message to be clear: Merry Christmas, a child is born who is the Savior of the world, choose Him and really live.

“Is it really “Christian” for a religious majority to press its advantage over religious minorities, including nonbelievers?”

One with God is a majority – Luther

We want all to have a right relationship with God. It is a choice. You either choose to have or to reject Christ. Christians are fighting to maintain an equal standing on the “seen” side of things. Yes, all traditions should be allowed in the public domain but the “unseen One” is not pleased with Christians that ignore His greatest command: “Go therefore and preach the good news (the gospel of Jesus Christ) to all nations.”

Also, “In this season, we ought to be taking the most expansive possible view of our obligations to others.”

It all comes down to worldviews:
• The “seen” is temporal.
• The “unseen” is eternal.

  Acknowledging the real reason for the season is part “of our obligations to others”, if we really love them.

  “Peach of Earth?”

  Finally, there won’t be peace on earth until Christ returns, puts away sin, and establishes His Kingdom. This is why (while being respectful) we refuse to go the politically correct route; judgement is coming.
  
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