From The Pastor's Desk...December, 2007
By Hal Polk, BraceBeagling 
December 08, 2007

The Pilgrims at Plymouth did not celebrate Christmas!

In other places they had seen the holiday abused to the point at which they considered it an almost pagan distraction from the adoration of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of believing men. Thus they went about their labors (unless, of course, Christmas fell on a Sunday) as if it were just like every other day.

I'm not advocating ignoring the holiday. We're called to be "a peculiar people", but not that peculiar. The Pilgrims lived in a unique setting in which, for a time, they controlled their social environment. We don't. It would seem almost blasphermous to our neighbors--Christian and non-christian alike--if we were to pass through the season without notice.

On the other hand, I trust that you agree that the alleged celebration of the birth of Christ in our Culture has nothing whatsoever to do with Christ!

For most Americans Christmas is about shopping and gifts, days off and vacations, decorations and cards. Christmas invokes the spirit of competition: there are contests to determine whiich home is most ornately decorated, there are comparisions of the size, complexity and cost of gifts by their recipients; and if you didn't send us a card last year, we'll take you off our list this year!

To plan family gatherings, to decorate our homes, to give gifts, to send greetings are not inappropriate, but our celebration of the birth of Christ has not begun to approach legitimacy until we have knelt in His presence, praising God for the wonderful gifts of His mercy in time and life everlasting!

Please have a merry...and a Christ centered...Christmas.