NO ROOM IN AMERICA?

                               

                                                               
 

 

 

 

 

“I bring you good news of great joy,” the angel proclaimed to the shepherds (Luke 2:10). Think about it: “GOOD news of GREAT joy!” Wow! If that were not enough, the angel added, “that will be for ALL the people.” What began as an awe-inspiring private visitation had just advanced to a magnificently breathtaking invitation to the whole world. What wonderful news for all humanity, not just then but for all generations.

That is why Isaac Watts could jubilantly proclaim, “Joy to the WORLD!” – “Let EARTH receive her King!” – “Let EVERY heart prepare Him room!"

How strange, then, that on that first Christmas most hearts were sleeping. In fact, because there was no room elsewhere, the arrival of God’s Son was relegated to a shoddy little stable out back somewhere. When King Herod heard of His birth, he was disturbed “and all Jerusalem with him” (Matt 2:3). Hmmm, they all heard the rumors of Christ’s birth. Then why had they no interest in joining the wise men in their holy quest to find and worship Israel’s newborn king? John explains, “He came to his own home, and his own people received him not” (John 1:11). In other words, “No room!”

It's been a different story in America. Starting with the early Pilgrims, Americans have done their part to prepare Christ room. In fact, Jesus Christ has been our greatest “national treasure.” For 400 years we have welcomed Him on Christmas, celebrating freely and joyously the good news of His coming.

But the landscape is changing rapidly. Secularists and others who want to rub Christian faith from American life and history relentlessly chip away at our rich Christian heritage. Increasingly, Christ must again endure the loathsome sound in His ears -- “No room!”

I remember how, just in time for Christmas a few years ago, a fifth grade teacher in Cupertino, California stirred controversy by accurately presenting students with American history not included in their textbooks. Reading from George Washington’s prayer journal and Delaware’s state constitution (which in 1776 required elected officials to profess faith in Jesus Christ), he let students hear about Christianity’s role in America’s founding. Scandalous! The embattled teacher was told in no uncertain terms, “No room!”

And the denial gets louder each year as the politically correct seek to remove all mention of Christ from the public square. In recent years, we have seen nativity scenes banned from public places; Christmas carols stopped; the Christmas story squelched; stores chasing off Salvation Army bell-ringers, the absence of sacred gifts, cards, and wrapping paper; a high school principal canceling his school’s production of the Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol”; students singing I wish you a merry holiday.

In 2010, alone, we saw acts of vandalism, offensive art, removal of Nativity scenes, Federal Reserve examiners forcing a small bank to remove religious symbols, a Christmas charity van torched, decorations ruled illegal. “No room!”

Well, I say bravo for Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe who had enough of it. He rode a horse for decades in Tulsa’s Christmas Parade of Lights. Last year, after the city changed the name to Holiday Parade of Lights, he refused to ride in the parade, saying, “I’m not going to ride in a Christmas parade that doesn’t recognize Christmas.'' Unfazed, the proud organizers refused to budge, inviting Muslims and Jews to their now inclusive parade. “No room!”

Now, the 2011 season is upon us.  Governor Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island began the season by declaring the tree standing in the Statehouse a “Holiday Tree.” He thought those who complained about it should turn their attention to real issues like feeding the poor. Didn’t Jesus hear something like this from Judas when a woman honored Him by lavishing her precious perfume on Him? (Flash! U.S. Congressmen have been strictly censored from saying "Merry Christmas" in official emails or letters to their constituents, or even using Christmas colors!!***)

Of course, this march against Christmas is hardly new. It’s been happening in subtle ways for many years -- watering it down, twisting it, even mangling it. We even welcomed a rival guest of honor and assigned him godlike status. America has been fixated on this fat, jolly, ho-ho-hoing deity for more years than any of us have been around. But now -- I certainly never thought I’d see the day! – because of his association with Christmas, even Santa has his struggles.

How short-sighted I was when only a few years back I’d playfully exhort, “Keep Christ in Christmas,” and “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.” To me, it was a gentle reminder to keep our priorities straight. It escaped me that in so short a time an all out war would erupt against Christmas and everything relevant to its true meaning. Could I imagine that Christ would no longer be welcome at His own birthday party? When I read the sentimental story, “If Christ Had Not Come”, could I dream that our culture would push for that reality? “No room!”

The national celebration of Christmas that earlier generations knew and loved may soon become a thing of the past. Yes, we’d still have lights, trees, parades, parties, gifts, greeting cards, eggnog and goodies. But it would no longer be America’s sacred holiday, just a secular one. Far from the beauty, simplicity, and majesty of the first Christmas, it would be a commercialized, self-indulgent, and godless sham celebration, deserving of its worthless tinsel.

But Christ-lovers, despair not! Let us ever remember our Lord’s humble birth. He didn’t need a Macy’s parade or a Presidential proclamation. He didn’t need anyone’s approval. They may try to replace "Merry Christmas" with "Bury Christmas," but Christ never stays buried! After more than 2,000 years of countless feeble attempts to destroy Him and His reign, He lives and His kingdom advances. In fact, the darker the darkness, the more magnificently His star shines for all the world to see.

A hostile world has always rejected Christ. His birth in a filthy stable foreshadowed his death on a loathsome cross. God’s Word says, “And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore." *

Jesus Christ was born in a particular place and time, with an incredible world-saving destiny. As we reflect again upon God's precious gift to the world, let's think of our own destiny, how God calls us, not to sit on that gift, but to share it.

Will you join me in standing up for Jesus this Christmas? Will you say, “Yes, Lord Jesus, even if I must go outside the camp of cultural approval, and even if I must bear disgrace in this world, I proclaim that there IS ROOM in my heart and life for you. I adore you, I'm not ashamed of you, I gladly make my stand with you"?

And to the world please join in proclaiming, “World, I am not ashamed of the Gospel!** I will in no way abandon the Christ of Christmas to your scruples! He is my Savior, the Savior of the world, the only hope of life and peace."

Will you go further? Will you invite lost people to find their way home to Jesus? Will you think of ways to go outside the church this Christmas and invite them to hear the "Good News of Great Joy"? Until now, they may have said, "No room!"  But Christ still says to them, "There is room for you!" Let's tell them. THIS could be their glorious day of salvation.

Go, tell it on the mountain,

Over the hills and everywhere

Go, tell it on the mountain,

That Jesus Christ is born!!

 

(*Hebrews 13:12-13, ** Romans 1:16)

(*** Take action: http://www.votervoice.net/Core/core.aspx?APP=GAC&AID=365&issueid=26935&SiteID=-1)