The People Behind the Ban on “Merry Christmas!”

I'm surprised! December is almost half over and I'm yet to hear of any “Merry Christmas” boycotts. Am I just out of the loop? I'm sure there are some who are avoiding their favorite coffee shop because they use the wrong cups but overall there doesn't seem to be an issue this year. Still, I find myself thinking about (concerned about) the people who were behind the bans on saying “Merry Christmas” in the first place. What's going on in their hearts that they miss the joy that comes with acknowledging the "reason for the season"?

Who is it that would go as far as trying to ban the words “Merry Christmas,” from being said at Christmas? Some are people who are afraid of offending others and are perhaps even offended themselves at the mention of anything having to do with Jesus Christ. Where believers see the love expressed that day in a Jerusalem manger some seem to see anything but love and compassion, bristling at a narrative that challenges their belief about themselves and the world around them. For them a Nativity Scene represents exclusion and pain and even ignorance, anything but the idea of a light coming into this world that all might be set free.

Others suffer a pain of a different kind, for which the sounds of the season become a burden. For them the holidays represent emptiness or loss. Perhaps they come from a broken family with Christmas serving as a reminder of the physical and emotional distance that comes when a marriage or when any other close relationship fails. There are many out there suffering emotional distress because of mental illness or simply because they are alone. I can see how the words “Merry Christmas” might stir up internal turmoil instead of the uplifting intended by the person speaking.

Do I agree that “Merry Christmas” should be banned from the public square? Of course I do not. But as one for whom the season once represented the most wonderful depths of depression, I want to challenge fellow believers to do better. Don't just say the words. Act on their real meaning. On Christmas we celebrate God reaching out to us in a miraculous way so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Like our Lord let us reach out to others, including those who are offended by Christ. Reflect the light and the unconditional love that changes hearts. Live the truth that sets people free. Help others see the One in whom we might truly enjoy the season.

I Asked. God Answered. Lesson Learned.

How A Soldier’s Testimony Opened My Eyes

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I had just read Matthew 15:29-31 where Jesus goes up to the top of a mountain and heals a multitude of people. The people marveled at these healings, noting that even those who were maimed had been healed. Imagine, people with permanent injuries (some perhaps even missing body parts) were healed. That sounds amazing but it left me with a question which I asked of God. There was no point in hiding my question as He knew what was on my heart before I formed the thought. I asked, “God, why are some who are maimed not healed?” I did not expect an answer and I definitely did not expect God to answer in the way did.

A day or two after asking my question I was listening to a Focus on the Family program with an interview of a wounded veteran. This veteran shared how he was injured in battle and how God is using his injuries to help others. He spoke of how he even had the chance to show God’s love to a man who was nearby when he was injured but was wearing the uniform of the enemy. The two met many years after his injury and his one time enemy recognized him when he heard what happened during the war. The injury helped these two men becoming friends. It was a powerful testimony that left me praising my Lord.

Sometimes instead of healing the maimed, God uses their injuries to reach others for Christ. In so doing He offers people the opportunity to receive healing from something much deeper than physical injuries. No, I do not buy into the idea of God allowing or causing injuries just so He can use them and I am not writing this to give a one size fits all answer as to why God allows certain things to happen. I do believe He works all for the good of those who love Him and are called by His name (Romans 8:28). In this case He used this solder’s testimony to answer my question and to reach the lost for Christ.

Had I listened to this program a few days earlier or a few days later I likely would not have recognized that this was one of many answers to my question. I would not have recognized how God generally heals and when He does not it is because something big is on the horizon. (What I heard on the radio is just one way God can make something great out of what seems to us to be something bad.) God orchestrated the timing so that I would recognize His answer. I thank God, praising Him for answering and for making His presence known to me in this way.

How God Blessed Us in November 2019

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Jesus said that the angels who are charged with watching over children have unlimited access to God’s throne (Matthew 18:10). I take great comfort in knowing God watches over my family. And when one of my sons has to deal with life's difficulties, I get the blessing of seeing how God keeps His promises in their lives.

Due in part to a miscommunication, one of my sons saw a door close on an opportunity. He was understandably disappointed. I thank God that my sons are both comfortable with sharing their hurts with me. I also thank God for reminding us both of His promise that all things work for our good (Romans 8:28). After a few days God opened a door and my son got to see God at work. I was reminded that the best thing I can do for my sons is to trust their future into the hands of my Lord.

Every one of God's promises is an opportunity for us to be blessed. They are also opportunities for us to teach others how to recognize God's blessings. In November I was blessed by seeing God's promise fulfilled as a blessing in my son's life. How have you been blessed? Have you seen God"s promises fulfilled? Tell me on Twitter (@denniscoleman) or via email. I would love to hear what God is doing in your life.