(Image via Wikipedia)

We have been Following the so-called ‘War on Christmas’ in America, but around the world some of the radical Muslim responses to Christmas really do rise to the level of that title. What is surprising considering the violent responses is the fact that Muslims do believe in most of the Christmas story, they just don’t believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

The following are a few stories I found this morning on Muslim responses to Christmas and the reactions of the Christian community.

-In Nigeria on Christmas, at least 5 churches were bombed with dozens of deaths among Christian worshippers and 100’s of injuries.

-In Iraq, the traditional mid-night Christmas masses have been cancelled do to threats and past terrorism on Christmas:

LONDON (CNS) — Chaldean Catholic officials have canceled traditional Christmas Eve midnight Masses because of security risks.
Chaldean Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk in northern Iraq told the agency Aid to the Church in Need that Christians will spend Christmas in "great fear" because of the risk of new attacks.
All services and Masses have been scheduled for daylight hours, he said in an interview with Rome-based AsiaNews.
"Midnight Christmas Mass has been canceled in Baghdad, Mosul and Kirkuk as a consequence of the never-ending assassinations of Christians," he said, citing the Oct. 31, 2010, attack on the Syrian Catholic cathedral that left 57 people dead in the Iraqi capital. …

-In the Gaza Strip (Palestinian territories) Christmas has been officially cancelled by the authorities. Since Hamas took over in Gaza, Christmas is no longer a recognized holiday and those outwardly celebrating it are in danger.

-In Pakistan, Christians face persecution this Christmas. Fortunately Pakistani authorities sent out 2,500 policemen throughout the country to protect churches during Christmas services this year.

Pakistan has roughly three million Christians who are constantly discriminated against and largely unemployed living in poor marginalized communities. Nevertheless they looked forward to celebrating Christmas in their communities. Those who live in mixed neighborhoods are naturally far more subdued in their outward celebrations.

Those are just the stories I found today following Christmas.

-In Egypt, the Coptic Christians will not celebrate Christmas until January 7. The last couple of years the Coptic communities have suffered violence during their Christmas services and celebrations. With the Egyptian government in total disarray, Christians in Egypt are fearful of what the season might bring this year.

*UPDATE (12/27/11):

-In Iran, during Christmas services a church (affiliated with the Assembly of God denomination) was raided by the police and everyone was arrested and detained by authorities including the children in the Sunday School. The strange part is that this is one of the 70 ‘official’ churches in that country that are supposed to be allowed to worship out in the open. Nevertheless an example was made of them on Christmas.             *Top

Related Posts?:

1. -Is Christmas Really a Pagan Holiday?
2. -Merry Christmas

                                                (Image via Wikipedia)

Merry Christmas to you and yours and may God truly bless you this Christmas Day.

The Real Christmas Story 

Last night before we tucked the Grandchildren in bed for a long winter’s night we gathered around the Tree and carried on our family Christmas Eve tradition reading about the ‘real’ Christmas story in the Bible.

You’ve probably seen a dozen or so ‘Christmas stories’ on TV in the last couple of weeks but the real Christmas story is found in Matthew (Matt. 1:18-2:18) and in Luke ( Luke 1:26-56, 2:1-40). However, Isaiah should never be ignored:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Matthew gives us the story largely from the perspective of Joseph, including the dreams that he had and his family genealogy. In this gospel the ‘Kingship’ of Jesus is the major topic. Starting with the Davidic Kingly genealogy through Joseph and the coming of the Magi (Wisemen) who are looking for the new king. Also King Herod’s reaction is in Matthew.

The events in Luke are given to us from Mary’s view. The angel Gabriel appears to Mary and announces the coming of the child. Mary’s genealogy is also given in Luke (Luke 3:23-38), she was also a descendant of David, but not in the ‘Kingly’ line. Chapter 2 begins with the Christmas story that everyone is familiar with:

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

However, nothing explains the real reason for the season better than John 3:16-17:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  -KJV

*Top

Related Posts?:

1. -Is Christmas Really a Pagan Holiday?
2. -The Real St. Nicholas

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Here’s the story of the real St. Nicholas who was a Christian Bishop in the 4th century:

The Truth About Santa Claus

What comes to mind when you think of Santa Claus? Probably jolly ol’ St. Nick in his red suit, a snowy North Pole, a sleigh pulled by reindeer, gifts for Christmas or similar images. But there’s more to "St. Nick" than just the nickname.

History tells us that an actual Christian saint by the name of Nicholas ministered in the fourth century. Mythologized and secularized though he has been, Nicholas’ deeds of compassion were authentic.

Nicholas was born in the port city of Patara in Asia Minor around A.D. 280. When he was still young he came to faith in Christ, due primarily to an uncle who was a priest. When he was about 10 years old, a plague swept Patara killing many, including Nicholas’ parents. His uncle placed him in a monastery, an act of kindness in those times.

At 19 Nicholas became a priest, and at 20 he became the bishop of Myra Lysia, now Demre, a city near Patara. He became known as a compassionate bishop who had a great love for the poor, disenfranchised and morally bankrupt.

Nicholas’ acts of mercy soon became the stuff of legends. …

<<Read the rest of the story>>             *Top

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Years ago when my children were still small I had a couple of visitors at the door on a Saturday before Christmas. The Christmas tree was up with presents all around it in preparation for the big day.

The couple at the door explained that they did not celebrate Christmas since it was really a pagan holiday- Saturnalia –a old Roman celebration of their god Saturn on December 25.

Is Christmas really a pagan celebration like the cultist couple believed?

No.

But a lot depends upon how you celebrate the holiday. If you are celebrating the birth of Saturn than it is still pagan for you and yours. If Santa Claus and his reindeer are the central focus of your celebration then the couple may have a point.

If you are celebrating and remembering the birth of Jesus Christ then it is Christian no matter what day it is on. After all there is really no mention in the Bible what day it actually happened on. Since the shepherds were watching over their sheep in the fields on that first Christmas Eve then it had to have happened sometime between May and early October.

For more than 30 years it has been a tradition in our family to read about the first Christmas in the Bible and talk about it’s significance. I used to ask our kids what Christmas was all about and the four were expected to answer back with a quote of John 3:16-17 :

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

*Top

For years Christmas and God were taken for granted in our culture. This is no longer the case.

Now the message of the original birth of the Christ child in Bethlehem needs to be proclaimed more clearly and without all of the mythic trappings that have over shadowed the real story.  Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, and Santa Claus have taken over the season so much that the simple message of God’s gift to humanity is sometimes nearly drowned out even for Christian families.

Then there is the new PC battle to rename the holiday and leave ‘Christ’ out of it all.

<<Read the rest on my main page>>            *Top

In Mosul, Iraq the persecution of Christians continued this Christmas with the bombing of St Thomas Church last Wednesday killing two men and wounded five others. Even more astounding was the attack upon the Christian community of Bartilla in Northern Iraq on Christmas Day.

Over 100 Shiite Muslims attacked the Assyrian Christian town on Christmas morning taking over the entry checkpoint, destroying Christmas decorations, throwing rocks at the Christians during a procession into the church, and then attempting to enter the church during the Christmas service and wounded 4 in a gun battle.

Meanwhile, the Christians in Bartilla are fearful of continued persecution in 2010 against their community where they have been safe for over a thousand years. For some, particularly Christians, the regime change in Iraq has ended poorly at best.

Since 2003, more than 200 Christians have been killed and thousands have been wounded by Muslim radicals in Iraq. Also, over 65 churches have been attacked or bombed. In addition, thousands of Christians have been forced to leave their homes along with all of their possessions. In the process over half of the Christian population have left the country—nearly 500,000. Meanwhile, neither the American soldiers nor the Iraqi officials have been able (or even tried) to protect the Christian community.            *Top

The Christmas story is found in Matthew (Matt. 1:18-2:18) and in Luke ( Luke 1:26-56, 2:1-40). However, Isaiah should never be ignored:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Matthew gives us the story largely from the perspective of Joseph, including the dreams that he had and his family genealogy. In this gospel the ‘Kingship’ of Jesus is the major topic. Starting with the Davidic Kingly genealogy through Joseph and the coming of the Magi (Wisemen) who are looking for the new king. Also King Herod’s reaction is in Matthew.

The events in Luke are given to us from Mary’s view. The angel Gabriel appears to Mary and announces the coming of the child. Mary’s genealogy is also given in Luke (Luke 3:23-38), she was also a descendant of David, but not in the ‘Kingly’ line. Chapter 2 begins with the Christmas story that everyone is familiar with:

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

However, nothing explains the real reason for the season better than John 3:16-17:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  -KJV

*Top

A Christmas tree in the ‘Blue Room’ of the Obama White House includes some curious choices for ornaments this year including one which features China’s mass murdering atheist Red leader—Chairman Mao. A great example for a ‘peace on earth goodwill to men’ message for Christmas?    <<Read the rest on the main AFTF page>>

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Embedded deep within a NY Times article about White House social secretary Desirée Rogers was the surprising news that the Obamas were planning a “non-religious Christmas” at the White House this year.

There were even initial plans to discontinue the traditional WH nativity display in the East Room but after much discussion the manger scene was set up after all along with most of the traditional Christmas decorations.

In talking about the Obama’s overall White House PC philosophy Ms. Rogers indicated that the Obama’s had a real concern that Americans of all faiths or even no faith would feel welcome:

“What do we want the personality and the tone of the (White House) experience to be?”

“We want it to be inclusive, diverse, representative of all Americans, celebratory, authentic. So you sit and you say, O.K., how can we make this event” — “Obama-tized.”

Response: This President is going out of his way to make everyone feel at home which is fine and dandy. But in his haste to be diverse, inclusive, and PC he has actually alienated many Christians.

First by his non-participation in the National Day of Prayer. Next in his rather secular statements and proclamations on Thanksgiving which thanked everyone except God. Now in his goal to have a PC “non-religious” Christmas.           *Top

(Picture by Road Fun via Flickr)

Pastor Rick Warren has been in the news lately as Barrack Obama’s controversial choice to say a prayer at the inaugural.

Here’s an excellent article written by Warren on the real meaning of Christmas. It’s actually an excerpt from his recent book:  The Purpose of Christmas–a timely message posted in Christianity Today Magazine online:

“Christmas is a party. Specifically, it’s a birthday party — for Jesus — and birthdays are meant to be celebrated. It’s why we say “Merry Christmas!”

Ironically, at most Christmas parties the person whose birthday we’re supposed to be celebrating is completely ignored. He’s never even mentioned. Although Jesus is the reason for the season, he’s often overlooked or merely mentioned along with Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus, the Grinch, elves, and a long list of celebrated fictional characters.

As I was writing this little book, I decided to take a survey of Christmas shoppers. I asked, “What are you celebrating this Christmas?” Most answers had nothing to do with Jesus:

• “I’m celebrating that I made it through another year.”
• “I’m celebrating being home with my family.”
• “I got a Christmas bonus.”
• “My son is home from Iraq.”
• “The candidate I voted for got elected.”
• “I’m celebrating that I’ve finished all my shopping.”
• “I’m not celebrating anything. I’m just trying to survive.”

Preparing for Christmas can be a lot of work, especially for moms. With the pressure of buying gifts, sending greeting cards, decorating our homes, putting up lights, cooking, attending parties, and cleaning up afterward, we have little time to actually enjoy the meaning of Christmas.

The first purpose of Christmas is celebration! We learn this from the angel’s opening statement to the shepherds of Bethlehem. God had wonderful news for us that would cause us all to rejoice, celebrate, and throw a party: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10 (NIV)

The good news of Christmas is worth celebrating for three reasons. It is personal: “I bring YOU.” It is positive: “GOOD news of great joy.” And it is universal: “for ALL the people.” It doesn’t matter who you are, what you’ve done, where you’ve been, or where you’re headed — this news is for you.”  <<Read the complete article>>            *Top

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