Everywhere I turn, it’s beginning to look more like Christmas. Carols are humming over the airwaves, stores are decked in red and green, and Santa and his elves are peering around every corner.
As a Christ follower, this is the season I celebrate His birth. It’s the time when the God of creation stepped into the world and divided time . . . B.C from A.D. It doesn’t matter that scholars are renaming the divide; we can’t argue who initiated it.
The season is also a time of unprecedented political correctness. It’s no longer Merry Christmas. Instead a chorus of Happy Holidays fills the air. Schools aren’t out for Christmas but close for winter break. It’s not inclusive enough to have a Christmas party—only generalized holiday themed celebrations are lauded for their open-mindedness. Christmas, it’s argued, is only for Christians. It’s too exclusive and leaves people on the outside of the fun.
Everyone seems to have forgotten God came to save the world—the entire world. I don’t think it can get more inclusive than that.
So this year, I’ll be unashamed as I remind everyone I meet that they are included in Christmas. The message isn’t one of exclusivity, but one of love. It’s the season of God’s outstretched arms, encircling a cold world in His loving embrace through the birth of a baby.
Celebrate Christmas’ message of love.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Edie Melson—author, editor, and blogger—is a leading professional within the writing industry, as well as a popular inspirational speaker and mentor. She’s the author of While My Soldier Serves: Prayers for Those with Loved Ones in the Military (Worthy Inspired). She’s also the military family blogger for Guideposts at While They Serve. In addition, as a respected expert in social media, Edie has the proven expertise to teach others how to plug in without sacrificing valuable writing time. Her bestselling eBook on this subject has recently been updated, expanded and re-released as Connections: Social Media & Networking Techniques for Writers.