Follow-up: "Merry Christmas"

As I thought a bit more concerning the recent post, I wanted to add a few personal side notes:

Even though Christmas is most often linked to Christian beliefs, Christmas has always been "Christmas"-regardless of any religious connotations. In fact, I don't think most people would even consider Christmas strictly a religious holiday. True, many more people do attend church on December the 25th, but the overall spirit of Christmas, to a much broader society, seems to be generosity, giving, and cheer. We have always went "Christmas shopping" and many look forward to singing "Christmas carols."

Whether religion plays a role in our Christmas celebrations (however) is, quite frankly, not the issue. The thing that upsets me the most (and maybe it's just one of my own pet-peeves) is the fact that everything has to be politically correct. Every little thing is now required to apply to EVERYONE, in order to appeal to a larger audience. However, no matter what we try to do, there will always be discrepancies; there will always be those people whom will not agree with the rest of the culture.

-Jimmy

"Merry Christmas!"

Over the past few years, our local school systems and favorite fast food restaurants have decided for the rest of society that "Christmas" is a dirty word. They have deemed it appropriate, however, to impose a much more generic term to label one of the most-celebrated holidays in America. Those in authority claim that "Christmas" is too specific, that its name directs more focus on the Christian celebration which takes place on December 25th. Apparently, we as a country need to do away with "Christmas" and welcome "the holidays."

There are many, however, that still strive to keep the joys of Christmas alive. The festivities of Christmas day have been long-since celebrated including the following celebrations to bring in the new year, and it is insulting that our culture is trying to change the way many view Christmas. In fact, many workplaces do not even allow their employees to wish their customers "MERRY CHRISTMAS," but rather encourage them to shower customers with "Happy Holiday's."

The problem is obvious, and the solution is simple. Join with us as we hope to remind this world of the true meaning of Christmas: the day Jesus Christ was born as a baby, lying in a manger. He was born to die and born to save us so that, one day, we could live with Him is His heavenly realm for all of eternity. Let us be like the shepherds whom, after being told by the angels, "spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child" [Luke 2:17]. And let us be like Mary whom "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart" [Luke 2:19].

MERRY CHRISTMAS!


ACTION STEP: Wish your friends, teachers, co-workers, and family members a very "Merry Christmas!" While "Christmas" is simply a name, it represents something very special to us as Christians. As a result it is very frustrating when others try to change it. Take a stand...:)

"No God? No Problem!:" The Controversial Advertising Campaign

The American Humanist Association is back again with an even more offensive line of advertisements.

Last year, their banners read: "Why Believe in a God? Just Be Good for Goodness' Sake," and according to their website [www.americanhumanist.org] this year's ads "will be blazoned across transit systems in five cities-including Washington, D.C., New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, & San Francisco." However, this year's ads will read: "No God? No Problem! Be Good for Goodness' Sake. Humanism is the idea that you can be good without a belief in God." The exectuive director of the American Humanist Association, Roy Speckhardt, states that they are "hoping this campaign will build awarenss about the humanist movement and our [their] ethical life philosophy." The Association also "want nontheists to know there is a community of like-minded invividuals out there they can connect with." Another reason these ads are being published is to prove "millions of people are good without believing in God."

But what really is the issue? Why are they spending $40,000 to post these advertisments on over 250 Metro buses and rail cars? Speckhardt makes the argument that this "First-Ever National Godless Holiday Campaign" was not meant "to offend anyone." If this is true, why did they change last year's ad from "a God" to this year's "God?" What would be the purpose in singling out the God if their only aim is to help spread awareness of their beliefs? In addition, the American Humanist Association makes the case that many people are good, even those whom do not worship God. However, this point seems rather irrelevant...there is no question of different peoples' overall level of goodness. In fact, it is widely accepted that one does not have to be religious to do good deeds; but the difference is that religion gives those deeds meaning. Living life serving others is a beautiful thing, but what overall purpose does it serve in the end? The awesome thing about the fruit we bear as Christians, as bondservants to Christ, is that we add daily to our reward in Heaven. Even more valuable, though, is that it brings glory and honor to Him...and at the same time sows seeds in other peoples' lives.

NOW, it is time to take a stand. We should not remain subject to the insults of the ignorant--those whose eyese have yet to be opened. We must show the world that good things for Christ gives meaning and purpose and satisfaction. Ultimately, our end destination is not to prove a point or to fight back in an unChrist-like manner. Instead, we should strive to impact others for Him and fight for what is true.

It is time to take a stand.

PS. Comments welcome! Please feel free to suggest ways to lovingly combat this issue...


Sources:
1. http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/no-god-no-problem-ads-to-appear-on-metro-112309
2. http://www.americanhumanist.org/news/details/2009-11-humanists-launch-first-ever-national-godless-holiday-

Who Are Your Friends?

The Harris brothers [therebelution.com] correctly stated that "you are who your friends are." While this simply displays the importance of choosing friends who will support you in doing the right thing, it can be easy to stop it there and just choose good friends.

However, it is also important to realize that entertainment such as movies, music, time spent on Facebook, or even reading a book can influence how we live our lives. Just like you would spend time with a friend, we often spend similar time with our own forms of relaxation and entertainment. Consequently, it is vital to take the time to read the lyrics of that song you want to buy on iTunes, research the rating of the newest movie that "everyeone's watching," and try to limit time spent on the internet and social networking sites such as Facebook or Myspace. While certain movies, songs, and chatting on Facebook are good things in and of themselves, we as teenagers need to begin doing the hard thing and re-evaluate what it is that we are feeding ourselves.

For example, when I personally want to buy a new song from an artist I am not generally familiar with, I tend to look up the lyrics and think about how those lyrics may influence my life. For instance, I have made the decision to not date until I am ready for a long-term commitment. If a song has frequent references to a certain theme [like dating] that makes me question my convictions, I know that song is not for me.

Don't get me wrong, doing these things can be very hard. At first glance, it may seem exciting and a great way to practice doing hard things. However, it gets more difficult as new songs come out with even more catchier tunes!

Please join me in taking the time to consider who exactly it is that we spend our time with. Who are your friends?

Thanks for reading!

-Jimmy

This is the Future

Owl City, a new band created by Adam Young and recently growing in popularity, has put out some amazing tunes. One of my favorites is "This Is the Future." Though simple as they may be, the lyrics to this song are very profound and inspiring:

Wake up on your own
And look around you cuz you’re not alone
Release your high hopes and they’ll survive
Cuz this is the future and you are alive

Dive in and swim away
From your loneliness and miserable days

And when you wake up on your own
Look around you cuz you’re not alone
Let your hopes go and they’ll survive
Cuz this is the future and you are alive
…You’re headed home

The lyrics seem to portray the importance of making a difference in life...and making that difference through the use of collaboration. "When you wake up on your own" hints a recognition for change, a waking up to the reality of life and the reality of eternity. He tells us to "look around you cuz you're not alone"...once we realize what we're living for, we need to step out and act accordingly with others who share our convictions. Though hard as it is sometimes, we need to start living with all that we have, all we will ever be. We need to "let [our] hopes go" and give them to the One who cares, the One who will help us accomplish those dreams.

But what if we've missed it...we're "headed home" with our past behind us. How will you choose to live, if "this is the future and you are alive?"