A Christmas Poem

Twas the season of Christmas and all through the blogs
The brothers were looking for splinters not logs
Their research all polished, their doctrines all right
Their keyboards all whirled with their new found insight

Their children were safe with the holiday dead
No more visions of satan-clause would dance in their head
No more solstices, sun gods, or masses from Rome
Would ever again secretly defile their home

The grandparents warned not to wrap or to light
If they had any hopes to see grandkids that night
With fervent devotion to testify clear
We’ll have no esteem for this time of year

We’re Christians, not pagans the cry can be heard
To think that this season is good is absurd
No more stockings or tinsel or Christmas tree smell,
No more mangers or myths of three wise men to tell

Down with Santa, down with Rudolph, down with holiday ball
We don’t see any merit or good in it all
We’ve studied, we’ve read, we’ve uncovered the story
This is one holiday we’ll no longer give glory

We’re Christians, we’re making our position clear
We touch not, we taste not, this holiday cheer
We’re set apart from all this deceptive glee
We once were deluded but now we can see

Actually, I thought we were getting along pretty well in our differences . . . maybe I'm missing something.

Without a sarcasm tag or some other indicator (such as a :-) face) I can not find a way to spin this in a friendly direction. As one who is outspoken against the celebration It leaves me feeling unwelcome. Perhaps, I should remove myself until another month rolls around.

white stone

As the author of the poem, allow me to reveal my intentions. The word translated "disputes" in Titus 3:9 comes from the root word for zeal - used in the context of seeking out something so intensly that it causes divisions. Every season sincerely zealous individuals begin to engage in the proliferation of information intended to draw other believers into a dialogue about the origins of Christmas. The poem represents this kind of zealot fully convinced he is doing a service to the church and his family and friends by exposing the origins of the holiday. Rather than being fully convinced in their own mind, they instigate dialogue to persuade others. If you read the words of the poem as they were intended you will see that I am representing an extreme. There are many "Christians" out there who make these statements, who alienate their families, who make it a point to be known as non-participants. Extreme positions are distasteful, but rarely does the person holding them realize just how extreme they are.

I guess I'm not sure if this is against the celebration of Christmas all together or if it is merely against the "Americanization" of what Christmas is.

Needless to say, good job at structuring the poem. It flowed just like "Twas the Night before Christmas".

Extreme positions are distasteful, but rarely does the person holding them realize just how extreme they are.

Where does one draw the line?

I would like to make a comment about the anti-Christmas mindset. And I will get very personal and also know what story I will relate may not be the norm - I do not know because I know very few non-observant-Christmas Christians.

My husband has a brother who did not believe in observing Christmas. They decried the money wasted in beautiful gift-wrapping paper, ribbon. Money wasted everywhere! No gifts were ever shared with the rest of the family and neither did one feel motivated to share with them BECAUSE they did not know how to receive one graciously. (One time their son got a flashlight in school and because it did not work they returned it to the giver for replacement!!)

Fast forward. This family has now relaxed in their observance of Christmas but this son and his family are so anti-Christmas it is downright scary. So scary it makes us think they are cultic and it flows over into how they view Jesus.

Extreme, perhaps. But may I warn you that this anti-Christmas sentiment may have some serious fallout somewhere down the line. Not only is the doctrine of Jesus being questioned, so also is their ability to give and receive warped. What happened in my in-laws family did not occur in a few years - it took many.

Our story - for whatever it is worth.

ginnyrose

The gift is Christ.

I understand the line HeartSong [u]and many others[/u] have drawn. It does not need to diminish a tiny bit the Joy and Love and thanksgiving of every thought on the gift of the Father.

I am right now remembering the day in July I was singing in my back yard garden, "Joy to the World." It was wonderful.

I have been singing "O Holy Night" for months now . . . not sure why, but it has been on my heart.

I am right now remembering the day in July I was singing in my back yard garden, "Joy to the World." It was wonderful.

After posting this story, I got to thinking....afraid that I may have left a wrong impression.

I believe Scripture is the final authority in matters of life regardless of circumstances, happenings. I also know life provides one with some interesting things to think about, not that they are authoritative, but usually will confirm God's Word somewhere and even if you have an incident that appears to contradict the WORD, the Word still has the final say...

Just wanted to clarify my position on stories and its value. (BTW: scripture is full of 'em.)

And if someone believes in his/her heart that one should not celebrate Christmas, you will not get any criticism from me. I just hope you do love the Lord Jesus and do live to honor Him, revere Him as God. In my limited experience in MS I have not seen it. Another family I know who does not believe in Christmas, also believes the Holy Spirit will cease to exist in his current form in eternity, or cease to exist altogether. Weird. See why I am a tad bit leery of this mindset?

God bless you all as you serve him.

ginnyrose

I was thinking of not referring directly to "Saturday" anymore as I believe it is a direct relation to the god Saturn. Also I am thinking of renaming the planets. I can't think of any safe names yet but I will soon. "This is all sarcasm by the way :)"

I understand that we are called to a fine line of truth as Christians. However, I will praise Jesus whether it is Saturday or if Jupiter appears in the night sky. And if Saturday gives me a reason to not go to work but instead spend time with my family, then I will bless Saturday. If Jupiter appearing in the night sky means that I may spend time gazing at it with Christian brothers then I will bless Jupiter (the planet not the god.) So if Christmas gives me a reason to bless others, spend time with my family, and be cheerful about the birth of Christ, then I will bless Christmas. Even if it is "meat sacrificed to idols." I will take whatever good I can from it, and thank the Lord. I say, praise God for whatever good I can get.