Many pundits and prophets predict 2024 will present unprecedented challenges to the world, especially the United States. Recent years have witnessed a rising contempt for America and its Christian creed, even by its own citizens and young people. This growing darkness and deterioration has been fostered by a lack of gratitude, especially for the historic contributions of Christianity. But Christ is still with us …
A Bright Son in Darkness
(Photo by Heritage Art/Heritage Images/Getty Images)
Christians celebrate the Christmas Holiday not in blindness to our nation’s past faults and errors but in awareness that our shortcomings – individually and collectively – can only be surmounted through the aspirations toward greatness and righteousness that once distinguished this great nation. The rise of anti-Christian ideologies that posit children should be educated about sexuality from birth, that they can change their born genders like Barbie and Ken outfits, that all suffering and wealth disparity are the products of patriarchal white oppression, and attacks against established free speech, due process, and bodily integrity, etc. and ad nauseam, cannot bury the true history of our faith and nation.
As the darkness of resentment and falsehood swells against America and Jesus Christ during the Christmas holiday, Proverbs 4:18-19 comforts us that
…. the path of the just is like the shining sun,
That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know what makes them stumble. [NKJV]
The Promise of Christ
The entire world was once swept into positive change by the teachings of Jesus Christ: the treatment of the sick, poor, imprisoned, enslaved, and women all were revolutionarily improved through the Word from this one man-god. Do the screaming secularists actually dream that they would have led an abolitionist movement, or even regarded enslaved people as human without the Rabbi Christ?
Christians gratefully celebrate the savior Christ this Christmas holiday and elevate Him and His counsel of forgiveness, love, and obedience to God’s Word above the fray of politics and hatred that boils within our shredded borders. Let us pray that the veil of fear and growing separation from God is torn asunder in America in 2024 and that more people seeking the hope that Christ offers will open their eyes to the path of healing and unity that these values, ensconced in our Constitution, continue to provide.
Celebrating the Savior of Mankind
Let all humanity rejoice and celebrate the promise of Jesus Christ, once widely recognized in American culture in songs like Silent Night that acknowledged the “Son of God, Love’s pure light, Radiant beams from Thy Holy face, with the dawn of re-deeming grace.” Christ remains the center of the universe for millions of grateful believers who honor and praise Him and His evident legacy at Christmas, unashamedly, in liberty, seeking justice for all, and a new dawn of grace.
Christ still stands tallest as the counselor and forgiver, of whom Oh Holy Night proclaims:
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is Peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us Praise His Holy name
Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
Merry Christmas to all, whether Christian or not, and may the bright light of the savior’s birth bring you joy and peace this holiday.
