It's Christmas season and amidst the joy and fun lingers the realization that "The Season" will be over all too soon. Like many of you I'm sure, I love this time of year. A large portion of that is the openness with which people reference, and revere, the Savior in word and in song. Mostly I love the Spirit that seems to transform us as a people, temporary as it may be. This year though I find myself wishing for more.
The songs and stories largely tug at the heart strings with references to the sweet child, born in humble circumstances, who brings the promise of happiness, peace, goodwill, love, cheer, etc. It's very heartwarming. And it's very appropriate given that it is His birth we celebrate at this time. But I'm increasingly convinced that it's insufficient.
Even now there are numerous factions of malcontents actively engaged in trying to eradicate any mention of religion, most especially of Jesus Christ, from public discourse. Do we meet them halfway to their goal by failing to deliver His real message at the very time that people's hearts are most likely to be open? Does that make us unintentional accomplices?
As charming and touching as the story of the Savior's humble birth is, it is not the the real point. It is His victory over death, His sanctifying teachings, His redemptive sacrifice. The Master told us himself, "This is my work and my glory; to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of Man." May we truly honor Him by doing our part in bringing to pass His work.
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