Jeremiah 6:16 — Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

I’ve been saddened recently, and especially yesterday, by the sense that we might be failing Christmas.
Last year, in our church’s Living Christmas Tree presentation we sang “Christmas in the air, Christmas everywhere!” But it isn’t, is it? Maybe it’s just me … But I don’t think so.
My sense of loss has been heightened by Christmas shopping this year. Now I know some of you are going to say that a guy shouldn’t care about shopping — but it’s a job that has to be done, and I’m thinking we’d all like it to be in a joyous and festive environment. And this year, at our local mall I could find hardly a mention of Christmas. And yesterday, at our local outlets I couldn’t see any at all … and not much sign in fact that there was anything special about the season at all.
You might say “so what?” But there was a knock-on effect. I know Christmas shopping can often be frenetic, and even a little grumpy … but I seem to remember most people making an effort to be cheery and pleasant. And this year I haven’t felt that at all.
What really bothers me is that I think there’s a climate of opinion that is unfriendly to Christmas. It’s deep-seated and dangerous. It’s another step in a process. Activists lobby politicians to force the Bible out of schools. Schools start discouraging children’s love of the Christ of Christmas. The same activists start lobbying for equal time for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, Koliada … “Merry Christmas” becomes “Happy Holidays”. Christians defending our faith are characterized as bigoted, racists an worse … and Christmas is no longer a cherished iconic time of togetherness.
I see the “reason for the season” being denied. Much “Christmas” giving takes on an obligatory character, becoming a form of worship of wealth. I’m reminded of a verse in the Revelation:

And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. (Revelation 11:10)

So much of the spirit of generosity seems to be morphing into a materialistic celebration as the witness of Christmas is undermined.
We need to “Stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein.” We need to find and favor retailers who speak up for Christmas and not just retailers — how about car dealers, and doctors, and lawyers and … well you get the idea.
Come on people! It’s time to restate the reason for the season, and take back December!