As I was reading through news headlines over Christmas, I came across a headline which read, "Atheists 'hijack' Nativity Scene, Critics Say". I clicked on the link and read through the LA Times story about how Atheists won a local lottery in Santa Monica that decides who gets to use park space during Christmas. Normally nativity scenes are set up all around the park to tell the story of Christmas. This Christmas, the atheists brought their view to the park, claiming that Christmas is a myth.
If this group of Atheists really had the agenda of speaking out against myths, why not show up at the mall and pull off Santa's beard? It is not myths they have a problem with, it's God and His claim on their lives. Groups like this cause a lot of frustration for Christians around Christmastime. For some reason, we think that the world should wake up once a year and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. It should not be a surprise however, that people continue rejecting God at Christmas just like they do the rest of the year. Christ speaking in John 15:23-24 says, "He who hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles and yet they have hated both me and my Father." This truth that Christ spoke thousands of years ago still rings true. People do not want to give up sin, and any display that reminds them of their guilt, brings out their hatred toward God and His standard.
The public reaction to Christmas is not surprising, what is surprising is that this is one of the only times many Christians stand up for God. I believe these public outbursts are just a friendly reminder from God to all of us, that we need to proclaim His truth every day, not just at Christmas. In Matthew 28:19-20 Christ says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age." Our lives as Christians have been bought with the blood of Christ. He didn't just call and make a reservation for Christmas. He commanded that our lives be about sharing his good news: that He created us, that we rebelled against Him, and that the only way we can be forgiven is having faith in Christ's death for our sins. The Bible tells us that the cost of following Him is great, but the reward of eternal life with Him, is even greater.
