We Advance In Years

People say that as we advance in years, time seems to go faster. I do notice the phenomenon and hope it doesn't advance to the point that I wake up this morning and it's already tomorrow. Thinking of the rather surprising pass of time, if you have been in a store since September, you may know that Christmas is upon us! Advent began on the first Sunday in December and as always, it is a good time to start thinking about the purpose of Advent—the time of Christian preparation for celebrating the coming of the Christ. That is, Christmas!
One of the things that this time always brings is that "Happy Holidays" problem. You know, the question of what we say to people in stores who say the lawyer-approved, ACLU-proof, let's-not-offend-the-angry pagan greeting of "Happy Holidays". To people who are Christmas shopping, at Christmas sales, for Christmas presents in an effort to celebrate Christmas. Hmm, that does seem ludicrous, doesn't it? If all this decoration and hubbub have nothing to do with Christmas and only some vague holiday, then where are the July 15th St. Swithin's Day sales? Where, I ask, are the giant inflatable candy bars in celebration of National Chocolate Day (Oct. 28)? Christmas seems to have some larger meaning. Yet many don't know what.
Personally, I resist the urge to reply with "And a Happy Excess Commercialism Day to you!" No, I see this as an opportunity to simply say something like "I celebrate the birth of Jesus, feel free to wish me a Merry Christmas.” And if the Spirit moves me with the person, I may ask; “Will you be celebrating Jesus' birth?" The people to whom I've said this (or something like it) have universally looked relieved and said "Merry Christmas." Simple, gentle & may even provoke thought about Christmas. Jesus the Christ. Eternity, even.
The fact that I feel the need to address this says: 1) that Satan has imposing cultural influence, and 2) that Satan is scared. I think the Evil one has always had lots of influence, this is nothing new. History and the current world show entire cultures devoted to satanic principles, so we shouldn't be surprised. But still, Satan is scared of what Christmas starts and Easter finishes-- salvation from our sins that slips us out of Satan's grip. So, he is working hard to shove the real significance and opportunity of Christmas aside and replace it with a commercial day of gifts, family & food. Not that gifts, family & food are intrinsically bad, but they are shallow substitutes for a Savior who offers us eternity, forgiveness and the conquest of sin. Distractions, even. Ah, sweet distractions. If we can be distracted from preparing and discussing Eternity and the return of Christ--so much the better--So thinks the Enemy. Beth Moore wrote: "If destruction fails to entangle us, distraction will do its best."
Be encouraged then, Advent and Christmas are preparation and celebration of God's love for us seen in God coming to earth as Jesus to conquer sin and eternal death. And such a celebration can't come too soon!