Not even the most negative critic can deny the change of attitude that occurs each December. Books have been written, movies filmed and relationships renewed by the change. Most people would gladly retain the feeling of Christmas but without the REASON it exists. Indeed, our culture can think of any number of “what it’s all about” reasons Christmas is special. Without concentrating on the one essential reason we can’t have an alternative to “what it’s all about.”
Consider: Sudden population movements occurred in the U.S. after December 1848, when President Polk verified substance to a rumor. He talked about GOLD in California. That accounted for the migration of hundreds of thousands of people to find their fortunes. Up to December 7, 1941, Americans remained dangerously divided on waging war in Europe. Many wanted involvement of war against Germany. Being an “arsenal of democracy” seemed plenty of involvement to most. And nearly as many chose pacifism. Why then, on December 8, 1941, did hundreds of thousands of young men flock to recruiting stations all over America? PEARL HARBOR. And on and on. Every effect has a cause. Every decision a motivation. Every response a corollary energy prompting it. Why then would we think the superior feelings in December of every year in western culture should rise from NOTHNG? As spontaneous combustion of latent feelings of good will we can’t express except ONE MONTH each year? No. Jesus Christ’s birth gives substance to all hope that would otherwise be an illusion. December teaches us that we can forgive because Jesus has forgiven us. We can love others because Jesus loved us. We can reconcile our differences because Jesus reconciled us to God. It all has a cause
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