Childress Family

Let’s Cancel Christmas

Isaiah 9:5 For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given.

I love Christmas with all the twinkling, sparkling, glittering lights bouncing off of the beautiful green, red and gold decorations. But wait a minute! What is that big orange ball staring at me with a carved face and yellow lights that are shining through? Oh, it’s just a jack-o-lantern. And what is that sitting on top of that turkey platter? Oh, it’s just a witch’s hat adorning the head of the black cat.

I’m not being facetious. It’s true! We bundle all of these days together. With the exception of all the promotions for buying and spending, Christmas is the least recognized for the true meaning behind it. We went into a popular named store during the month of August and the signs of Halloween,

Thanksgiving and Christmas were all displayed on the shelves. I believe the world calls it “marketing.” Merchants are trying to beat their competitors in the battle for big bucks which are made from the Christmas spending by all of us foolish Americans. We have turned this wonderful, warm, memory-filled day into a gift buying and spending frenzy.

Yes, I love Christmas. But why do I love Christmas? Is it because of the above mentioned scripture or is it because of all this commercialism placed around it and the unending desire of men for more, more, more?

Christmas and Easter are two of our yearly holidays that revolve around our Christ. Those two holidays are Christian celebrations that remind us of the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God’s gift to the world which was given on the first Christmas morning. It is distressing that there are employees in certain businesses from all around our country who aren’t even allowed to greet us with a “Merry Christmas” because of the acknowledgment of Jesus Christ. Nativity scenes have been ordered off of certain properties that are considered government owned. Any sign that resembles the reason we celebrate Christmas is being removed from the face of America.

Now do you understand the reason for my title, “Let’s Cancel Christmas”? If it’s not about Christ, then we shouldn’t celebrate. Whoever heard of a birthday party where the guest of honor had not been invited or acknowledged?

The gift God gave is eternal and it was for everyone. No one is excluded. It cost Heaven the best it had, but it was free for everyone. It fits everyone and you won’t have to exchange it. It is guaranteed for eternity and carries the fringe benefits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. What a gift! Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Okay, we won’t cancel Christmas, but I do pray that each of us will stop and reflect upon the true reason for the season. Merry Christmas!

Father, at this season let the souls of men find joy and peace in Your name.

Childress Family

Ken and Marlene Childress began singing with their children, Teresa, Carla and Shannon, almost 40 years ago. Ken had been singing with a quartet called The Golden Keys. But when he and Marlene discovered that their children were blessed with the ability to sing harmony and play instruments at a young age, they decided to form The Childress Family. Teresa played the piano and a short time later, Carla picked up the bass guitar and began to play. Their son, Shannon, was a high tenor singer until about age 13, when his voice went to the other end of the spectrum and he sang low bass. Marlene has been blessed with the ability to write some wonderful songs that have been recorded by numerous artists in the gospel music industry.
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