Merry Flippin' Christmas, Grinches!

I love Kevin DeYoung's take on Christmas grinches:

It seems like every time Christmas rolls around, a couple rage-against-the-Christmas-machine blog posts go viral. The kind that blast Christians for ruining everything with commercialism, toys made in sweatshops, and too many reindeer games. For a season that’s supposed to be full of joy and peace, we can be awfully angry and confrontational this time of year. Downright grinchy at times. Do you or your kids like Santa? Get rid of him. Pronto. He’s fake. He’s not the point. He’s obese and his name is an anagram for Satan. Do you buy toys for your kids? Stop it. They don’t need them. Are you into Christmas trees? So were the pagans. Fuhgeddaboudit. Happy Holidays? Not in my face you don’t. Merry flippin’ Christmas, Walmart Greeter.

It can be easy to get wrapped up in all the negatives surrounding the Christmas season: the war against secularism; the problem of religious pluralism; the marginalization of Christ's birth. These are important challenges to be aware of. But, I think the best way to overcome these challenges is in experiencing and reflecting the JOY of the season.

There's a truly "magical" feeling that is unique to this time of year. And I am convinced that it emanates from the miracle of Jesus' birth—the radiant glory of which shines for all to see, just like the star that shone so brightly on the night He was born. That's why everyone can feel the "magic" of Christmas, even if they don't understand its true meaning or origin.

Rather than getting bent out of shape this year about how Christmas has been high-jacked by commercialism and nullified by political correctness, let's focus on the good news and proclaim it with joy. Let's trust in the unshakable power of the Christmas story. Let's be still as we kneel before the King and glory in His majesty. For we can confidently rest in the assurance that Isaiah's prophecy from around 2,700 years ago has indeed come to pass:

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned...
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this. (Isa 9:2; 6-7)