Tuesday, December 24, 2013
From: Gary L. Bauer
The Greatest Gift Ever Given
I recently ran across a depressing PBS news report. It was headlined: “Move Over ‘O Holy Night,’ Only Half Of Americans See Christmas As Religious.”
The story was based on a recent Pew poll finding that while 92% of Americans will celebrate Christmas, only 51% say it is more of a religious holiday. If barely half the country recognizes that Christmas is a celebration of Christ’s birth, is it any wonder that God is increasingly unwelcome in the public square?
Looking back at 2013, it is hard to not get discouraged: The Supreme Court overturned thousands of years of history and religious teaching by accepting a radical redefinition of marriage. The trial of abortionist Kermit Gosnell highlighted the horror of the culture of death that exists in America today. And the controversy involving Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson shows just how far the left has pulled America from our moral foundation.
America is at cultural crossroads.
But no headline, no sorrow of life should turn our hearts from the love of God and the greatest gift ever given!
When the Christ Child came into the world, his cry pierced the night and split all of human history in half. No one can predict the headlines in the weeks and months ahead, but we can rest assured that one day every head will bow and every knee will bend before the King of Kings.
PBS notwithstanding, Christmas is indeed a religious celebration. To help set the tone, I’d like to share with you the lyrics to the classic Christmas hymn, O Holy Night:
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.Fall on your knees, oh, hear the angel voices!
Oh, night divine, oh, night when Christ was born!
Oh, night divine, oh, night, oh, night divine!Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother,
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! Oh, praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
His power and glory evermore proclaim!
My friends, I thank God for each and every one of you. Your prayers and encouragement sustain me as we continue to fight the good fight for faith, family and freedom.
Merry Christmas! And may you enjoy all of God’s richest blessings in the year ahead.
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