this notice was posted in America in the late 17th and early 18th centuries (Christmas was on its way back to being celebrated in the colonies by the time of the Revolution, though not fully celebrated until the 19th century, and not made a government holiday until 1870). in case you find it hard to read, it says:

PUBLICK NOTICE

The Observation of CHRISTMAS having been deemed a Sacrilege, the exchanging of Gifts and Greetings, dressing in Fine Clothing, Feasting, and similar Satanical Practices are hereby

FORBIDDEN

with the Offender liable to a Fine of FIVE SHILLINGS

do you ever wonder if we, in America, are again reaching a point where the celebration of Christmas will be outlawed? of course it wouldn’t be outlawed for the same reasons as it was in the 17th century. in fact, if it were to be banned today, the reasons for doing so would be on the completely opposite side of the spectrum from “Sacrilege.”

here’s my line of thinking. first, “Merry Christmas” was reduced to “Merry X-mas,” because of the offensiveness and intolerance of the name “Christ” to those who campaign for a more “politically correct” society. in recent years, “Merry X-mas” has been replaced by “Happy Holidays” in order to completely remove any indication that it is “Christmas,” a nearly four-letter word by now, that is being celebrated. some schools are no longer allowed to have Christmas parties and are to instead have “winter festivals.” even Santa is being outlawed from schools and businesses because he is deemed “too religious.” so it would seem that the next logical step is to completely ban Christmas. or at least remove anything and everything having to do with the Christian religion from the last 6 or so weeks of every year.

so why is this happening? because people are too worried about offending others. and deeper than that, people are too worried about frivolous lawsuits being brought against those who accidentally might let a “Merry Christmas” slip from their lips. most will probably say that they are making these new rules out of respect for other faiths. but i don’t think that’s quite accurate. i think it’s done out of nothing more than fear. fear of not being liked. fear of being gossiped about by others. fear of being called things like “intolerant” or something equivalent. maybe even fear of being harmed by those who are hostile to Christianity.

doesn’t this seem a bit ridiculous, though? especially if we remember what it is we’re supposed to be celebrating and the great hope that was not only begun but fulfilled by the birth of a child in Bethlehem so many years ago? our celebration and remembrance of Christ’s miraculous birth should not be filled with fear or anxiety over what others may think of us or do to us. it should fill us with joy. it should fill us with peace. it should fill us with hope.

so let us not be filled with fear in celebrating the birth of our Savior. let us boldly cling to Christ and let us remember what Christmas is truly about. in the immortal words of Linus Van Pelt:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.