For about the past two decades, those to the left side of the sociopolitical spectrum have made such a fuss over their hostility towards traditional American holidays and celebrations that the arising disputations have themselves become an anticipated aspect of the close of each year. It was claimed such festivities promote values so vile that these sentiments must be expunged from the civic calendar and the very names seldom mentioned for fear of irrevocably harming those not participating for whatever the reason.

Though not always cognizant of the epic spiritual and philosophical struggle taking place all around them, Americans can be a remarkably stubborn and independent lot. As such, a number sympathetic to the process of communalization have realized that they might be more successful in accomplishing their goals through a subdued gradualism rather than through sudden revolutionary upheaval.

The first of the remembrances of the waning year subverted by manipulative social engineers is Thanksgiving. This holiday is despised for a number of common liberal reasons.

For starters, it is argued that Thanksgiving is racist because of the hostilities that eventually erupted between Americans of European origins and the American Indians. However, such criticism fails to recognize that, at the time of the first Thanksgiving Feast, these distinct groups were at accord with one another over the blessings shared amidst hardships and struggle.

Frankly, if you have a problem over the concept of Thanksgiving, you have a serious attitude problem. No one is saying that at points that the Indians weren’t screwed over. Yet it must be remembered that some of them gave as good as they got in terms of inflicting violence upon innocent Whites not responsible for crafting or implementing policy.

So if you can’t take a few moments to express gratitude for what you do have in this country as a result of the values set in motion there at the beginning even if they weren’t adhered to in full at every step along the way, you are yourself harboring a degree of animosity bordering on racism.

The next and probably deeper reason as to why Thanksgiving is really despised despite all the lofty platitudes regarding honoring indigenous cultures and the like is that the day expresses gratitude towards God. In this era of postmodern enlightenment, such homage is to be directed more towards terrestrial sources, the COMMUNITY being foremost among them.

Usually when given the opportunity in a public forum such as the popular press to provide words of encouragement and understanding, those holding positions as professional clergy worthy of their hirer tend to draw focus to what God has done for us, how we have fallen short of the glory of God, and how He still loves us anyway with restoration available for those placing themselves under His mercy. Interestingly, pastors of Emergent Church inclinations would rather go along with the flow rather than prevent the nation’s downward slide into tyranny and desolation.

Writing in the November 2011 edition of the Hyattsville Life & Times, pastor of the town’s First Baptist Church Todd Thomason asserts that the thing he is grateful for this Thanksgiving season is not so much his God, his freedom, or even his family but rather COMMUNITY. In other words, this pastor does not value people as individuals but rather as part of the overall group.

In his analysis, Thomason in particular reflected upon a power outage following Hurricane Irene. Commenting on what took place, the pastor observes, “But I was hardly the only person offering assistance. It was a wonderful display of community at its best.”

If this represents the kind of spiritual insight available at this particular congregation, no wonder the discerning get the impression it is becoming increasingly ensnared in the clutches of communalism.

Thomason continues, “Then the lights came back on and we all went back…to our narrower, more familiar life patterns that…keep us apart.”

What this misguided cleric fails to realize is that, by its definition, community does not include everyone and by its nature is necessarily exclusive. That is not necessarily a bad thing.

In a paragraph following this lamentation, Pastor Thomason lists a number of things that he views as obstacles to social harmony. These include categories such as economic status, political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Why aren’t these valid categories around which to in part derive one’s social identity?

G.K. Chesterton is credited with saying that one should not take a fence down until you know why it was put up. Sometimes the best way to maintain amicable relations is to limit one’s interactions with those whose values are diametrically opposed to one’s own.

Rev. Thomason, on the other hand, advocates such a compulsory and contrived degree of togetherness that one ought to willingly surrender those convictions of the heart one holds most dear. For usually in those kinds of situations where the parties involved hold to conflicting perspectives, it is the party holding to the higher standard that is forced to adopt the more lax principle.

For example, in terms of religion, if this is not to be one of the categories by which we determine those from the within from those from the without, it is usually the ones that believe that faith alone in Jesus Christ without reliance upon good works is the only means of eternal salvation and not those that believe all paths are equally valid so long as our good works outweigh our evil deeds that are forced to compromise in the name of ecumenical unity. Likewise in regards to sexual orientation, when we supposedly come together setting aside our differences, in the postmodern context that does not mean the promiscuous elevate their behavior by henceforward living lives of repentant abstinence, covenantal monogamy, or at least keep their mouths shut regarding what kinky proclivities they might be into. Rather, it ends up that those espousing a traditional morality are the ones not only shamed into silence but forced to smile and applaud in affirmation under threat of punitive denunciation.

Until recently, the disputes regarding Thanksgiving have for the most part been of a more subdued or subtle nature. Some of the really great battles of the culture war have instead broken out over Christmas.

The key to winning any conflict is controlling how that conflict is expressed in terms of language and conceptualization. Those that despise Christmas and the Christ that the celebration was originally intended to honor have gone to considerable lengths to minimize the mention of the day’s very name.

Occasionally this is accomplished under threat of some kind of punishment on the part of the state. More often, this is achieved by attempting to shame these words out of common usage by crafting elaborate reasons as to why the values given lip service by petty despots such diversity, inclusion, and hyperpluralism are to be extolled at the expense of those preferred by the average person.

For example, the Hyattsville Reporter insert of the November 2011 edition of the Hyattsville Life & Times lists a number of events to be held by the municipality throughout the month of December such as the “Annual Holiday Tree Lighting”, breakfast with Santa, and a memorial toy drive. At no point in the announcement is the reader informed as to why these events are being held this time of year rather than in the middle of the summer as Christmas is never mentioned.

In the past, it was claimed in connection with this very issue that the phraseology “holiday” has to be utilized since not everyone celebrates Christmas. If so, then why is the word invoked in the column immediately to the left?

The heading reads none other than “We’re Dreaming Of A Green Christmas”. However, what follows does not so much detail what certain individuals plan to do themselves but rather what they hope to guilt trip everybody else into.

For example, in regards to gifts, it is literally insinuated “You shouldn’t have.” Instead of traditional gifts, the responsible consumer rather gives donations to charities or purchases locally made items. In other words, things nobody really wants.

As in the case of the blurb about domestic artificial and locally grown trees, the reason behind locally produced gift items has nothing to do with bolstering the U.S. economy. Rather, it is about reducing the distance for ecological reasons the miles goods and supplies are transported. But unless an artist or craftsman forges, smelts, or mixes their own supplies, does it really matter if the assorted petrochemicals are assembled down the street or across the country since they will still have to travel the exact same distance?

In “The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe”, the tyranny imposed by the White Witch upon Narnia is categorized as it being always winter but never Christmas. It seems now the next stage of villainy has developed where the White Witches of our own time and realm instead wish to use the trappings of this celebration as a tactic in the attempt to implement their assorted agendas.

by Frederick Meekins

 

WesternFront America

Why do some merchants and media call it just a holiday? People stand in line at malls after Thanksgiving and rush through the doors to buy, buy and buy.

Is this Christmas?

Partly, but the true meaning of the Christmas Season is about the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is also about helping people.

During the year of our Lord 1919, the folks of Atlanta, Georgia were preparing for Christmas. This holy day was a special time for family, friends and children. People went to church or synagogue and gave thanks to God for their many blessings.

There were, however, some who were not as fortunate!

The aging veterans of the Confederate Soldier’s Home were proud men who had braved many a battle in the 1860s. One of these men was former Captain Thomas Yopp who saw battle in such places as Fredericksburg, Virginia where a cannon ball shell knocked him unconscious.

The man who stayed with him until he recovered was his servant who had also joined the 14th Georgia Regiment. Bill Yopp was more then a servant; he and Thomas Yopp were friends who hunted and fished together.

Bill Yopp, a Black Confederate veteran, was sympathetic to the men of the Atlanta’s soldiers home who had been his compatriots in arms over 50 years earlier.

During the War Between the States, 1861-1865, Bill Yopp was nicknamed “Ten Cent Bill” because of the money he made shinning shoes. He did this for the soldiers at a dime a shine and ended up with more money than most of his comrades. The soldiers did not mind him doing this and took care of him when he was sick.

During the Christmas of 1919, Bill wanted to pay back the kindness that was shown him. He first caught a train to Macon, Georgia where he was offered help by a newspaper editor. He then took a train to Savannah where he raised Christmas money for the veterans.

Just weeks before the Christmas of 1919, Bill had raised the money and Georgia’s Governor Hugh Dorsey helped him distribute envelopes of three dollars to each veteran. This was a great deal of money in those days.

The old Confederates were speechless. Tears were shed because of Bill Yopp’s good heart and kind deed. Many of those men had little or nothing. Bill was invited to come into the home’s chapel to say a few words.

Bill Yopp was presented a medal of appreciation for his support of the soldiers and was later voted in as a resident of the Confederate Soldier’s home where he spent his remaining years.

Bill Yopp died on June 3, 1936, the birthday of the Confederacy’s President Jefferson Davis. Bill was buried at the Confederate Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia.

Christmas is about love, forgiveness, old friends, family and the child who became Savior of the world.

2011 marks the 150^th Anniversary of the War Between the States and the Georgia Division Sons of Confederate Veterans is airing a video on TV commemorating this time in American History. See more information at: http://www.150wbts.org/

Please read Charles Pitt’s book “Ten Cent Bill” for more about Bill Yopp.

Merry Christmas!

Calvin E. Johnson, Jr., Speaker, Writer, Author of book “When America Stood for God, Family and Country” and member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

 

WesternFront America

Some may claim that this headline is a little strong. But if one goes back and studies history, one finds that Hitler also deemphasized the religious aspects of Christmas in deference to a generalized “winter holiday”.

This was only Obama’s first Christmas in the Oval Office. Yet the President has already tried to de-Christ Christmas in at least two instances.

It has come to public’s attention that the White House considered not putting up its Nativity display. Instead, plans were considered for a “more inclusive” Christmas.

G.K. Chesterton said “Religious liberty might suppose to mean that everybody is free to discuss religion. In practice it means that hardly anybody is allowed to mention it.” So in the vain attempt to feign a posture of expansive sensitivity, the Obama administration was on the verge of excluding those who had someone sitting on the throne of their hearts other than Barack Obama.

The President provided more insight into his theology at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse just beyond the White House. Obama said, “Tonight, we celebrate a story that is as beautiful as it is simple. This story of a child born far from home to parents guided only by faith, but who would ultimately spread a message that has endured for more than 2000 years — that…we are each called to love one another as brother and sister.”

That is only part of the story. While Christ did come into the world to teach us that we are to love one another, more importantly, that love is only possible as a result of the part of His message that Obama deliberately omitted. That is that Christ came into the world to die for our sins and to rise from the dead so that whosoever would believe in Him would have everlasting life.

However, Obama is not even content to allow Christians to bask for a moment in the glory of a watered down version of their holiday as something unique this particular belief system has given to the world. He has to take that away from them as well, and in so doing, Obama reveals the most dangerous aspects of his worldview.

Obama continued, “While this story may be a Christian one, its lesson is universal. It speaks to the hope we share as a people. And it represents a tradition that we celebrate as a country — a tradition that has come to represent more than any one holiday or religion — but a season of brotherhood and generosity to our fellow citizens.”

It is interesting and revealing to compare Il Duce’s minimalist recognition of Christmas and the Christian message as merely a generalized world religion with “universal themes” with him being all a flutter earlier in the year during the White House Ramadan celebration over the contribution of Islam to civilization. Of this faith, Obama said, “Islam as we know is part of America. Like the broader American citizenry, the American Muslim community is one of extraordinary dynamism and diversity. On this occasion, we celebrate how much Muslims have enriched America and its culture in ways large and small.”

What is it exactly that Islam has done for America? One might make a case that the Muslim world played a role in preserving the collected learning of Mediterranean civilization during the Dark Ages.

But that was about a thousand years ago. How much longer are they going to slide by on this accomplishment and hold it over our heads? Though many Muslims live respectable and unassuming lives, for the most part Islam has become more of a liability than an asset to the United States.

At this point in his administration, one has to admit that Obama has not yet crossed the line to become a Hitlerian figure. However, there are a number of mechanisms in place such as expansive versions of COMMUNITY service and a litany of advisors with an appallingly low view of individual human life such as Cass Sustein, John Holdren, and Ezekiel Emanuel that would easily allow for the transition into such a nightmare scenario should a fortuitous calamity just happen to transpire.

For even though Nazi Germany will forever serve as a warning as to the ultimate outcome of ethnic hostility and suspicion allowed to fester out of control unchecked, this was far from that regimes only shortcoming. A common characteristic of all forms of collectivism is a fundamental hostility towards God as the ultimate authority and a propensity to subordinate the traditional accoutrements of religion to the state as a result of this presupposition.

For example, in an address at Georgetown University (an explicitly religious institution of higher learning), Obama, like a vampire unable to look upon a cross, demanded that images or references to Christ be covered over with a black cloth. Even more disconcerting is the commentary compliance with this request makes regarding the spineless nature of contemporary Christianity. Though it might have cost them the photo op, university administrators should have told Obama to go to Sheol (or perhaps at least Purgatory since this was a Catholic school).

One can assume that how one’s Christmas tree is decorated is a reflection of the things an individual holds most dear. For example, a perfectionist will have a tree where the ornaments are all the same and placed at uniform distances all just so. Someone that places a high value on family and memories will have a hodgepodge of treasures spanning the decades that barely go together aesthetically yet bring tears of joy to those that hold such knick-knacks dear.

One must, therefore, ask what does it mean when someone allows an ornament of Chairman Mao and one of their own visage superimposed upon Mount Rushmore placed upon a tree under that person’s authority? Some might dismiss the matter, saying that there are all kinds of eccentric decorations (after all, I have a Garfield bike reflector from a box of 1980’s cereal on my tree).

However, one cannot help but be a bit more concerned when one learns that the queerly decorated tree (there is also a transexual ornament dangling from its branches) is found in the White House? For victims of the public school system, Mao was the Communist Chinese dictator whose regime killed even more that Hitler’s did.

So isn’t this the equivalent of placing a swastika atop of the tree? This is even more disturbing when it is considered in conjunction with the ornament of Obama’s countenance elevated to Mount Rushmore status.

Anyone that would place a Mao ornament upon a tree no doubt admires those wielding absolute power who do not care at all how many lives are destroyed in the attempt to remake reality in compliance with some ideological vision. Anyone of political significance allowing an ornament with themselves added to Mount Rushmore on their tree believes that they ought to be the one to remake society.

From an objective historical standpoint, what we know as Christmas grew out of originally pagan celebrations that were imbued with new meanings as society came to embrace more explicitly Christian values and perspectives. It is thus only natural that, as society slides downward morally, the one heralded by the reprobate as something akin to a post-Christian messiah would want to metaphorically see himself in the manger rather than the Christ that reminds each of us just how far short we all fall of glory of God.

 

WesternFront America

I’ll be honest here. I’m a Christian and have been since I was a child. I believe and respect a distinctly Christian Christmas. Jesus. The manger. The Virgin Birth. All of it, as do many Americans.

But here’s the thing. I have no problem if you don’t adhere to that. If you celebrate Hanukkah that’s hunky-dory. If you are more secular too then that is no problem by me. Anything in-between is ‘A’-ok as well.

What I do have a problem with is people stretching to the most preposterous lengths of PC-inclusiveness during the Christmas season. Like, I am talking; Obamanation Japanese Emperor bow-type stretching. I have a problem with people that are disgusted by the mere word Christmas. I have a problem with those that throw out the Baby Jesus with the bath water:

No religious option here of any sort. Coming from the political party of anti-christian intolerance it is surely not surprising. Not a peep here of Christmas, other than the tree. The Jewish religion gets a little bit of a nod, (all those Jewish liberals after all), with a dreidel option of card. Of course a little spinning top is hardly a wholesale statement of Orthodox Judaism. As would be many other options to point to the traditional aspect of the celebration of Christmas. I know that you deplore that DCCC as do your candidates, party leaders and many of your constituents.

I equally deplore your anti-religious bigotry, 75% income tax rates, a bankrupted future, health care rationing, cradle to grave entitlements, socialism, despotism, moral anarchy and the Constitution being shredded daily.

I guess we will never meet in the middle, will we?

 

WesternFront America

So here we are just days before Christmas. The familiar stories of the controversial baby Jesus laying in a manger and the controversial words ‘Merry Christmas’ have been noted. What is so dangerous about a baby in a manger is beyond me? I think I know the real reason it is offensive. It’s because of fear. No, not the fear in the back of some atheists mind that set off a terrible thought about what if this story is real (take heed, it is by the way). The fear of governments around the world of their own people is what I am talking about.

Government’s use fear to control the masses. We have seen this with the healthcare debate. Obama doesn’t offer solutions. He offers fear. Fear about what will happen to the country if this bill doesn’t pass it will cause the country to go bankrupt. (In case you haven’t looked, Obama has pretty much put us in bankruptcy. Read what the Chinese said about American bonds the other day.) Fear that you won’t get healthcare, even though no emergency room closes its doors to anyone. It’s all about fear. It’s what the government uses to manipulate people into a belief.

Global warming is the same way. It’s all based around fear. That’s why you hear stupid comments like we only have fifty days to do something or it will be too late, a quote by the United Kingdom’s Gordon Brown. He said it over fifty days ago.

Anything that is meaningful and sacred in our society is slowly being robbed from us by labeling it controversial. God is being removed from our society. I joke that when In God We Trust is finally removed from our money forever, I will keep my Sharpie out and make sure some of the money sees it again. God is also being removed from Christmas celebrations. In fact, when you question why Christian symbols of the holiday are removed from certain Christmas activities, the fringed left asks why do you hate. There is nothing hateful about the true story of Christmas. It’s a story of love. So why all the negativity?

It comes down to this. The less faith you have in yourself and in a higher power and calling, the better it is for those who want to lead you and control you. Faith in god removes fear. Christians know they are to pray and leave it to God. When you leave it to God, theoretically, fear is no longer the issue. Faith overpowers fear. Without fear, you can’t control the masses.

This is why religion was nearly shut out of the USSR and is nearly nonexistent in places like China. God in those countries is the government. They are the providers and the ultimate authority, or so they think. Each of those countries use fear to control their masses, and they have effectively done so by wiping out the possibility of faith. You can see the attempts to do the same thing here in the United States. Those who criticize the Christian aspect of the season have merely fallen for this poisonous statist belief. Sure, it’s been masked and they will either never see it as that or never admit to it. That’s what it comes down to. (Thanks to Left Coast Rebel for the inspiration.)

Originally posted at Bungalow Bill’s Conservative Wisdom © Clay Bowler

 

WesternFront America

This is a True Christmas Story.

Christmas is a wonderful time to celebrate with family, friends and supper at Grandma’s house. Grandpa will gather the children around the fire place and tell them the story of Jesus Christ who was born on Christmas Day while Grandma makes ginger bread cookies and Daddy brings the Christmas tree in the family room for decorating. Mamma as always will lead us in the singing of ‘Silent Night—Holy Night’ as the Star of Bethlehem is placed on top of the tree.

90 years ago….

during the year 1919, one year after the end of World War I, the people of Atlanta, Georgia were celebrating the Christmas Season. Many people attended Church or Synagogue and gave thanks to God for his many blessings. Folks, while shopping, were uplifted by sweet sounds of Christmas music played by the Salvation Army Band. There was a friendly and charitable atmosphere during this time of the year.

There were, however, some who were not as fortunate!

The aging veterans, in the Confederate Soldier’s Home, were proud men who had braved many a battle in the 1860s. One of these men was former Captain Thomas Yopp who saw such battles as that of Fredericksburg where a cannon shell burst knocked him unconscious.

The man who stayed with him until he recovered was his servant who had also joined the 14th Georgia Regiment, Company H. Bill Yopp was more then a servant; he and Thomas Yopp were friends who hunted and fished together.

Bill Yopp, a Black Confederate, was sympathetic to the men of Atlanta’s soldiers home who had been his compatriots in arms over fifty years earlier.

During the War Between the States, 1861-1865, Bill Yopp was nicknamed “Ten Cent Bill” because of the money he made shining shoes. He did this for the soldiers at a dime a shine and ended up with more money than most of his comrades. These men, also, cared for him when he was sick.

During the Christmas of 1919, Bill wanted to pay back the kindness that was shown to him. He caught a train from Atlanta to Macon, where he was offered help from the editor of a local newspaper [The Macon Telegraph]. He then caught a train to Savannah to raise Christmas money for the old veterans. Bill met many generous people on his trip.

Just weeks before the Christmas of 1919, he had raised the money and Georgia’s Governor Hugh Dorsey helped him distribute envelopes of three dollars to each veteran. That was a lot of money in those days.

The old Confederates were speechless. Tears were shed because of Bill Yopp’s good heart and kind deed. Many of these men had little or nothing. Bill was invited to come into the home’s Chapel and say a few words.

Bill Yopp was later presented a medal of appreciation for his support of the old soldiers and also voted in as a resident of the Confederate Soldier’s Home.

Bill died on June 3, 1936, the 128th birthday of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. He was buried at Marietta, Georgia’s Confederate Cemetery with his compatriots.

The Confederate Soldier’s Home was located at 401 Confederate Ave., in Atlanta, Georgia.

Christmas is about love, forgiveness, old friends, family and the Child who became a savior.

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus!

The source of information for this story came from the book, entitled: Bill Yopp “Ten Cent Bill” Narrative of a Slave! This book was written in 1969 by Charles W. Hampton.

 

WesternFront America

As the story goes, it was about this time of the year when police officers received complaints about an apartment at the edge of the city. When they went to investigate, they came upon a flophouse. What they found inside was dank darkness. The sight that met their eyes was a bit atrocious. At one time, the place had been a dance hall. The sparkling globe lights were still clinging to the dilapidated ceiling. Inside, people were strewn across the filth and squalor. They were sleeping off their chosen substance-abuse hangovers. The stench was overwhelming.

The police quickly rounded everyone up. When the case finally came to court, an astounding story came to the surface. One of the derelicts said to the judge, “Your honor, I am an upstanding citizen of the community. I don’t use any type of drugs or alcohol. I was in that house merely to take care of others.”

The judge investigated the man’s claims and found them to be true. His name is of no importance to this story, but the people from the other side of town called him “Father God,” because of his compassion and kindness. He paid the rent so that these drug addicts and derelicts would have shelter. However, the man they so admired looked just like everyone else who had been thrown into the slammer.

The law-abiding citizen chose to appear like the others so he could better take care of their needs. And when you give it some thought, that’s the same message behind the birth of Christ — “the greatest story ever told”:
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5-7).

The Almighty God was willing to give up all the magnificent glories of heaven to become just like you and me. The reason is obvious. God did so to be able to identify Himself with us while paving the way so that one day we too could experience the glories of heaven. (See John 14:3.)

God’s way of “tugging at our hearts”

Throughout the world of Christendom, people are counting the days while looking forward to celebrating the Christmas season. There is no other time of the year like it, with its shorter days and cold, blistering weather. Yet most believers, and even non-believers, have a twinkle in their eyes and a new sense of hope and confidence about the future. They feel jubilant and content. God’s holy angels are drawing close to us, and the “Spirit says come.” The Lord in His mighty wisdom takes this special time to gather all mankind near to Him. One might say He has His ways of tugging at our hearts.

The message of the birth of Christ is amazing. Christians look upon this season in reverence because it marks the birth of Jesus Christ. With joy, they hurry about preparing for this day.

The biblical account

It is a custom in our home to gather around the beautifully-decorated Christmas tree and read the story of Christ’s birth. We use the words right out of the Bible:

“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that the entire world should be registered. This census first took place while Cyrenius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered everyone to his own city.

“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea to the city of David which is called Bethlehem. Because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife who was with child.

“So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered and she brought forth her first-born son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

“Now there were in the same country, shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over the flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were greatly afraid.

“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day, in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you. You will 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 good will toward men.’” (Luke 2:1-20)

Our greatest need: a Savior

The Word says that all the world was being taxed by Augustus Caesar at the time Christ was born. However, the biggest story of the day had nothing to do with governments, Caesar, or taxes. In actuality, it had to do with a little baby boy who didn’t have a proper place the night that he was born. To this day, Christ’s birth is the most important event in the history of our planet. Besides Mary and Joseph, however, only a handful of shepherds were aware of it.

The angels in heaven were rejoicing while the human race slept. Mankind was unaware that the Creator God had just stepped into their midst, and thousands of years of heavenly promises had come true.

As the Savior of the world was being born, many people were caught off guard and surprised. Some were confused. Many were expecting a great political leader to arrive on the scene who would throw off the yoke of Roman oppression and set the nation of Israel free.

The religious leaders at the time were looking for someone who looked just like them. They expected he would take a seat within the great Sanhedrin. However, that’s not who God sent us, because that is not what the world needed. Our greatest need was forgiveness from sin, so our Father sent us a Savior.

The greatest gift you can give

The night Jesus was born, the Lord Almighty became both human and God. He took on our image. Close your eyes and imagine seeing Him asleep in a manger, as helpless as any other child. Because Christ was someone special, wise men came from afar to bring their precious gifts.

Throughout this joyous Christmas season, remember that the one gift that would put a smile on the face of Christ is you. The whole reason “Jesus came was to seek and to save that which was lost.” Christ humbled Himself the way He did for no one else but you.

Take five minutes over the holidays and ask yourself why Christ came into this world. As you think about the baby in a manger, dwell upon His abiding love. Since the beginning of time, God was thinking about all of humanity while offering up prayer and supplication in the courts of heaven.

Please listen to His voice and don’t say no to Him any longer. Prepare with happiness, for He is coming again. His Second Coming could be very soon. (See John 14:1-3.)

Christmas time is almost here, and I wanted to share with you a wonderfully true and uplifting story that is the reason for this joyous season.

RenewAmerica.com wishes you and yours a very blessed Christmas Day.

Song: The Roches — Star of Wonder

——————————————————————————————

What can I do to help preserve America?

What America needs — if it is to survive in liberty — is a surge in citizen activism unlike anything our nation has ever before seen.

The success of such a grassroots movement will depend on how much individual citizens are willing to do their part to return our country to divinely-inspired principles of self-governance — those principles outlined by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and those validated by common sense and biblical teaching as self-evidently true.

If you feel you need to “wait for instructions,” or otherwise depend on others — especially those in positions of leadership — to guide and assist you, our country will not survive these perilous times. You must act as though the future of our country depends on you alone, for in a very real sense it does. It depends on the creative, responsible, exemplary initiative of yourself and those you inspire to similar patriotism.

Here are suggestions for helping to make a difference in the future of our country.

1. Live right.
   The single most important thing you can do for your country is to set an example of outward and inward commitment to godly living. Be the kind of person God can work through to save our nation.
   If you have yet to do so, determine with all your heart to yield your will completely to God “as a little child” (Matt. 18:3-4) and allow Him to change you according to His will and design for you — so that thereby you might truly fulfill your divine “mission” in life; so that you might be fully open to His guidance and influence; and so that you might be submissive to whatever challenges or tasks He desires of you. After yielding your will in this manner, and thus becoming truly born again according to the scriptural pattern (see John 3:1-8; Acts 1:1-9, 2:1-47; and Heb. 8:6-13), then work continuously on developing the godly self-discipline needed to please Him in all you do, and strive to overcome anything in your character that contradicts His precepts for godly, self-sacrificing, compassionate living.
   Be a true Christian in both word and deed, and continually strive to become a better one — one who inspires others to live by a higher standard than they may be accustomed.
   Never underestimate the power of righteous example — and be that kind of example!
   One thing is reasonably certain: If enough Americans live worthy of God’s intervention and miracles in their lives, and inspire enough people around them to strive with all their hearts to do likewise — then according to biblical principles and teachings, God will spare our country, no matter what evils confront it. (See 2 Chron. 7:14 and Isaiah 60:12.)
   On such a scripture-based promise, we can all wisely depend.
2. Take bold, appropriate action.
   If — in a very real sense — our nation’s future depends on you alone (and on similar patriots you inspire), don’t simply be a spectator who watches others do courageous, remarkable things. Do them yourself! Lead out!
   The evils confronting America have never been more threatening, insidious, or powerful — and your country therefore needs your activism more than ever before. Stand up and make a difference!
   What should you do? If you’re living in harmony with God’s will, you’ll know. You won’t need “that any man teach you” (see 1 John 2:20-29), but will know in your heart by His Spirit what He wants you to do — and you will have His power and authority to sustain and multiply your efforts. (See Acts 10:34-38 and Matt. 7:29.) You won’t need to rely on others to guide or direct you, but will be reliant on God alone to know and do His will.
   By your leadership, you will inspire others to do likewise in their own sphere and in their own way, as God directs them.
3. Consider the possibility that God might want you to:
   • Submit frequent letters to editors.
   • Testify at public hearings.
   • Hold regular gatherings in your home or community to discuss and promote the cause of liberty.
   • Volunteer to work in a political campaign, at any level, for any worthy purpose.
   • Widely distribute signs for a cause or a candidate.
   • Lead — or get involved in — a worthy petition drive.
   • Organize a rally, large or small, to publicize an urgent issue or cause.
   • Contact your local paper and offer to be interviewed regarding a public question or concern you have vital knowledge of.
   • Pick up the phone and share your views on talk radio — or if you have the skills and opportunity, create your own radio or internet talk show.
   • Create a blog.
   • Found a website.
   • Write and publish a regular column — or even a book.
   • Get actively involved in a major (or possibly a “third”) political party in your state or the nation.
   • Run for local — or higher — public office.
   • Sign the Pledge for America’s Revival — and invite others to do the same.
   • Participate in the Discussion Board at AmericasRevival.com, and support similar discussion forums on the web.
   • Help organize your state or local area in the cause of taking back our country. (Consider getting involved in the State Activism section at AmericasRevival.com.)
   • Inform yourself. “Zeal without knowledge” (see Rom. 10:2-3) will not save our country. Become acquainted with reliable, principled websites, blogs, publications, books, speakers, organizations, and other praiseworthy sources for information regarding the needs of our country and the solutions to those needs. Sign up to receive helpful newsletters and alerts.
     A good place to start informing yourself would be to study essential documents that describe our nation’s founding principles.
   • Work on your “people skills.” By this, we mean your ability to strengthen and influence others for good — so they might be persuaded to take independent action — not your ability to “use” others for your own ends, as some might think. Respect the worth, dignity, and free will of each individual as you seek to assist them in fulfilling their duty as citizens.
   • Work on your communicative skills. “Politics is communication,” to a large extent. Become the kind of communicator God can use for His purposes. Meaningful communication requires practice, experience, wisdom, and the operation of God’s Spirit in effectively informing real people in real situations. This applies equally to both spoken and written communication.
   • Turn your skills and resources mainly to saving our country — above any other purpose beyond your own salvation and the well-being of your family — and rely on God to give you the practical means to do so.
4. Expect adversity.
   Just as our Founders — or other great figures in history — suffered considerable adversity and personal hardship for their principled allegiance to the will of God, you too can expect adversity as you stand forth in the cause of reclaiming America. “No good deed ever goes unpunished,” as the saying goes.
   This will likely prove true the more you become a significant player in our country’s future, as the Adversary will predictably seek to destroy your efforts — and as God Himself may undertake to try you, to test the depth of your commitment to His will.
   Of course, not all adversity comes from outside sources — since we often bring it upon ourselves by our imperfect nature. But it helps to bear in mind that, no matter the source of our difficulties and challenges, a wise Father can help us deal successfully and productively with all our struggles, provided we rely on Him, and not upon our own wisdom or strength.
5. Don’t give up.
   , aIf you persist in well-doing, relying on God to bless and sustain you against all odds and the hardships you can expect to encounter, you will emerge victorious over the forces of evil that confront our country, and you will be a beacon of reason and righteousness, and thus a tangible inspiration, to those around you.
   That’s all anyone can expect of another in the cause of reclaiming our republic. If enough of us catch the vision of such selfless grassroots activism, and spread it infectiously to others, we will succeed in preserving the “blessings of liberty [not only] to ourselves [but to] our posterity.” (See Preamble, U.S. Constitution.)

See “What does it mean to be ‘converted’ to Jesus Christ?“

See “How the grassroots works.”

Sign up for our twice-weekly Newsletter.

See Activist tools

© Marie Jon

 

WesternFront America

by Larry Miller

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you are well aware that we are full swing into the Christmas shopping season. This is the season that puts dollars in the pockets of online as well as brick and mortar stores. This is the season that determines the success or failure of most retail establishments. This is the time of year when many people find seasonal employment to help themselves and their families through the expensive holiday season. Yet… many of these who not only benefit, but survive based on the results of their efforts this time of year make a concerted effort to disregard the real reason we celebrate this time of year.

Schools have long since fallen into the politically corrupt mindset of calling the Christmas Holiday the Winter Break. They are so afraid of offending a few Christ deniers that they disregard the majority who actually understand why we celebrate the Christmas holiday.

In a recent non-scientific study by John Stossel, recently of the state run media, currently with FoxNews found that some stores are more Christmas friendly than others. In some ways their approach to the holiday season reflected their perceived or desired market… something we may want to consider when passing out our gift-giving dollars.

Stores like Bass Pro Shops and Cabella’s that serve outdoorsmen and their families along with other family oriented retailers like Sears, K-mart and Lands End showed the greatest “Christmas spirit”. While others, endeavoring to be cool or hip shied away from recognizing the reason people were flocking through their doors to pick up holiday loot. Among the worst of these were Old Navy, Gap, American Eagle, Best Buy and Banana Republic. They are choosing who they wish to deal with… and it isn’t most of us!

This is nothing new, and traditional Americans and Christians have been whining about this for years. Because nobody likes whiners, perhaps we need to take another approach this time around. The tea parties have shown us that louder, more aggressive approaches are achieving more than patient, respectful dissent, which is ridiculed, and worse yet, ignored. For many of us, this is not part of our makeup… it’s not the way we operate. We would never pick up a whip, over turn tables and physically throw money changers from the temple… something the man whose birth we are celebrating felt compelled to do when he saw the holiness of His father’s house being disrespected.

I’m not advocating tearing up stores and schools. However, the businesses and schools turning their back on the real reason we celebrate Christmas need to understand that showing this disrespect for the birth of Jesus is unacceptable to a significant segment of the US population.

Obviously we need to watch where we spend our money. Making sure to wish each happy holiday wishing clerk a hearty “Merry Christmas”… then tracking down the manager and letting him know about your disappointment. They may not care, but they will never know how you and others around you feel about their clerk’s greeting.

Then again, you could have some fun with PC retailers. Check out the Certificate of Shame, available at http://bizy.be/yYuJf, that we’ve put together for you to carry when you brave the crowds at the mall, or strip shopping centers, or wherever you happen to be spending your hard earned money. Store managers love to receive this recognition. You may even want to take some tape and put one outside the shop if they give you the “Happy Holidays” greeting as a matter of company policy. Corporate headquarters also enjoy receiving them.

While we are on the topic of tweaking the Christmas deniers, the ACLU enjoys receiving cards from those of us who enjoy and celebrate the season. Their address is 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor New York, NY 10004.

We just need to keep it light and happy… like the season. We are not looking to make enemies, just a point. The point is that Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus. It’s purpose is not to enrich retailers, travel agents, or purveyors of fine food. These things are nice, but not the central point. We can’t forget that… and we are doing no one a service by letting them forget it.

Quietly accepting this sanitized expression is going along with the push by our “betters” to squeeze religion in general and Christianity in particular from the public forum. It’s our tendency to see everything as a series of isolated incidents that often keeps us seeing patterns and the big picture. So, every time we stand up for what is right we push back the darkness a little further, or at least hinder its forward motion.

Originally posted at Political Christian © Larry Miller

 

WesternFront America

One of the shortcomings I remember the most about the Christian elementary school I attended was how a number of the less-than dedicated educators would punish all of the students for the misbehavior of a single pupil. To this day, I remain convinced this had more to do with lazy teachers preferring not to mess around with recess than correcting actually delinquency.

As miniature societies, the dynamics of schools often reflect the processes that govern nations and countries. Unfortunately, the good students — or rather citizens in the macrocosmic case — are having something that is by every right their’s taken away just because those in charge don’t want to deal with those out to ruin things for everyone.

For nearly 15 years (or at least since I’ve been writing about the topic annually), Christians and allied conservatives have waged a noble effort against secularists claiming the First Amendment, through an expansionist interpretation of the Separation Clause, forbids the erection of Nativity scenes and even less conspicuously devout Christmas symbols on public property.

Since Christmas has become a pivotal component of our culture, most Americans instinctively recoil at efforts to banish the beloved winter festival even if they are not particularly religious. Thus to be successful, secularists realized they would need to pursue a different strategy.

One of the foundational dictums (feigning a posture of sophistication, those of this mindset eschew the notion of creeds) of radical ecumenicalism is that, if you can’t beat them, join them. However, the ecumenicalist does not seek union or compromise with the more thoroughgoing traditionalist for the purposes of common ground but rather to eventually wear down the traditionalist to the point where the traditionalist capitulates to the original demands of the ecumenicalist.

For example, realizing that Americans aren’t willing to give up the public recognition of Christmas yet esteem the idea of fairness nearly as much, a number of wily atheists decided on a new strategy. These hostile unbelievers surmised, “Fine, we will allow you to have your religious display provided we are granted equal access to put up a display depicting our beliefs as well.”

Frankly, in some ways they had a point as it is often through verbal conflict one not only comes away better knowing what one’s opponent believes but what you believe as well. After all, Americans — both devout and apostate alike — are often complacent in regards to both theology and politics.

However, a critical populace of an analytical inclination is the last thing the government wants. And in the clamp down to prevent an outbreak of citizens thinking for themselves rather than handing the process of ratiocination over to leftist bureaucrats, even more radical academics and the media dupes of each, victory by default is handed over to the more malevolent brand of secularist.

It is pretty much the establishmentarian consensus that public displays commemorating America’s religious roots in the Judeo-Christian tradition cannot be directly set up by the government. Rather, in most instances, a public forum is established with a mad dash being made by adherents of the respective viewpoints to get permits to sponsor the annual display or to divvy up the space equally.

Thing of it is there is only a finite amount of space in most government buildings even if the power of the agencies housed therein often is not while the number of worldviews clamoring for public acclaim in an age of pluralism is nearly infinite. The rational American at their noblest wanting to see the greatest number possible satisfied and at their most base just wanting the incessant whiners to shut up would probably be willing to accept a Nativity with a snowman, a Menorah, and possibly even a flying spaghetti monster to please the acolytes of evolutionist Richard Dawkins though most would be rolling their eyes and mumbling under their breath about it.

In an age where every viewpoint is considered equally valid, who is to say more eccentric belief systems are not as worthy of exhibiting their own Yuletide emblems? For example, upon opening their display space to both the glory and Hades bound alike, the Washington State Capitol saw the erection of a Festivus pole, a fabricated holiday popularized by the minds behind Seinfeld, at least one of whom now thinks it is comical to urinate on artistic portrayals of Christ.

Where does it end? Since Star Wars has also weaved itself into the Christmas fabric of many that grew up during the 70’s and 80’s (just recall the fan film “Christmas Tauntauns” as well as the Star Wars Christmas special Lucas is claimed to have seldom acknowledged the existence of with its Wookie Life Festival), are we going to allow a display to this as well?

In the name of getting a handle on this, the Washington State Capitol has banned all holiday displays from the building. Leesburg, Virginia tried to pursue a similar policy, but rescinded the edict after citizen outcry against the abrupt ending of a tradition that extended back decades.

Of those of the mind that we must downplay the acknowledgement of certain statutorily recognized holidays because certain elements of the population finds them disturbing, does that mean we also eschew all other civic commemorations because a scant few find these others distasteful as well? For example, should Martin Luther King Jr. festivities transpiring on or near public property be cancelled since there a few that know this figure was hardly the godlike personage he is portrayed to be in the popular memory but rather someone with questionable Community ties and faulty theological assumptions no matter how laudable certain aspects of his philosophy might have been.

More importantly, what about Black History or other assorted ethnic supremacy months? One reason no one is suppose to mention Christmas since to do so is to be “divisive” because it is not a celebration that everyone embraces.

So because around three percent have an attitude problem, the rest of us are suppose to sit around with out lips sealed shut. Few would admit it for fear of losing their jobs or having rocks hurled through automobile windshields as I can assure you does occur when one enunciates positions on these kinds of subjects other than the one insisted upon by the diversitymongers. However, there are definitely more than three percent of the Caucasian population that, if you could assure them that there would be no repercussions, would admit to opposing these fill-in-the-flavor-of-the-month history months.

As Ann Coulter, I believe it was, once remarked the United States is not a bus stop. All should be free from violence and deliberate mistreatment even if their ideas fall outside the norm. However, as a nation, Americans should not have to cower in shame before a few disgruntled malcontents whose rights have otherwise been upheld and protected.

 

WesternFront America

At one point in its history, one could argue that the West was too sure of itself as the foremost of civilizations.  However, such is no longer the case today.

In theory, pluralists and multiculturalists contend that no way of life or culture is better than any other.  Thus, one would think that Western and American perspectives and traditions would be welcomed into this expanded showcase of human achievement.

Yet unless one wants to bash the West for its past short comings, they had better think again.  If anything, one is expected to feel the same kind of shame in regards to the most innocuous of traditions that was once reserved for more carnal subjects during exceedingly Victorian times.

As an endearing symbol of all that is good and beautiful in the world, one would think there would be no reason whatsoever to get all flustered over a Christmas tree.  However, liberals in media and education who any other time believe next to nothing should be hidden even for the sake of propriety and decorum can’t even seem interestingly to speak this festive decoration’s name nor even that of the celebration in which this symbol has come to play an integral part.

Plastered across the front page of the Gazette papers of the Washington, DC Metropolitan for the week of 12/25/08 in bold oversized typeface was an otherwise bland “Happy Holidays”.

Above that and below a photo of an illuminated Christmas evergreen was a caption reading, “Crowds gather around the 60-foot tree for the lighting ceremony and fireworks show to kick off the holiday season on Nov. 28 at National Harbor.”

What holiday is this editor referring to — Arbor Day?

Martin Luther King Day and Black History Month are just around the corner.  Will this same paper tiptoe around these celebrations as well?

If not, why not?  Christmas is probably celebrated by nearly 90% of the American population so we are basically forced to go out of our way to avoid stepping on the toes of a very miniscule demographic.

By default, there is probably a higher percentage than that among the White community who have thought to themselves (even if they lacked the backbone to vocalize their ruminations for fear of repercussions at the hand of the fanatically tolerant) that Black History Month is inherently racist since there is no officially designated counterpart for White folks to be applauded for simply being White folks.  But then again, since those raising such concerns are usually conservative, their sensibilities will not be addressed.

Martin Luther is believed to have said that man is like a drunk reeling his head from one wall to the next.  This can be interpreted as an analogy of how society careens back and forth between deleterious extremes.

In response to the efforts to expunge Christmas from American culture, some have not simply responded by declaring more than “Merry Christmas” irrespective of the consequences but rather by wearing to work what ostensively amounts to a Jesus costume consisting of a robe and a replica of a crown of thorns.  Of this, I am reminded of a quote from King of the Hill where the titular character responds to a longhaired, tattooed preacher, “I’m sure Jesus is plenty of places he doesn’t want to be.”

While nothing should be done to employees that exercise their right of conscience by saying “Merry Christmas” rather than “Happy Holidays”, supervisors should not put up with subordinates showing up to work like this especially if the position deals with the public.  It is, after all, the workplace under consideration and not a costume party.

Chesterton said,  “It’s the first effect of not believing in God that you lose your common sense.”  From how many respond to Christmas in either censoring it entirely or becoming so consumed by it they end up looking like fools, it seems America may be tottering along the abyss of total lunacy.

 

WesternFront America