Christmas is more secular, but Christ will reign forever

The light from the Star of Bethlehem is dimmer this year, according to a survey from the Pew Research Center about how American society commemorates the Christmas holiday. The headlines announcing Pew's survey read:

"Americans say religious aspects of Christmas are declining in public life"
"Shrinking majority believe biblical account of birth of Jesus depicts actual events"

The New York Times reported Pew's findings with the headline:

"Is Christmas a religious holiday? A Growing number of Americans say no"

For millions of Christians who celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ but also partake in the joys of "sparkle season," Pew's findings are akin to snowballs thrown at nativity scenes.

Particularly alarming is the rate at which the religious basis for Christmas is declining.

The survey found that this year only 55 percent of U.S. adults say they will celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday compared to 59 percent in Pew's 2013 survey. That translates into a 1 percent decline every year for the last four years. Do the math. If these trends continue over the next 20 years, in 2037 only 35 percent of Americans will associate Christmas with the birth of Jesus Christ.

Given the current trends secularizing "the reason for the season," one can surmise that the word "Christmas" – "the Mass of Christ" – with ancient roots meaning "Christ was sent" or "to send Christ" – will eventually be considered an inappropriate name for a federal holiday. (Look to Columbus Day as an example.)

Thus, it is likely that your great-grandchildren will celebrate a national holiday simply known as the "25th of December" or "Gift Day."

However, it is easier for our secular culture to change the meaning and the name of Christmas than to negate the impact the birth of Jesus had and continues to have on mankind.

It's fact, and not opinion, that if you live on this planet, Jesus Christ has affected and influenced your life whether or not you care to acknowledge Him or his birthday.

The inspiration and authority of Jesus Christ as the driver of creativity and innovation cannot be refuted. Although certainly, throughout history not every action taken in the name of Jesus would be approved by Jesus.

But, the supreme power of Jesus Christ as an overwhelming force to shape the actions of men and women was and still is, Divine. The manner in which Christ impacted the world is astounding and reflected in a list that includes: culture, history, philosophy, kingdoms, government, religion, empires, war, art, music, architecture, printing, human relations, equality, charity, morality, literature, exploration, population relocation, medicine, education, holidays and this list is incomplete!

When one considers all the names of great men and women whose lives and actions were inspired by Jesus Christ, the list is endless.

If you care to gain a new appreciation and perspective for how Jesus changed the world, I recommend the book, "What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?" Co-authored in 1994 by Dr. D. James Kennedy and Jerry Newcombe, it details Christ's impact throughout history and on daily life in ways most people are unaware.

That means Christmas is the perfect time to educate yourself about the birth of the "light of the world" and to discover how Christmas is about Christ's love and the love of Christ.

Ironically, the greatest Christmas gifts are free. Unwrap Christ's "gift box" and find a relationship with Jesus that includes the transformative power of His love, forgiveness of sins and His promise of eternal life.

If my gift suggestion turns you off, you are free to live a Christ-less life and celebrate a Christ-less Christmas consistent with the trends in Pew's survey.

But be aware that our increasingly secular culture is bent on removing overt signs of the greatest force in the world in addition to negating the traditional meaning of Christmas, all under the guise of separation of church and state and fear of offending non-believers.

In the end, Christians know that truth will prevail. Even as Christ is diminished, His influence and power will never wane. And He will reign forever and ever and ever. Hallelujah!

Merry Christmas.