Please keep Christ in Christmas this season!!!

I just want to share a burden that is on my heart every year, during the holidays. You may disagree & that's okay. But I hope that you will at least take the time to read what is on my heart & to consider the "Reason for the Season!"

It is really sad what Christmas has became in the United States. Every year about Thanksgiving, I start hearing things like, "Do you have your Christmas shopping done yet?" "What does your kids want for Christmas?" In the stores, parents can be overheard threatening their children with, "If you aren't good....Santa won't bring you any presents!" Oh, that really breaks my heart.

I have often wondered what percentage of children even know the real reason behind Christmas? If we stood at the door of the local department store in town, & asked every child what Christmas means, what would they say? What would YOUR child say? Presents? Santa? Reindeer? We start with little babies, sitting them on the lap of Santa & urge them to tell him what they want for Christmas.

I know, I know, some people would say.... it's just for fun, it's no big deal. But how can the lies that we weave to help a child to believe in Santa, be okay? I believe that it IS a BIG deal! Children don't have to be good for Santa. Santa doesn't know when they are good or bad, or when they cry, but JESUS DOES!

Our country has became so commercialized with the religious holidays, that the true meaning of them all, have been overran by characters such as Santa & the Easter Bunny. Walking through the stores, what do you see? Santas & reindeer, trees & gifts! Where is the nativity scene, where is baby Jesus? That's right, they are no longer "allowed" in many of our stores. I believe that it is the responsibility of all of us to be sure that our children realize first & foremost, what the true meaning is behind of the holidays. Jesus can give them the best gift ever, one that Santa cannot put under their tree or in their stocking!

Yes, we decorate a tree. Yes, we put up lights. Yes, our children love Christmas and all of the "fun" that comes with it. And Yes, they do get gifts under the tree on Christmas morning. But they have always known that Santa was "pretend" & that mommy & daddy were the ones that put the gifts under the tree while they slept. It has not once diminished their excitement on Christmas morning, coming down the stairs to open their gifts. They are just as excited about it all, without the fabricated Santa stories.

I realize that there will be many that think that we are making too much of the "Santas" of Christmas, but I, for one, want to celebrate the real reason for the season. It is the day that we set aside to celebrate the birth of Jesus. How would your child like to have a birthday party in his honor, and then to be left out of the celebration completely?

How broken hearted Jesus must be! Let's not let Him down this season! Please don't X out Christ in Christmas! Satan, himself, must have been the one that got the practice started, of abbreviating Christmas with Xmas. If you really must abbreviate it, let's use "Cmas," please don't X out Christ!

Remember always........ W.W.J.D?

May you & your family be blessed this holiday season!

The Munn Family

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