DECEMBER 25, 2005

"Peace on earth, good will to men." This is a universal sentiment this time of year, a wish that knows no denomination, no religion, no faith. It stands on its own as a purely human desire, with no recourse to or justification by a Higher Authority. And yet the battles rage as never before.

Here in Allegheny County many years ago, hate and vilification were visited upon the American Civil Liberties Union who supported guidelines that might make non-Christians more comfortable during this season. This is because they had challenged some public religious displays. Some people here think that to celebrate the birthday of Jesus, who made us all brothers and sisters to each other, means insulting and terrifying and ostracizing those who feel differently. This is known, they claim, as "keeping Christ in Christmas."

Our local courts allowed the nativity scene to be erected on public property by rulig that creches are in the same category with reindeer and Santa Claus: mythical symbols, cute legends, without any reality behind them. This has been hailed by many as a victory. They have made Jesus as acceptable, and as meaningless, as a Dr. Seuss invention. The Grinch did indeed steal Christmas.

People are at each others' throats over whether this is a religious holy season, or a secular celebration of Winter Break, or a commercially, politically correct "Sparkle Season." All thought of "peace and good will" has taken a back seat. I would like to point out just three things:

1. The original celebration was a pagan holiday, the winter solstice. Christians deliberately decided to put the date of Jesus' birth to coincide. In other words, we "baptized" a secular holiday - the world is merely taking back its own. No one knows the exact date of the Nativity. December 25 was chosen by convention. It could have been any date.

2. The original quotation in the Greek in scripture is "Peace on earth to those of good will." In other words, peace can only come to those who have prepared themselves for it and are willing to accept it.

3. God became human to save people, not society, or institutions, or customs. He is a personal savior. Not in department store windows, not in city squares, not on stages of public auditoriums, but only in our Churches, in our homes and most of all, in our hearts; Jesus is the reason for the season.

On behalf of our parish staff, and in my own name as your Pastor I wish you all a Holy Christmas and a Happy Holiday, sacred and secular. It is finally Christmas! And will be for the next 12 days! (And a Happy New Year as well!)