2019 Worship Guide

Page 14 2019 Worship Guide LINCOLN DAILY NEWS Wednesday, December 4, 2019 W e are fast approaching the end of the year, and with it, the annual flurry of holiday traditions with all of the attending obligations, blessings and stress. It seems to me that the profound historical events upon which these traditions are based have been diluted by the subtle, but continual secularization of those events. It has been suggested that if historians and archeologists found irrefutable evidence that proved Christ to be a fictional person, there would still be Christmas. Christmas would continue in its secular traditions of Christmas trees, Santa Clause and gifting. It would support the accompanying economic engines of retail and other related industry. The nativity scenes would be tucked away in the attic; no more children’s costumed reenactment of that Holy night, songs of Hark the herald angel and Joy to the World would be replaced with Grandma got run over by a reindeer and I want a hippopotamus for Christmas . We, the Church of Jesus Christ must continue to lift up and proclaim the cosmic significance of the literal birth of our Savior, His sinless life, His suffering on the cross and His victory over the grave. As the sinful secularization of our faith abounds, grace should abound more! We must champion the truth. “Jesus is the reason for the season!” What is Christmas without First Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Pastor Steve Blaum JESUS