Time of peace
BY Staff Reports
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
We used to be sad, sometimes, that Christmas was so commercialized and that people did not think about its true meaning. It's even sadder now that some Christian groups claim there is a war on Christmas, and they encourage others to respond with intolerance and outrage.
Jesus did not hate the Samaritans, the Pharisees or even the Romans. Of course, Jesus didn't have Christmas to defend or wish to collect donations to do so.
Much of the battle over Christmas is about public practice of religion. In Matthew, Jesus exhorts his followers to give to charity in private and to pray in private. He said God will reward those who do so, but that God will not reward those who practice their religion in public for the approval of men.
Jesus asks that we pray in private as in the Lord's Prayer. After the prayer he adds, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Surely Christians can forgive trespasses this time of year so that all may have a joyous, happy and peaceful Christmas.
J.C Moore, Terlton
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