I am not at all surprised that the politically correct people among us have re-launched their attack on Christmas. I am aggravated by their continuing attacks, but not surprised. They have attacked the Christian religion, and those of us who profess to be Christians, on about every front they can find. The nativity scene has not been present on the Gainesville square for decades. The 10 commandments are not being displayed in the courts or on the walls of government buildings. Prayer is not openly said in schools. It has been one thing after another, and now Christmas.<br />
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Christmas is one of Christianity's most sacred days. It is an official American national holiday, and even if the government decided not to declare it a legal holiday, we American Christians would take it away anyway, and there is good reason for this. You see, the moral foundation on which Western civilization, and especially American democracy, is built is the Judeo-Christian tradition.<br />
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We find all kinds of references to this idea among the writings and speeches of our founding fathers. We track the evolution of democratic government across Greece, to Rome, to the protestant revolution on mainland Europe, and then to England and America. Even though democratic governments vary in the way they are structured, there is always a common set of values that will allow the radical idea of government of-the-people, by the people, for the people...democracy if you will...to work successfully. Almost all historians agree that without this moral underpinning, a democracy will fall apart. In this light, I think the greatest gift all Americans receive on this government allowed holiday is Christmas itself...the beliefs and values that come with the Judeo-Christian religion, including the birth of Jesus Christ that we celebrate on this day we call Christmas.<br />
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This is Gordon Sawyer, wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas.
