Recently there has been quite a bit of press coverage on new wrinkle in the "culture war".  That is retailers and companies removing Christ from the Christmas season.  The biggest offense noted is that retailers are using the word "holiday" instead of "Christmas" for everything associated with the season.  Holiday shops and Holiday trees have replaced Christmas shops and Christmas trees. 

This has spurred a number of organizations to cry for boycotts and to pressure retailers to put Christ back in Christmas. 

At first I started getting a little worked up about this.  I admit it.  Then suddenly some recent news stories popped into my mind:  

•  In Korea individuals caught possessing a Bible are jailed, beaten and/or executed.  Christians must come together for worship in small groups.  They come in shifts under cover of night so as to avoid discovery.  One Bible is shared among many. 
• A woman in China was beaten to death for handing out Bible literature in the public market.  Also in China Christian house churches have been raided, shut down and their leaders jailed.  While many of the leaders were released, others are still detained.
• In Iraq and other Muslim countries Christian pastors and church leaders have been shot dead, because of their faith.  Woman a cast out of their families.

That's just a few examples of the many accounts of Christians being persecuted and even killed for their faith.  Why is it that mainstream Christians in America can't seem to have a healthy, living faith relationship with God unless there are billboards and retail locations to support them?  Why is it that Christians in America seem to experience little power in their relationship with God (unless they're getting a thrill from the latest Christian book, movie, or video game).  Why is it that many people come to follow Christ in countries where government seeks to forbid it.  Why is it that Christians in very poor countries have a rich experience of faith, and American Christians languish in spiritual poverty?

So, I'm going to bug someone with this, but everybody should get off the culture wars, and leave retailers alone.  If they want to call it Happy Holidays, Happy Gift Season, Year End Fun Time, or Annual Trying To Get You To Buy Season.  I don't expect business or government to nurture my faith relationship with God.  What I do expect is that as I daily read the Bible and spend time in conversation with God, my faith will grow regardless of the culture around me.

The culture war?  For the most part it is a sham. 

For the most part.

More soon.

Adam

P.S.  I welcome your comments (please be polite)