Have you thought about the current religious and social scene in America; especially at this Christmas time of year? Religion has once again been forced to take center stage in the news, with groups fighting over whether to have a “Nativity Scene” in the public square, others arguing over the use of the word “Christmas” in their sales ads, and then we hear schools will not go on "Christmas break" but on winter break. In our changing society, I wonder if any of us have stopped to ask ourselves what God meant by sending His Son, Jesus Christ to this earth? What does God think of current Christmas traditions here in America? Would Joseph and Mary have placed a “Nativity Scene” in their courtyard? Would the Apostle Paul have worn the “Keep Christ at Christmas” pin during his missionary journeys? Would Peter go to court if his children came home from school and told him they won't have Christmas holidays but winter holidays? Did God intend for people to celebrate the birth of His Son with “Merry Christmas” and “Nativity Scenes”? There is another dilemma, although the debate over having a “Nativity Scene” and whether or not to use the word “Christmas” are symptoms of a larger problem. We live in a society that pushes for the removal of Christ from the public eye; it's not just about Christmas but about the Christian faith as a whole. Realize that it is often not possible to pray at school, before a game, or before a government meeting as people in this country once did. You may not read your own Bible or promote the Bible over another faith or belief in a public way. The rallying cry too often of atheists and secularists is “separation of church and state” and “let's be honest.” Then at this time of year a school, a business, a city park... middle of paper... of the world (Jn. 8:24). So, if the atheists manage to get through the courts and take the "Nativity scene" from the square, the department stores have winter sales instead of Christmas ones, and my children don't have Christmas holidays but winter ones, that's fine because the My faith is not based on these traditions, but to build on the solid Rock, the living and risen Jesus Christ. And if the government comes and tells me that I cannot worship and serve my Lord, then I can say like “Peter and the apostles…: “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) So should we keep Christ at Christmas? The answer is “Yes” and we should hold Christ on New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and every day ending in "Y." Christ must be our beginning and our end, the first and the last while we live on planet earth! Works Cited Holy Bible