Good morning on this Saturday, December 1st. Because of the rise in atheism/agnosticism  in the United States, there is a growing assault not only on Christian principles but also on Christian traditions, all in the name of political correctness.

Instead of wishing customers "Merry Christmas" some retailers have asked their sales people to say, "Happy Holidays." This is a subtle but important change which diminishes Christmas as a designated season celebrating the birth of Christ.

Instead of calling a specially decorated tree a "Christmas Tree," various government entities and some enterprises are insisting that it be called a "Holiday Tree." When people object and insist on honoring the traditional name, some officials have proposed eliminating the presence of a tree altogether. I'm well aware that a Christmas tree is not, nor ever has been, a Biblical part of the Christmas story, but it has been a modern-day symbol of Christmas celebration associated with the Christmas season for many years.

Instead of manger scenes displayed on the landscapes of parks and in front of special buildings, such scenes are being removed or replaced with "Winter Solstice" tributes, and in some instances, messages of atheism, e.g., Santa Monica, California.

Instead of singing traditional Christmas songs during various Christmas celebrations, participants are singing seasonal songs designated as "seasonally appropriate music."

All of these changes are more and more taking the "Christ" out of Christmas and that is only one more part of the tragic trend of the secularization of our society. Thank God some are standing up and fighting this trend by insisting that the traditions of Christmas be honored because the central message of Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ.

However as Christians we should all be aware that while atheists are trying to strip away the traditions of Christmas, we can become so caught up in the decorations, shopping, giving and receiving of gifts and festivities, we as believers strip away the real meaning of Christmas which is "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).

I hope to see you in church tomorrow.
Mel Brown