This is nothing new. We have been down this road before.
Take America’s celebration of Christmas, one of our nation’s moresurprising examples of cultural change. A few hundred years ago, thePuritans were so disturbed by materialistic practices influencing theChristmas traditions of their time—the blatant celebration of excess,the distortion of biblical truth—that they demanded reform. Theyexpressed their discontentment with the course of their culture andchose to steer their communities on a different path, even outlawing thecelebration in Boston to help restore godly conduct and perspective.The change took place gradually, and it wasn’t until 1870 that Christmasbecame a federal holiday—a turning point that marked a long journeytoward family-oriented traditions and a heightened reverence for Christand His birth.
Only 140 years later, we are drifting in our focus once again. Culturaland political distortions overwhelm us on all sides. As we consider howto intercede for our nation today, with all of its potential for changeand transformation, our prayer must be that any renewed discontentmentwould drive us to embrace an attitude of reverence for God. Without thisas our foundation, real change will never come. Regardless of who wasjust elected or which party is in control, we must intercede that anattitude of reverence and humility would affect everything from personalbehavior to federal law.
May the Church fall upon her knees and cry out to God for mercy, that wewould be known as a country with restored reverence for Christ, who isboth our Cause and our Celebration. What a true gift of change thiswould bring!
“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility” (Proverbs 15:33).
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