Light or Dark? October 30, 2013 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 There are times when I think the world has it in for the Savior and His followers. Well, actually, the world does have it in for us. Christians are being persecuted in many nations, and in many American colleges and high schools a respectful reverence is given to Islam and other religions, while Christianity is often described with sneers and sarcasm. But this year there has been a change -- not a big change, mind you. Just the smallest, the tiniest of changes, has been seen. That change took place at Inglewood Elementary School in Pennsylvania. There the principal sent out a letter to parents that told them the Halloween celebration at Inglewood had been cancelled. The letter said that, for some people, Halloween has religious overtones, which the school cant endorse. Of course, the principal is right. Halloween does have religious connections. Just as Christmas is the celebration of the Light, Halloween is a commemoration of the dark. Sadly, that fact has escaped some of Inglewoods parents who were upset by the decision. One said, Why deny our elementary school children this right of freedom of expression and celebration of American culture: traditions that most of us experienced in school? ... There should also be opportunities ... to celebrate diversity as well as American traditions .... I bet the principal was surprised to find he had done all that when he cancelled Halloween. Me, Im surprised so many people are willing to take a stand for gore, blood, zombies, ghosts, vampires, and werewolves, but will not stand with Jesus and the salvation He won at the cost of His life. I am surprised nobody blinks when Hollywood churns out a flock of films that emphasize the dark and demonic, but it is difficult to find funding, or a friendly critic, for a film that centers upon the Christ or His committed followers. Well, maybe I shouldnt be surprised. Under the Holy Spirits inspiration, the apostle John informed us that the light has come into the world, and the people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed (John 3:19b-20). So there you have it. John has explained why, as long as the dark-lovers are in control, Halloween will be the holiday of choice, and it will escape the condemnation that has been directed against Christianity. In other words, Trick or Treat is in ... and Have a blessed Christmas is out. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, open the eyes of those around us so they may see the evil that tries to masquerade as innocence. Grant us grace to love and walk in the light of our Savior. In His Name. Amen. In Christ I remain His servant and yours, Pastor Ken Klaus Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour® Lutheran Hour Ministries
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 18:54:55 +0000
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