'tis the season...

...to use "tis"! Most of the rest of the year, the use of this word merits you only strange looks from people, but during this particular time of year, 'TIS found acceptable for common use.

Granted, as far as most people are concerned, the Christmas season started the day after Thanksgiving. (Personally, though, I think that having Christmas decorations out in July is a bit much.) But my question is this: do we celebrate our birthdays for a month, and then quit celebrating right after? Maybe my family is just old-fashioned, but we don't celebrate Thanksgiving...until Thanksgiving. We don't celebrate birthdays...until the birthday itself. And we don't start celebrating Christmas until December 25.

Oh sure, we decorate. We went and got our Christmas tree on Saturday. We prepare food and presents for Christmas - but we don't celebrate Christmas until Christmas Day. Call me old-fashioned and outdated, but to me, that seems right.

Christmas celebrates the single most influential event in the entire course of history. Whether or not you acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth to be the Messiah promised to the Israelites, the only Son of God, the Alpha and the Omega, the Creator of our universe, whether you acknowledge this or not, you still have to admit that this Man's life was the single most influential event in history. Because of this single Man, a new religion was formed - and regardless of denomination, 33% of the world's population follows Christianity. This Man preached a doctrine unlike anything that anyone had ever heard before - even the Jews, His own people, were amazed and baffled by His teaching.

His teaching spread throughout the world. Nations rose and fell, fought and died over this one Man. Education spread, large and beautiful new buildings were built, and music was written - and the greatest architects, teachers, composers and musicians taught the glory of the God who came to earth.

The United States of America was founded on Christian principles and ideals. Even with her freedom of religion, this country still used Christian morals and ethics in her laws and justice.

Even if you don't recognize Jesus of Nazareth as the Son of God, He was still the most influential person on earth. His birth was the turning point of the world, and we celebrate it on Christmas Day.

Not in July.

-enna