In just a few days, millions of Christians around the world will be celebrating the birth of Christ. In the ancient city of Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, people from all over the world come to commemorate the birth of the Messiah. But here in America, there are those whose sole purpose in life seems to be denying even the existence of the risen Savior. Our Founding Fathers had a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ, but in recent years there has been increased hostility toward the true celebration of Christmas. In fact, this opposition has erupted into what has become a blatant war on Christmas.

Across the United States, many local government entities and school districts have put in place rules and regulations that prevent people from openly sharing in the Christmas spirit, or their Christian faith. Many have also removed references to Christmas from public places and events, where Christmas and other religious references were once commonly used.

Organizations, like the Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF), have been formed to challenge our Christian heritage. They have put pressure on businesses, schools and communities across America to abandon their tradition of celebrating Christmas. And, they are attacking our Christmas traditions right here in Alabama.

>>>Just last week the FFRF challenged the community of Rainbow City, in Etowah County, to remove their display of a nativity scene in front of City Hall. They claimed the display violated court rulings over separation of church and state. Thankfully, the city determined they were not going to be pushed around by this group, and the nativity scene remains for all to see. Mayor Terry Calhoun said, “I’m thankful to be a Christian. I’m honored to be your mayor. And as long as I’m mayor, I’m not removing that manger scene.” Good for Mayor Calhoun.

More than 500 people came to the Rainbow City Hall last week to show support for the nativity scene, including two Alabama legislators who live in the area:  State Sen. Phil Williams and State Rep. Mack Butler. Both voiced support for the display.

President Obama, who says America is not a Christian nation, has taken action through his Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to remove Christ from Christmas by prohibiting veterans from hearing Christmas carols or receiving gifts wrapped in Christmas-themed wrapping paper. Second District Congresswoman Martha Roby protested the actions by the VA as one such incident occurred at a VA hospital in Montgomery.

Other instances of the attempted systematic removal of Christ from Christmas include:

• Red poinsettias were banned in a county courthouse in Minnesota because they were deemed a “Christian symbol”.
• Muslim leaders in Maryland forced the state’s largest school district to drop reference to religious holidays, like Christmas and Easter, from its school calendars.
• Numerous schools around the country have banned the singing of Christmas carols and are banning any reference to “Christmas”.
• The U.S. Army recently disciplined a Christian military chaplain for making references to the Bible during a suicide prevention seminar.

In Michigan, there are competing scenes – Christian and anti-Christian – on the capitol grounds. A traditional Christmas manger scene was placed on the grounds by a State Senator. The Satanic Temple got permission to put up a competing display called “Snaketivity Scene” which includes a red serpent, a pentagram with a goat head and a cross with “Knowledge is the Greatest Gift of All” written across it.

With the increased efforts to remove Christ from Christmas, we should not be surprised when a day that should be devoted to focusing upon the marvelous, virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ is instead treated in a scandalously secular way that denies His deity and saving work.

The Rev. Franklin Graham, son of famed evangelist Billy Graham, and founder of the Samaritan’s Purse humanitarian organization, says that some in America are waging a “war on Christmas”. “Unfortunately, the United States in the last few decades has witnessed increased hostility toward the sacred nature of Christmas, erupting into what has become a blatant war on Christmas,” Graham said. “That’s because at its root and core, the war on Christmas isn’t really about Christmas — it’s about the Son of God. The war on Christmas is a war on Christ and His followers.”

I am forever thankful to God that He revealed Himself to me at a young age and has allowed me to have a personal relationship with His Son – Jesus Christ – whose birth I will celebrate with my family this week. It is my prayer that you, too, will be blessed to enjoy and celebrate the reason for the season – Jesus Christ.

By Bill Armistead, Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party