Homophobia vs. Christophobia

A war continues against Christmas and traditions associated with that. It’s bad enough the PC police insist on people saying “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” to avoid offending non-Christians. Now a liberal-leaning publication has gone to faultfinding a popular animated classic many of us watched while growing up. The HuffPost criticized “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” for being “bigoted” and “seriously problematic” because of bullying scenes. It was even labelled “homophobic.”

That reminded me of an exchange of emails I had around Christmastime eight years ago. It involved a disc jockey familiar with my old novelty songs still being played on Dr. Demento’s radio show. A New Yorker who calls himself A-Log didn’t like a YouTube video he saw of me preaching against same-sex marriage. He thought it was hypocritical to talk about God’s love but not accepting alternative lifestyles. What I find hypocritical is LGBT activists campaigning for equal rights but trying to force God-fearing individuals into embracing sinful lifestyle choices. 

A-Log also asked for proof that I’m not a homophobe. That would depend on how he defines that word. One might think a homophobe is simply somebody who’s afraid of gay people. The New Oxford American Dictionary describes one as “a person with an extreme and irrational aversion to homosexuality and homosexual people.”

I explained to A-Log that I don’t hate homosexuals but the practice of homosexuality. As stated in my video, I will minister God’s love to homosexuals I encounter while doing street evangelism. But when certain people are not willing to repent of immoral behavior, then I’m commanded by Scripture not to have close relationships with them. 1 Corinthians 5:11 says, “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.”

People who label evangelical Christians homophobic are really Christophobic, which is an irrational fear of Christians. Have you noticed those who preach the loudest for “tolerance” and “diversity” will tolerate diverse belief systems except for Christianity? Just mentioning the name of Jesus Christ causes some to panic. That’s sad considering the Lord came to save sinners, not to condemn them.

“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” 

- John 3:19-20

Family Traditions

Uncle Greg in action

Among the things that make the holiday season memorable are family traditions. One dictionary defines tradition as “the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation.” While growing up in Moorhead, Minnesota, my family had our share of Christmas rituals. One of them was my sister Tanya and I took turns opening up the little flaps on our advent calendar.

My immediate family always opened presents on Christmas Eve after Dad came home from work in the late afternoon (or in the morning if he had the day off). To pass the time Tanya and I played the board game Monopoly, which often took two hours to complete. Sometimes we also went to a candlelight service at the Lutheran church we attended across the river in Fargo, North Dakota.

Later that night I would get together with my mother’s side of the family at Grandma Tweiten’s house. Often we ate a light dinner but then always sang Christmas carols before opening presents. Eventually, my Aunt Gaye added a tradition I grew to appreciate…singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. After all, that’s whose birthday we’re supposed to be celebrating. 

Christmas Day afternoons were spent with my father’s side of the family. Initially, we met at Grandma and Grandpa Post’s house. Then in 1979 my uncle Greg bought a large house in Fargo. From that point on, Post family gatherings usually took place there. By that time we had a tradition that actually started years before during the summer.

Grandma and Grandpa Post also owned a mobile home near Lake Lida in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. At the end of one family gathering, Uncle Greg jokingly ran after our car as Dad began driving away to take us home. Tanya and I got such a kick out of that we always begged Greg to run after the car when leaving other gatherings. Soon Greg and his wife Jill started having kids. They often joined their father in his runs.

One time I came back to Fargo for a visit and stopped at Greg and Jill’s for another family gathering. Before leaving I asked Greg if he would “keep up the tradition.” Greg replied, “Nah, I don’t think so.” I then said, “Yeah, you’re probably getting too old for that.” When I left the room, Greg told the rest of my relatives, “I can’t let him get away with that.” Moments later as I pulled out of his driveway, Greg emerged from the house and ran after my car while using Grandma’s cane. I wish someone had filmed that hilarious Kodak moment! Years later I managed to capture one of Greg’s runs with my camcorder and later added the “Chariots of Fire” theme to the video.

The word tradition originates from the Latin word tradere, which means “deliver” and “betray.” Likewise, the Bible talks about traditions in both the positive and negative sense. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” On the other hand, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees “For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” (Mark 7:8)

Like many other families, my parents did the Santa thing. Tanya and I woke up on Christmas morning to find more presents for us under the tree or on the living room couch. Back then I enjoyed the extra gifts but now wish we had done something else to emphasize the reason for the season such as reading the Christmas story in Luke chapter 2. 

Family traditions can build togetherness but should ultimately draw us closer to the Lord instead of away from Him.

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” - Colossians 2:8

Jesus Christ is Coming Again

You better look up

Look up into the sky 

You better be ready

I’m telling you why 

Jesus Christ is coming again

He’s gathering a list 

And checking it twice 

Gonna come for those He paid the price 

Jesus Christ is coming again

He sees you when you're sinning 

But hears you when you pray

He knows if you are saved or not 

So be saved for He is the Way

(to the tune of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" - new lyrics by T. R. Post © 2011)

Santa Claus vs. Jesus

Santa lives at the North Pole.

JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh.
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year.
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies.
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited.
JESUS stands at your door, knocks, and then enters your heart.
You have to stand in line to see Santa.
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap.
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly.
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO.
JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says, "You better not cry."
JESUS says, "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."
Santa's little helpers make toys.
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.
It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas.
Jesus is still the reason for the season.

"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” - Acts 4:12