Lest we forget, Christmas began as a time of introspection and rejoicing over the glorious promise of “Immanuel—God with us”:
“Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.” (Luke 2:17-20 NASB).
Christmas is joyously celebrated each year across the world, including in Washington DC. The First Lady is in charge of the decorations inside the White House, and this year Melania Trump decided the theme would be “Spirit of America” to “honor those who have shaped our country and made it the place we are proud to call home.” [1]
The East Wing features a Gold Star Family Christmas Tree, commemorating military members who gave their life during times of war. The East Room has four patriotic themed Christmas trees celebrating the virtues of bravery, valor, perseverance, and justice. The State Dining room has gingerbread figures from great images of America, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Space Needle, Mount Rushmore, Alamo, Gateway Arch, Liberty Bell, and Statue of Liberty. The Blue Room has the main Christmas tree, decorated with the official flower of every US state and territory. And, of course, the traditional White House Nativity Scene is prominently displayed. The White House decorations are beautiful and impressive, worthy of the majesty of Christmas.[2]
But in a world addicted to clickbait, haters are attempting to make a new tradition of writing opinion pieces to grinch the Christmas festivities of those who cherish this most wonderful time of year. For example, concerning the White House celebration:
“Some critics said the first lady’s ‘Spirit of America’ [Christmas] video was reminiscent of a horror film, comparing some of its contents to the scary movie classic ‘The Shining.’”[3]
“Stock music—the faux-soothing, too-repetitive kind that causes department store Santas to drink throughout their shifts—plays as Melania blitzes through the Grand Foyer, perhaps wanting it all to be over just as much as we do.”[4]
“‘A lot of people said it looks like Christmas in hell,’ said Jimmy Fallon in a monologue last year.”[5]
Well, bah humbug! Perhaps this handful of Grinches is hoping to steal Christmas like the Philadelphia thief who stole a truckload of Christmas decorations, speeding off “with the finishing touches for the Mayfair Christmas lighting.”[6] Or the Mississippi city maintenance department that refused to install Christmas lights and decorations.[7] Or the modern-day Grinch who stole the Christmas decorations for the display in Chesterton, Indiana.[8]
Despite the grinches and scrooges, 90% of Americans celebrate Christmas.[9] It is a holiday not for complainers but for those who rejoice in the spirit of giving—it is holiday celebrating the gift of Jesus that God gave to the world He so loved.
As people of faith, throughout this Christmas season let’s prayer the prayer offered by George Washington:
“May the Father of all mercies scatter light, and not darkness, upon our paths."[10]
And let’s wish the merriest of Christmases to all the Scooges and Grinches, praying that one day too they might know the joy of being redeemed by the Christmas Child.
Foundations of Truth hereby waives all claim of copyright (economic and moral) in this work and immediately places it in the public domain; it may be used, published, edited, and distributed in any manner whatsoever without any attribution or notice to Foundations of Truth.
[1] https://americanmilitarynews.com/2019/12/video-first-lady-melania-trump-unveils-spirit-of-america-white-house-christmas-decorations/
[2] https://americanmilitarynews.com/2019/12/video-first-lady-melania-trump-unveils-spirit-of-america-white-house-christmas-decorations/
[3] Gaynor, G. K. (2019, December 4). Melania Trump's Christmas tree exhibit compared to horror film by online critics. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/melania-trump-christmas-tree-compared-horror-film
[4] Demopoulos, A. (2019, December 2). Melania Trump’s joyless Christmas decorations are back to haunt your nightmares. Retrieved from https://www.thedailybeast.com/melania-trumps-joyless-christmas-decorations-are-back-to-haunt-your-nightmares
[5] Yuan, J. (2019, December 2). Melania Trump’s White House Christmas decorations are a monochromatic wonderland. Retrieved from https://www.seattletimes.com/life/melania-trumps-white-house-christmas-decorations-are-a-monochromatic-wonderland/
[6] Argos, G. (2019, December 3). Caught on camera: Brazen thief steals truck, making off with Christmas decorations, thousands of dollars in tools. Retrieved from https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2019/12/03/caught-on-camera-brazen-thief-steals-truck-making-off-with-christmas-decorations-thousands-of-dollars-in-tools/
[7] Miss. town has no Christmas decorations after political clash. (2019, December 5). Retrieved from https://www.wvlt.tv/content/news/Miss-town-has-no-Christmas-decorations-after-political-clash--565850741.html
[8] Baichwal, R. (2019, December 4). Retrieved from https://abc7chicago.com/grinch-steals-town-christmas-decorations-in-chesterton-indiana-/5734140/
[9] Lipka, M. & Masci, D. (2017, December 18). 5 facts about Christmas in America. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/12/18/5-facts-about-christmas-in-america/
[10] Washington, G. (1790). Retrieved from https://patriotpost.us/pages/290-christmas-and-our-patriot-founders
