TILL HE COMES Blog

I was asked today by one of the people I work with if it was okay for a Christian to celebrate Kwanzaa.

My immediate response was, “If you can’t celebrate Kwanzaa, you can’t celebrate Christmas either.”

Now truthfully, I don’t know a whole lot about Kwanzaa except that it is a holiday with similarities to Christmas and Hanukkah for the world African community.

But even with my limited knowledge, and without even doing a google search, I can guarantee that there are many Christians and churches which condemn the celebration of Kwanzaa.

So here is a fun little exercise to do tomorrow after you wear yourself out  opening all your presents. Search on google for “Why Christians shouldn’t celebrate Kwanzaa.” (If you really want some fun, search google for “Jerry Falwell on Kwanzaa.” I’m not sure if he ever said anything about it, but if he did, it’ll make for a good Christmas laugh.) After you do your search, every time you read the word “Kwanzaa,” substitute the word “Christmas.” Most of the time, the objections for one work for the other as well.

For example, here is what you might read: “Kwanzaa is not religious! It was started by pagans!” But did you know that “Christmas” was a holiday long before Christ was born? It wasn’t called “Christmas” but it was celebrated on December 25 by decorating trees, beautifying them with glitter and lights, and then passing out presents. Christmas has pagan roots – lots of them.

Here is something else you might read: “Kwanzaa has so many negative elements…like selfishness, greed, a focus on humans rather than God, self-esteem, etc, etc.” Again, I’m just making these criticisms up. I have no idea what sort of things go on during a Kwanzaa celebration. But again, just stick in the word “Christmas” where we read Kwanzaa above, and the statement is still true.

Am I trying to say that we should not celebrate Christmas either? Of course not! I believe that Christ is a Redeemer, and there is nothing beyond the reach of His redemption. Both Kwanzaa and Christmas can be redeemed by Christ and celebrated by any who wish.

Festivus, however, is another issue… ha ha.

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