Americans over the past 10-12 years have seen one crisis after another. Now there is outrage at things that were accepted just a generation ago. Stirring up hate and dividing Americans into groups to fight against each other is now a daily event.

Martin Luther King Jr.‘s life work — fighting for civil rights, dreaming of the day when his children would be judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin — has been turned upside down. Now skin color is everything! Even Christian organizations like The Salvation Army have been sucked into “woke” ideology.

What’s happening, America? How could we have drifted so far from the message of “Peace on earth, goodwill towards men”? It hasn’t happened overnight. The path to the de-Christianization of America has been in the works for over a century.

Unfortunately, much of the Church missed the clarion call to battle against the corrupting influence of the culture. The Church didn’t lose the war; we abandoned the battlefield. Our children and grandchildren are victims of our failure to take a stand for our beliefs.

America was founded by those who were fleeing religious persecution in England and Europe. The “New World” was a place where all could worship God freely. America prospered most when she was surrendered to His will. Our “divine destiny” was Heaven-directed. Faith in Christ prepared us for our greatest struggles: the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and succeeding conflicts. America’s faith in God brought us through.

Today, Christianity is facing what I believe is our greatest threat in my lifetime. As a Baby Boomer who became a Christian toward the end of the “Jesus Revolution,” the slow eroding of religious faith has been happening before our very eyes. Have we lost hope? Have people of faith just given up and thrown in the towel?

Christianity in America has been disparaged, mocked, and demeaned in recent decades. The “offended class” doesn’t want to see a Christmas tree, a nativity scene, or a cross. The Ten Commandments are offensive and need to come down.

This is nothing new. The Cross has been offensive to people since Jesus died on one. People of faith have suffered since 33 AD. Do we think we will be spared? Have most of us lost hope?

This time of year is when most Americans take stock of what is really important in life — things God has given us such as life, health, family, and freedom. These are what really matter. Years ago on a foreign battlefield, God in His mercy spared my life. It was not because I was good, but because He is good!

We are not promised a life without trials and struggles. There are some who believe that if your faith is strong enough, you won’t have any problems. This flies in the face of the whole counsel of Scripture. But God has not left us without hope. Two thousand years ago, He sent His son to die for us so that we can have the gift of eternal life.

This Christmas, take time to be truly thankful for all you have. Gratitude is the ability to be thankful for His blessings. Most of all, we have the ability to spread the love of God to those without hope. Giving is the true Spirit of Christmas!

Merry Christmas!