The Battle to Keep Christ in Christmas

Why in America is Christ being taken out of Christmas? If you told the average American 50 years ago that “in the 21st century, America will take Christ out of Christmas and make it nothing but a pagan holiday,” I’m sure most would have responded with something like, “No—not here—that would never happen.” But it is happening.

There are more Christian resources available in the U.S. today than at any time in its history—yet for all of that, America is becoming less and less Christian every day.

At this Christmas time, I think it’s important to ponder where America is as a culture and try to understand why this is happening. Then Christians will be better equipped in influencing the culture to keep Christ in Christmas. There are more Christian resources available in the U.S. today than at any time in its history—yet for all of that, America is becoming less and less Christian every day. The battle over keeping Christ in Christmas is a sad example of this.

Taking Christ Out of Christmas

Abortion, gay marriage, the Ten Commandments being ripped out of public places, taking Christ out of Christmas—all of these issues are in reality symptoms of a much greater battle.

Think about it. Who is Christ? He is our Creator (Colossians 1:16). He is our Redeemer (Galatians 3:13). He is the Word! “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:1–3).

The real reason many in this culture don’t want to keep Christ in Christmas is because they don’t want to believe and obey the Word. This problem began in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve rejected God’s Word and wanted to decide truth for themselves. Ever since the Garden, this has been man’s problem. Man wants to reject the Word.

That is why Answers in Genesis must continue to stand up for the authority of God’s Word. In this era of history, called a “scientific age,” man has used supposed scientific evidence to discredit God’s Word in people’s eyes. As a result, generations have been led to believe that God’s Word can’t be trusted in Genesis. And subsequent generations have applied this more consistently and now believe God’s Word cannot be trusted from Genesis to Revelation.

At this Christmas time, as you ponder the reason for this battle to keep Christ in Christmas, remember, the real battle is over the authority of the Word of God. That’s why Answers in Genesis is all about upholding the authority of the Word beginning in Genesis—countering the false arguments of the age that attempt to discredit the Word—and proclaiming the gospel that Christ is the Word, He is the Creator, and He died and rose according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3). That is why God offers us the free gift of salvation.

Taking Back Christmas for Christ

Answers in Genesis and the Creation Museum are on the cutting edge of this battle to keep Christ in Christmas, because we’re at the forefront of the battle in this age over the authority of the Word of God in the culture. And a battle it is! It’s one we can’t fight alone, and I am asking you to prayerfully consider standing with Answers in Genesis to take back Christmas for Christ!

Remember, if the history in Genesis concerning our origins is not true, the significance of Christmas is removed. You see, if there never was a first Adam, there’s no need for a last Adam! The Christmas account, robbed of its context and historical foundation, becomes meaningless and easily forgotten.

That’s why the final stop on the Creation Museum tour is the powerful Last Adam Theater. When our museum guests reach this point, they have seen videos and exhibits bringing to life the miracle of Creation by God’s own hand. They’ve seen the terrible consequences of the Corruption, as the first Adam chose to disobey God.

Next, they witnessed the Catastrophe, in a room dedicated to a cut-away biblical representation of Noah’s Ark and dioramas outlining the disaster that shaped the earth as we have it today. In the second-to-last exhibit of the museum, they’ve learned about the Confusion God brought on by man’s pride at the Tower of Babel.

Then, when they understand the context of sin and devastation brought on our world by our own disobedience, they’re ready at last to hear the Christmas account in a way they’ve never experienced before—full of meaning and hope for everyone.

The Gospel film in the Last Adam Theater is one of my very favorite parts of the Creation Museum. It’s a moving dramatization of Christ’s life as seen through the eyes of people He touched, from Mary His mother to the soldiers at the Cross. There’s a moment I particularly enjoy when Mary places Christ’s birth within the context of God’s plan for all history:

One day, after I was engaged to Joseph, I was visited by an angel of God. He told me not to be afraid and that I was to give birth to a son and that I should call him Jesus. I asked how this could be since I was still a virgin. The angel told me the power of the Most High would overshadow me and that my son would be called the Son of God.

One day I learned that my son would be called something else as well . . . a lamb.

All Seven C’s work together, until that blessed day when we reach the seventh, the Consummation, when God restores life to the perfection He originally designed and those who are washed by Christ’s blood can stand before Him forever.

It’s no wonder most people think the Christmas account in the New Testament is no more than fiction, when the first four C’s that give it meaning have been undermined and compromised by evolutionary and millions-of-years teaching! While the battle cries of God-haters get louder and louder, while lawsuits over nativity scenes proliferate, while more and more of our society becomes entirely numb to the true meaning of Christ’s birth . . . we must stand strong. I encourage you to find out more about Christmas and the reason for Christ’s birth in the article What Is Christmas?

Throughout the Christmas season, some of our Answers with Ken Ham radio programs will present Christ’s birth in the full context of God’s plan. I’ll explain how the true foundation of Christmas goes all the way back to Genesis. Our award-winning website, our Answers Bible Curriculum, Answers magazine, and all the staff at the Creation Museum will reinforce this message.

You Can Help Keep Christ in Christmas!

Arm Yourself

Visit our website to read articles and get resources that will help you talk about Christmas in a meaningful, engaging way with your family and friends. And if you haven’t yet paid a visit to the Creation Museum, the holidays would be a good time. The museum is offering a Christmas program called Christmas Town, featuring a free live nativity and spectacular garden of lights.

Pray for Answers in Genesis

These are busy times of ministry for all of us, and I have to tell you some days I get pretty tired. And as you know, Satan is always working against us, stirring up opposition as we touch people’s lives with the truth he fears so much. Your prayers are like strong beams and girders—holding us up against the onslaught.

Tell Us How AiG Has Impacted Your Life This Year

Your words will be an encouragement to me in the face of attacks by secular organizations (especially the media), and also help our staff know how to meet your needs even better in 2008.

Send a Gift

Even with the strong attendance at the Creation Museum, over 40 percent of AiG’s ministry revenues still depend on donations. We urgently need your support to continue our stand against those who reject the Word. Together, we can continue the fight to keep Christ in Christmas and share His saving gospel.

Editor’s note: This article was updated on December 13, 2013.