Offending

About 4 years ago, a friend of mine, told me of her discovery of the origins of Christmas and Easter. At the time, I was not ready to grab a hold of that information and do anything with it, even though her evidence was strong. Briefly I would forget about it entirely, only to remember as my family headed to the tree farm to chop down the family tree each year. These were traditions I loved! My family loved these traditions. We had based much of what we do around these traditions, from Christmas parties, to handmade stockings, special desserts, and heirloom ornaments. I just couldn't part with these things!

Then one day I discovered all the same truth again, all on my own, entirely by accident. But I remembered. I began digging and researching and the more I looked, the more evidence I found to indicate a change was needed. I shared my discoveries with my husband and we have spent the last year transitioning our family from Christmas to Hanukkah, not that we're entirely done with that transition.

My point, is this: I reconnected with that friend and told her about our decision and how I shared our findings with others. How we just wanted them to hear us, not necessarily make any change in their own lives. Ultimately we'd love to see a change sweep over the modern church, but we know that we cannot do this. That must be a work of the Holy Spirit.

However, my friend began sharing with me that I should not tell people around these holidays, that I should only tell them ever if they ask, or more likely beg to know, because she does all she can to avoid sharing. She says she lives it and her life speaks volumes. But is that how we as Christians are supposed to operate? Are supposed to fear offending someone?

Certainly we should try to carefully word our statements, time them appropriately, and be understanding that not all have come to this wonderful realization as we have. Yet, should we avoid the truth and force people to beg us to tell them?

When I began to tell my mom about this, that I was going to speak with my pastors, she warned me. "Don't mess with people's holidays!" I understand, really. But that is similar to suggesting we not mess with people's sin either, and the Bible tells us we are to point out to a brother or sister when there is sin in his or her life. We cannot make them change and we need to approach them with compassion, but we should certainly call their attention to it.

In this case, the sin lies deeply within the church. Ages ago, thousands of years ago to be exact, the church entangled itself with paganism. Most modern pastors aren't even aware or haven't spent the time researching this enough to make an informed decision. They do have their hands full with a host of other issues in the church to say the least. The sin, the prostituting of the church with pagan gods, occurred long ago. Now, it is merely business as usual, until and unless the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of a few good men and women who are willing to obey and seek change.

It is not for us to judge, but it is for us to share. I am sure that when I stayed home last Easter Sunday I offended a mighty few people at my church, but I cannot worry about offending. I can only seek to be kind, share my story with love, and speak truth.