Christendom

Christmastime, and the streets are filled with people:
Ragamuffins, thieves, shoppers and pagans.
The season is celebrated by heathens,
but Christmas is a season of joy,
and Sinterklaas may be a heretic;
conversely, you might ask, “Who are you to judge”?

Well, even Santa is accountable to He who is ready to judge
the quick and the dead—which is you, me, all the people;
heretical is as heretical does, so you define “heretic.”
Christmas is celebrated by millions of pagans,
yet 4th century Christians celebrated Christ’s birth with joy.
Alas, too many of us celebrate like heathens.

If you think you might be a heathen,
It’s important for you to know that there is a Judge,
that one of the fruits of the Spirit is joy,
which is a gift available to many people─
even to the pagan,
and maybe even the heretic.

I was born and raised a bona fide heretic.
I was numbered with the heathens,
and I celebrated Christmas like a pagan.
But some time ago I was regenerated by the Righteous Judge.
This miracle happens to all sorts of people,
and if you’re so blessed by Jesus, you’ll know true joy.

I really haven’t cornered the market on joy;
I’m reborn in Christ, so it can happen to any heretic;
and God has regenerated millions of His people.
We must (at opportune times) speak the truth to every heathen:
Talk about where we’re going after we meet the Judge;
and talk about celebrating Christ’s birth vs. celebrating like a pagan.

Love your neighbors as you love yourself—even pagans,
and I guarantee it will bring you great joy.
To do this, you must first love the Lord—the Righteous Judge;
for if you don’t love God, it is likely that you’re a heretic,
more likely that you’re a heathen,
and most likely you’re numbered with Satan’s people.

Let’s celebrate Christmas heartily, with all heretics and pagans:
Speak of Christ’s birth (with love) to all heathens—share the joy!
Share the Gospel with all people, and do not judge.