arkansasscv.org

Enemies!

The enemies of Christ are hard at work to remove any and all Christian influence from our country, which was founded on Christian principles and a reliance on Jesus Christ.

School children are being taught that George Washington crossed the Delaware and chopped down a cherry tree, but not that he was a Christian. They are not being told what he had to say about God, Jesus Christ, or the Bible. This is not only true of George Washington, but of nearly all of the founders and early leaders of our country. Most were Christians who put their trust and faith in God. We know that, because they said so. However, this is not being taught to our children even though it’s true. And, why? Because it isn’t politically correct and some non-Christian might claim to be offended.

For generations we’ve been taught that Abraham Lincoln was a great man who saved the country and freed the slaves. Scores of people, misled by erroneous teaching, have visited his statue in Washington, D.C. to pay homage to his image as if he were some god in a Greek temple. Of course, we know him to have been a tyrant who’s inflated ego, poor judgment, and illegal acts caused the death of over six hundred thousand Americans and immeasurable suffering.

At the same time, honorable, Christian men like Robert E. Lee, T.J. “Stonewall” Jackson, and all of our Confederate generals, who fought to save the country and it’s constitution, have been vilified and called traitors. Our brave and noble Confederate forefathers are being called a “racist army.” Our proud Southern heritage is being mocked and our legacy shamed by those whose only interest is self promotion. They pick fights and find fault in what is true and right in order to increase the audience of their radio or television programs, or add to the readership of their newspaper columns or websites. They criticize and attack what is honorable and true, while they have no honor and care nothing for truth.
Southern states who asked their young men to leave their homes and families to go to war to defend it against a terrorist invasion, and now refuse to honor their sacrifice because it isn’t politically correct are a disgrace. Southerners who have bought in to the Union lies and will not seek or accept the truth even when it’s presented to them, because of what someone might think, are a shame and unworthy of their own heritage.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans has been given the “defense of the Confederate soldier’s good name,” and “the guardianship of his history.” As such we may get mad and upset at these self-serving hypocritical bigots that attack our noble Southern heritage and brave Confederate forefathers, but I firmly believe God is for us, and the Bible tells us in Romans 8:31, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Bro. Len Patterson, Th.D.
Chaplain, Army of Trans-Mississippi
Sons of Confederate Veterans

Without question, for the Sons of Confederate Veterans to be successful in it’s mission, our greatest need is God’s blessing. And, I believe God stands ready, able, and very willing to bless our most worthy Cause. However, for God to bless our work, the Sons of Confederate Veterans must be on “Blessing Ground.”

In 1971, I entered William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi as a Bible studies major, to begin preparing for the ministry. I had only been a Christian for a short time and felt that God had called me to preach. There were a number of other “preacher students” attending for the same reason, and almost every week one of them would get the opportunity to preach in one of the smaller churches in the area. Then he would ask us to pray for God’s blessings on the services. Of course, I would promise to pray for the Lord’s richest blessings on him and the church that Sunday. Yeah, right! In my heart I hoped he would fall flat on his face. I was jealous, I was envious! He was going to preach and I wasn’t. I wanted to preach. I wanted the Lord to bless me. But, I wasn’t on “Blessing Ground.”

The worst part was on Monday when he would give us a glowing report on how great the services were. I would say the right things, but inside I was angry. This went on for some time, until the Lord decided He had enough, and jumped all over me. I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t sleep. I was miserable. When the Lord starts whipping you, you know you’re being whipped. I finally realized how wrong I was, repented, and really started praying for anyone who had the opportunity to preach. I prayed hard and long for the Lord’s blessing on the message and the church services. Then on Monday, when they told us of the great services they had, I felt happy for them. In fact, I even felt that my prayers may have had something to do with God’s blessing. Now, I was on “Blessing Ground.”

Then, the Lord gave me the opportunity to preach and conduct services in a small church near the campus. The church not only asked me to come back the following Sunday, but in a few weeks called me as their pastor, and requested my ordination. Almost forty years ago the Lord taught me a lesson, and He taught it so well I’ve never forgotten. If we want God to bless us, we must be on “Blessing Ground.”

This truth applies not only to each of us as individuals, but to our Confederation and the Country. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God tells us, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” This verse, often called “God’s recipe for revival,” also tells us how to be on “Blessing Ground.”

My prayer today is that every member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans would support, encourage, and pray for every other member, especially for those in positions of leadership, and for those members with whom we disagree, feel anger, or have hard feelings. I believe the Lord our God wants to bless the Sons of Confederate Veterans, individually and collectively, but the Sons of Confederate Veterans must be on “Blessing Ground.”
Bro. Len Patterson, Th.D
Chaplain, Army of Trans-Mississippi
Sons of Confederate Veterans

It Is Time !

 

We are living in the eleventh hour of the age. As it was in the days of Noah, so it is today. The “perilous times” have come. Evil abounds, and the love of many has “waxed cold.” The mystery of lawlessness heads toward it’s awful climax, and we seem helpless to stop the process of destruction. Someone has said that America is a wilderness without a voice. It would be better to say that it is a wilderness with too many voices. Americans have been listening to professors, philosophers, and politicians. We need teachers of truth and fearless leaders. But such would at least be ignored, if not persecuted for their effort.

The Apostle Paul writes, “And that, knowing the time, that now is high time to awake out of sleep.” (Rom. 13: 11a) Our country, like Samson, has gone to sleep in the lap of Delilah, and the end result is disastrous. Our leaders have forgotten God, and the wisdom of our Founding Fathers. Now they are trying to “fix” all the problems that plaque our nation because of it, and it just gets worse. Over and over we are exhorted to awake, to watch and pray, and always be ready.

The answer to all the problems we face is to know, accept, and practice truth. As Christians, and as descendants of noble ancestors, we believe the truth. Not “our” truth, but “the” truth. Allow me to ask this question of every member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans: Do you think that the SCV can accomplish it’s mission, as given to us by Gen. S.D. Lee, without the power, direction, and blessings of God? Or, perhaps I should ask: Do you believe that if the Sons of Confederate Veterans, as one body, would turn to our Lord for direction, strength, and inspiration, He would bless our Cause and give us success in our mission? I do. In fact, I have no doubt that it is pure folly to believe otherwise.

It is time! Time for us to raise the banner of Christ in unity, and seek His direction for the SCV. In doing so, we cannot fail in our Cause to honor our noble Confederate forefathers, and our proud Southern heritage. If we think we can possibly succeed without Him, then our Cause is surely lost. It is time! Time to put our Lord in the center of our Confederation.

My prayer is that every member of the SCV see the need in his own life for our Lord Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him. Thus, will he have victory in his life, and bring life into the Sons of Confederate Veterans. May God bless each of you in this greatest of needs.

Brother Len Patterson, Th.D
Chaplain, Army of Trans-Mississippi
Sons of Confederate Veterans

God Needs You!

For nearly forty years I have stood before dozens of congregations, as either a pastor, evangelist, or visiting minister, and preached thousands of sermons.  However, of all the messages I’ve delivered, there are no more than six or so that I have preached more than once.  One such message is titled, “An Old Man and a Stick.”  During this message, I recount various Bible stories of how greatly God used simple, small, and seemingly weak people to accomplish monumental tasks.  Then after each account, I would remind the congregation of how God used an old man and a stick.

The old man and a stick is, of course, Moses.  God used Moses to confound the most powerful man on earth, and defeat the greatest empire in the world. 

Moses then led a nation of millions in a desert wilderness for forty years.  It was Moses who received Gods Law, and wrote the first five books of the Old Testament. When God called Moses and sent him to Egypt to begin this great work, he was just was an eighty-year-old man with a walking stick.

Under the inspiration of God’s Spirit, the Apostle Paul writes, “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought the things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence.”  (1 Cor. 1:27-29)

These verses tell us that since God uses foolish things, weak things, base things, things which are despised, and things which are not, He can use you and me.  God doesn’t need our money, our strength, our youth, or even our courage.  He just needs us.  He needs us to be faithful and committed to Him, and the work He has called us to do.  I believe that our Lord has a plan and a purpose for the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and that plan includes those who are faithful and true to our Cause.  Simply, God needs you!

But, we also need God.  Moses would not have succeeded, or even attempted the work God called him to, without God’s help. My prayer for each member of our honorable Confederation is that we seek god’s will and guidance in the work committed to us by Gen. Stephen Dill Lee, which is as it should be…..our defining characteristic.

Bro. Len Patterson, Thd.
Chaplain, Army of Trans Mississippi
Sons of Confederate Veterans

Brothers and fellow Compatriots,

Below is my message for Sunday, January 22nd.  As always, please feel free to forward or reply.  Your comments are most welcome.  It may also be used as a chaplain’s article for your camp or other newsletter.

Again, I want to thank those who forward my messages to others or post them on other sites.  For this I am very grateful.
Many thanks also to all those who sent cards, emails, or called to wish me well during my recent surgery and ongoing recovery.  I do appreciate you all very much.

May our Lord continue to bless each of you in His service and in service to our most worthy Cause.
 
Bro. Len Patterson, Th.D
Chaplain, Army of Trans-Mississippi
Member, Chaplain’s Corps Committee
Sons of Confederate Veterans

   
The Power of God!

Since the Lord saved me, about 40 years ago, I have always worn a small gold cross on my lapel, or in some circumstances on my shirt collar.  I do this because I’m proud to be a Christian.  I’m proud to be a servant of Jesus Christ, and I’m proud of the empty cross signifying my risen and living Lord.   The Apostle Paul writes, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is The Power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18) 

I can’t understand how anyone could have a personal relationship with  Jesus Christ and not want everyone to know it.  In writing to the Church in Rome, Paul says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is The Power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” (Rom. 1: 16)  The Apostle Paul may have been called a lot of things, but no one ever called him a sissy.  He knew where he stood, and for almost two thousand years, so has everyone else.

I also wear my SCV pin.  I do this because I’m proud to be a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.  I’m proud of my Southern heritage, and I’m especially proud of my brave Confederate forefathers, and the flag they fought under.  I’m also proud of my SCV Brothers who share my love and concern for our Southern Cause, and work to preserve our heritage and the honor of our Confederate veterans who so bravely fought the Union invaders. 

I can’t imagine a member of our Confederation not wanting to tell people about the SCV, or trying to recruit others to serve with us.  I can think of no reasonable excuse why so many Southerners have never even heard of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.  People need to know who we are, what we do, and just exactly where we stand. 

I believe, to be successful in our mission, the Sons of Confederate Veterans need to follow the example of the Apostle Paul and the early Church, which ultimately captured the Roman world for Christ.  This means doing four things.  First, we need to unite as one band of Brothers in our common Cause.  The Bible tells us that the early church was, “all with one accord,” (Acts 1: 14 & 2: 1) and as a result, thousands were “saved.” (Acts 2: 41)

Second, every member should be a crusader and recruiter for our Confederation.  Again, the Bible tells us that the first members of the Lord’s Church talked to others about the Lord Jesus as they traveled.  (see Acts 11: 19, 20)  The next verse says their efforts produced “great numbers” of new church members.

Third, Like the Apostle Paul and the early church, we must seek the guidance, strength, and blessings of God in our efforts.  To do less means stagnation.  To do less means failure.  To do less means being neutralized.  To do less means not having the greatest asset for our success: The Power of God.

And forth, we must never be ashamed or timid about who we are, what we stand for, or fearful of what some others may think.  In the last letter of his life, the Apostle Paul writes, “Be not thou ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel according to The Power of God.”  

May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bless every member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans as we seek to serve Him and our just and most worthy Cause. 

Amen.

Bro. Len Patterson, Th.D
Chaplain, Army of Trans-Mississippi
Sons of Confederate Veterans

We Remember!

 

The Scripture tells us in Ephesians 6: 2 & 3, “Honour thy father and mother;(which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” And, this is what we do. We, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Order of the Confederate Rose, the Military Order of the Stars and Bars, and others. We remember! This morning my wife and I returned home from Tyler, Texas where last evening we attended a Lee/Jackson banquet in remembrance of those two great military leaders and fine Southern gentlemen. It was an impressive event in which I learned much. Our Texas Division Commander, Ray James, gave an informative and interesting presentation on snipers in the Confederate Army. We were also treated to very inspiring and challenging addresses by H.K. Edgerton and his brother. Of course we took a number of photos to help us remember the occasion. Photographs do help us remember, and most of us enjoy looking at photographs, especially old photographs. We realize the people we are seeing in these old pictures were real, just as we are. They were alive and active. They were doing something before the camera snapped, and they continued doing something afterward, but we have one instant in their lives that is forever frozen in time. That’s what makes this, and all old photographs, so interesting. There were a lot of photographs taken during the War for Southern Independence. Many of them were done after a battle, and since they were taken by photographers with the Yankee invaders, they often show the bodies of Confederate soldiers. We’ve all seen them, and these photographs of our Confederate dead should give us a very clear perspective of the work and mission of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. They should help us to remember. There is one photograph of a young Confederate lying dead in a muddy ditch. He had a mother, a father, brothers, sisters, and other family members that loved him. They cared about him and worried about his welfare. Now he was dead and they didn’t know it. They may never know what happened to him. They may only know he, like so many other brave Confederate soldiers, just didn’t come home. It is their honor that is at stake. It is their memory that is at risk. It is the respect they are rightfully due, that is being viciously attacked. It is the Cause for which they fought and died that is being maliciously twisted to suit the agenda of the Unionists. It is their homes, country, and heritage, as well as ours, that is being subjected to ridicule by the willfully ignorant. It is their flag that is being made a symbol of shame and bigotry, by bigots who have no shame. And who is going to speak for them? Who is going to be their voice? Who is going to defend their honor? Who is going to stand up and say, “I am the proud descendant of a brave Confederate soldier. The South was right and their Cause was just.” Who? We are! It is our duty. It is our mission. Because, we are the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and that’s what we do. We remember! May God bless each of you in His service, and in service to our just and most worthy Cause. Brother Len Patterson, Th.D Chaplain, Army of Trans-Mississippi

The Right Way

Someone once said, “America is an insane asylum, and the inmates are in charge.” I don’t know if that’s exactly true, but it sounds about right. Because someone also said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

The American people elect the same candidates, to the same offices, to do the same work, for the same reasons, with the same results, as those who were elected before them. Then we wonder why things don’t change and just keep getting worse. We’ve put the Democrats in charge. We’ve put the Republicans in charge. We’ve elected men and women from every race and background who make campaign promises to fix all our problems. But, the end result is just more of the same.

The Bible refers to those, “Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray.” (2 Pet. 2: 14,15a) The Bible then states, “These are wells without water.” (Vs. 17) And, “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption.” (Vs. 19) This seems to be a fairly close description of many we elect to have our best interest at heart and in mind. How can we expect different results?

Under such leadership, as a nation, we have “forsaken the right way, and are gone astray.” So, what happened? How did we go astray? I’m sure most of us know. We have abandoned the policies and politics of our founding fathers, and have amended the Constitution until it is barely recognizable as the one they intended. And, as a nation, we have forsaken their Christianity as well. But, I see a glimmer of hope.

Even the most complacent American will eventually say, “Enough is enough, and I’ve had enough.” On April 15th we had Tea Parties. This is reminiscent of our Revolution. Also, more and more states are proclaiming their sovereignty and States Rights. If fact, one governor made a speech recently mentioning succession, that might have been made in 1861. It seems that many Americans are beginning to see things the way our Confederate forefathers did, whether they realize it or not.

Perhaps we are on the verge of turning back to the “right way.” But, I believe it must begin with turning back to our Christian Faith. This is true of our nation, and it is also true of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. We must remember the course laid out for us by those who fought for Southern independence. This is not only a responsibility, but an honor. However, to be successful, we must also remember the Christian faith practiced by the officers and men of the Armies of the Confederate States of America.

I is my prayer that God bless the Sons of Confederate Veterans and our most worthy Cause.  Amen.

 
Bro. Len Patterson
Chaplain, Army of Trans-Mississippi

Ancient Landmarks

There are those who seem to always follow the path of, “Out with the old and in with the new.” Of course there are times when updating is important. Few of us would want to do without air conditioning, television, our personal computer, or something as simple as fitted sheets and coffee pots that start brewing ten minutes before the alarm goes off in the morning. But, there are also many things that do not need to be changed. An evangelist preaching in a church I was pastoring some years ago, stated, “If it’s new, it can’t be true.” That statement may not apply to everything, but it does apply. Out with the old, and in with the new is not always a good idea, and in many circumstances, leads to destruction.

The Scripture says, “Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.” (Prov: 22: 28) Obviously, the landmarks referred to in these writings (and gatherings) of Solomon about three thousand years ago, are not the same today. For example: The Bible, and especially the New Testament, written by our Christian Fathers under the inspiration of God, does not need to be changed (except for translations) amended, updated, and certainly not removed. But it has been. The Bible has been removed from our schools, courts and public assemblies, and the result has lead to chaos, destruction, and even death. Prayer has also been removed along with the Cross, Nativity scenes and anything else that represents the “Faith of our fathers.” What can we, as a people, expect when we remove these ancient landmarks which our fathers have set.

Not only has the faith of our fathers been removed, but so has their morality and sense of decency. I won’t belabor this point or we’ll be here all day. However, I will mention the recent Miss America Pageant. How can America expect God’s blessing when a young woman loses her chance to be crowned because she states that a marriage should be between a man and a woman, and the openly homosexual judge who asked the question didn’t like it. Well, imagine that. I doubt our fathers would believe such an thing even possible. The ancient landmark of morality and decency set by our fathers has been removed. Far removed.

As members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, we also have ancient landmarks set by our fathers that must not be removed. Our Confederate forefathers set and example of courage and determination in the face of a destructive and unwarranted invasion, which we are to preserve, uphold and emmulate. It is their name, their flag, their monuments, and their honor which is under attack today. This is the legacy, this is the responsibility, this is the honor they passed on to us, and it’s up to us to insure that these ancient landmarks are preserved and never removed.

May God grant to the Sons of Confederate Veterans the strength, unity of purpose, spiritual guidance, and faith, to protect and preserve the ancient landmarks set by our fathers. 

Amen.

Bro. Len Patterson, Th.D
Chaplain Army of Trans-Mississippi

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (KJV)

 The Birth of Jesus Foretold

Isaiah 40:1-11

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:

And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (KJV)

Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.”

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. (KJV)

Luke 2:1-14

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 ”Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (KJV)

The Visit of the Shepherds

Luke 2:15-20

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (KJV)

The Visit of the Magi (Wise Men)

Matthew 2:1-12

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

 ” ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’ “

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (KJV)

 

I feel confident I can say this without concern of being stoned, beaten, imprisoned, or exiled to Patmos.  I really don’t believe there can be any debate or argument.  So, here it is: Christmas is a Christian holiday!

Since the early fourth century, Christmas has been a day set aside by Christians to commemorate and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.  That’s what it is, and that’s all it is.  If Christ and the Nativity are taken away from Christmas, then there is no Christmas.  Of course, as we all know, there are those who would like to do just that.  But, without Christ what would Christmas be a celebration of, and what would it be called?

Some malcontents who claim to be offended by a nativity scene might say, Why don’t we eliminate Christ and Christianity and just have a holiday season to celebrate joy, peace, and love?  We could have a holiday tree with holiday gifts, send out holiday cards and wish each other “Happy Holidays.”  This all may seem to make sense to some, but it really doesn’t.  You see, without Christ, there is no joy, peace or love.

Jesus said, in John 15:11, “These things I have spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”  Then in John 16:33, He said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”  And in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”  The Apostle John writes, “If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us.” (1 John 4:12)  True joy, peace and love comes from knowing Jesus Christ and in our relationship with Him.

Perhaps it would be better if we eliminated all the hoopla and secular nonsense that has been attached to Christmas, and continue to celebrate the birth of Christ and the joy, peace and love He ushered into the world.  After all, that is what the Christmas holiday has been all about since it was first celebrated by Christians, almost seventeen hundred years ago.

To all those who are not Christians, we invite you to join with us as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Hopefully, in sharing our holiday with us you’ll be blessed.  To those who want to feel offended, or wish to cause trouble or in some way create a hostile atmosphere during our time of remembrance, we have only this to say:  Go away and stay away, Christmas is a Christian Holiday!

Bro. Len Patterson, Th.D
Chaplain, Army of Trans-Mississippi
Sons of Confederate Veterans