It was 2007 and I was feeling patriotic about the Iraq War. I was also getting to know my fiancee's extended family, and at a family get-together my future sister-in-law shared her anti-war views. I couldn't help myself. I had to respond.
My future sister-in-law said that the war was ruining America's reputation across the world. I said I didn’t care what the world thought, and then I proceeded to tell her what I thought of the rest of the world.
Finally, I shut down the conversation with a serenade.
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“You can say what you want,” I said with a smirk, "but I think Lee Greenwood said it best in 'Proud to be an American.'" Then I belted out the song.
“I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free! And I won’t forget the men who died and gave that right to me!”
I thought it was pretty funny, but it didn’t go over well with my future family member.
My future sister-in-law just looked at me with a blank stare, turned around and went to the kitchen to do something other than talk to me.
When I look back on that conversation, I cringe. It was so reckless – I hardly knew my fiancee’s sister and yet I saw fit to go to the mat over a complicated political question. But I wasn't the first to do it and I won't be the last – especially at this contentious political moment in history.
It's just so tempting to convert our Christmas get-togethers into stages for political punditry. We can hardly help ourselves. There's nothing like gossiping about the palace intrigue involving one of the most powerful leaders on the planet.
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If we simply must talk politics about powerful leaders, however, I say we discuss a political event for the ages – one involving two kings. This event impacts you and me more than the news about a presidential impeachment ever could.
You may recall the story: One "king," known as Cesar Augustus, orders everyone in his empire to participate in a census. It's poor timing for a couple named Mary and Joseph, who live in a conquered little country called Israel.
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Joseph travels 90 miles with Mary, who's pregnant, to a little town called Bethlehem. It is there that Mary delivers a baby named Jesus and places him in a feed trough – a humble crib for a child born into poverty.
That child would grow up to serve, love and heal. And as a grown man, His glory would come to its apex when He hung on a cross, taking on the sins of the world so that the world could become like Him.
Above Jesus' bleeding head would be a title, issued by a Roman governor, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." The baby boy from Nazareth was lifted up to kingship by taking on a crown of thorns for you and me.
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Now that's a political discussion worth having.
In the midst of all of the strife in our country, let's redirect our attention and conversation to the true reason for Christmas: Jesus Christ, the one for whom the angels still declare: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!"