Every year around this time I'm inundated with messages, emails, and tweets from people denouncing the celebration of Christmas on the 25th and the Christmas season in general. Here's why I choose to celebrate during this time.

In that span known as "the beginning", God created units of time known as days. Each day was His. They all belonged to Him. Everything that was done within those days were centered on His good and perfect will.

Then evil entered the world. Mankind broke its promise with God and a separation occurred. No longer could mankind walk and talk and commune with God as had occurred before the Fall. But one thing did not change. The days still belonged to God, and evil wanted them all.

Since those times, evil has sought to claim the days. Through non-believers, pagan religions, and the impersonal functions of government and commerce, the honor and respect of God every day have become "recognitions" of what mankind has or intends to accomplish, "remembrances" of mankind's achievements and failures, and, in many instances, the exaltation and worship of anything and everything other than God, supplanting the Creator with His creation. Today, evil has attempted to steal all the days of the year.

I celebrate the Christmas season and especially Christmas day, not because I believe Jesus was born December 25---I know of no one on the planet who believes that---but I celebrate because during this time of "Happy Holidays", Xmas Shopping, Winter Solstice worship, and all those other efforts which draw attention away from the Hope we carry within us, I choose and determine to take back the days, to reclaim before all who can hear my voice and read my words what has been God's from the beginning.

The day belongs to my Heavenly Father and no one will ever steal it from Him! And so I say, Merry Christmas...for good news of great joy...for a star shining brightly one dark night...for celebrating the birth of Jesus...for rejoicing and praising the one true God. And may we have the courage, boldness, and unity to carry the message and joy of Christ each and every day.