The CHRIST Program is unique in that the program's details are not in the program itself. Every Christian using the program creates their own set of guidelines that they will follow, and collectively those guidelines become the programs details. So the first thing everyone needs to do is to define for their self what is wrong with Christmas and what changes should be made to fix it. You can easily do some of this by making simple decision tables in which you organize all faith items of importance to you and set priorities. Such tables are easy to make, and the Holy Spirit will help. On the left you place things that are disrespectful to your faith and on the right things that are respectful of your faith. There will always be some variation in such tables between individuals, congregations, and denominations; but such variation is to be expected. You can make tables with two, three, or five columns. The more the columns you have the more discernment that is possible. As an example, something as basic as locally available Christmas cards can be put into in each of these three table styles:
Table 1 — A Two Column Example
| Disrespectful | Respectful |
|---|---|
| Shop until you drop | Nativity |
| Lewd messages | St. Nicholas |
| Happy Holidays | Anything Biblical |
| Magic animals | Angels |
| Santa Claus | Love & Peace |
Table 2 — A Three Column Example
| Disrespectful | Neutral | Respectful |
|---|---|---|
| Shop until you drop | Love & Peace | Nativity |
| Lewd messages | Santa Claus | St. Nicholas |
| Happy Holidays | Anything Biblical | |
| Magic animals | Angels |
Table 3 — A Five Column Example
| -2 | -1 | 0 | +1 | +2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disrespectful | Neutral | Respectful | ||
| Shop until you drop | Happy Holidays | Love & Peace | Anything Biblical | Nativity |
| Lewd messages | Magic animals | Santa Claus | St. Nicholas | Angels |
Decide how many columns you will have in your tables. You can put anything into your tables that is important to your faith. We recommend that you do not identify specific items, but rather types. Thus, if you made a table for children's electronic games and were defining inappropriate items you might use satanic, horror, or supernatural and not specify the "Zombies Revenge in Hell" game. As you create such tables you are working with the Holy Spirit to help clarify and add perspective to your own faith. You will then be carrying the basics of your tables in your heart everywhere you go and into everything you do. Thus, you gain insight into whose you are, who you are trying to become, and become far more discerning with respect to secular things. If entire congregations or denominations compile such tables, it is entirely appropriate to post them on your web sites for both your members and the secular world to see.
The CHRIST Program's power in the secular world comes from the "golden rule of retailing" which is "The customer is always right." As you begin walking your walk you will begin walking toward those things that you find compatible with your faith and walking away from those things that are offensive to your faith. Thereby, your faith walk will begin impacting which stores you go into, the kinds of items you purchase, the movies you watch, the books you read, the music you listen to, the TV programs you watch, etc. Especially during the Christmas Season, pray and reflect on what is important to you as a devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
Christians are encouraged to become visible during the Christmas season and to speak up when they encounter things that are disrespectful of Christmas. By speaking up you can tell retailers, politicians, community leaders, friends, and family members what is important to you, and when many Christians all speak up we will effect change. The true challenge is to "walk the walk" and set a positive example for your family, friends, children, and other Christians. Of course, each person must use their own judgment to decide when to speak up and what to say, so pray for both discernment and courage. Whenever you speak up, try to talk to the other people kindly from the point of view of your faith walk. In doing so you are emphasizing that you are only doing what God expects of you, and that you do not have any ill feelings toward them.
Go To Next Section (Selecting Gifts)