So here it is, Merry Christmas! But not everyone is having fun it seems.

For some years, calling for an alternative Christmas was an indicator of trendy orthodoxy. Commitment to reimagine, redeem or simply remove the tacky commercialism marked the serious-minded, late twentieth century follower of Jesus. 2005, however, might be the year to reassess our attitudes as it appears the seasonal festivities have become the new touchstone of secular intolerance.

This Advent season has been marked by an unprecedented display of antagonism towards all things Christian in the public square. Some of the most reported include the banning of the Salvation Army playing carols at a senior citizens' home, the removal of carols from a school choir programme and the renaming of lights in one local town square 'celebrity lights'.

Then there is the brouhaha over the postage stamps. If Hindus are offended by the Asian Christ then let it not be said that Ulster Protestants don't know how to join in. Nativity scenes, we are told, should not be promoted at Christmas because they give undue prominence to the Madonna and child. God forbid that motherhood be honoured in any way as part of the incarnation!

Look to the future now, it's only just begun!

And there's more. The first gay civil partnerships were enacted in Belfast, much to the consternation of many local Christians. Acceptance of the rights of those who make different moral choices from us is problematic if our faith is about law and not grace. Harder still if, at the same time, you feel your cultural space to be a Christian in our society is being eroded.

In the long-running saga of our peace process, as in many family sagas, it seems to be the time of year for dramatic developments. With the unveiling of a British spy in the highest circles of the republican movement, our dirty war is revealed in all its glory and the prospect of a dirty peace looms large. Truth and trust disappear in the smoke and mirrors of the great game as we are asked to believe the magician of our choice.

If life scares us, it doesn't scare God. For Christians, hostile or defiant reactions, or fearful withdrawal from ambiguity and mess are not the most appropriate responses to the culture around us. Christmas needs to be celebrated, more than ever, by our living in vulnerable engagement with those around us. It's the other 364 days that give meaning to this one day. The presence of grace and truth in a world of hurt and deception rests with us. We are to be good news in how we live with difference and commit to making peace.

'Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace, goodwill to all on whom his favour rests' must be the song of all our hearts and be shown in all our lives.

Merry Christmas

David Porter

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Kingdom Come…more than words is a joint initiative of Evangelical Alliance and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. It runs from 30th January - 2nd February 2006. For further details visit: http://www.kingdomcomeireland.com/home.html

Interdenominational Divine Healing Ministries invites you to a Day of Prayer for our Land at St. Anne's Cathedral, Belfast on Saturday, 28 January from 10am to 4pm. The theme will be: What does our country need at this time?