In the early days of our nation’s history there were colonies which were professedly Christian. Happily, however, when the nation emerged from the revolution it was clearly determined that no denomination, no religion, would be adopted to further clarify and buttress our national identity: a unique and remarkable decision for that era.

That decision was largely grounded in a recognition that no consensus choice among denominations would be possible or desirable. That decision has proven to be of enormous and unanticipated importance.

As a Christian I would like to think that our core national values, especially our respect for individual liberty, reflect a deep Christian value. However, it would be a mistake to imagine that Christianity, among all religions, cherishes that value uniquely.

Frankly, I shudder to imagine the nation that is envisioned by those who would like this country to become what its founders never intended: a nation grounded in Christian doctrine. Much as I want for all people to know the love of God as revealed in Jesus, I, emphatically, do not want this nation to become “Christian” in any formal political sense.

I am convinced that a theocratic nation, that is a nation that understands itself to be living under and out of the direct leadership of God, is a deeply dangerous place. Such a nation naturally and inevitably comes to believe that its positions and policies are nothing less than a mandate from God. Hence its programs and policies can not fail to result in the stifling of individual initiative and human freedom.

The genius of our founders was the graceful recognition that the familiar European practice of adopting a national religion was not consistent with their view of liberty. That understanding has proven a virtue. In the favorable climate which freedom has created religion of all sorts has flourished.

There are those who lament this religious pluralism. I, however, am convinced that this openness strengthens religious faith, by encouraging people of faith to better understand what they hold dear in the light of the convictions of other people of faith. There is, of course, no guarantee that this will happen, but, in a community of respect, that deeper understanding is a more probable outcome.

There is, however, another dimension of this to be considered. Though this is not a Christian nation in a political sense, it is a Christian nation culturally. That is to say a very broad understanding of Christian faith is widely known, even if it is not nearly so widely practiced.

And it is out of this broad, although often inaccurate, understanding that a national celebration of the season of Christmas has emerged. Many cultures have developed festival seasons to stave off the doldrums of long winter nights. For many this is the role that the celebration of Christmas plays. For others of us this is the season that heralds the birth of the one who has assured us of the abiding love of God. For those, our culture’s intense and largely misguided commercial focus on Christmas is a distraction from the wonder of the great promise which we seek to celebrate.