When I arrived at a local business the other day, I greeted a friend of mine who works there with “Happy Holidays!” Another employee walking up, having heard me, looked straight at my friend and said, “That’s just a fancy way of saying, ‘Merry Christmas.’” I was in a hurry, so I didn’t engage in what could have been an interesting conversation. But I felt that I had been gently rebuked by someone who probably thought that I wasn’t a Christian.
While I’m not certain of the underlying reason for his response, I’m well aware of the Christian Christmas politicking that we’ve come to expect this time of the year. Down with Santa. Up with the Baby Jesus. Be openly offended by Merry Xmas, because the decadent commercialists have purposely taken Christ out of Christmas (even though there seem to be plenty of presents under that tree). Like the sudden increase in police patrols seeking holiday drunks, churchgoers also beef up their yuletide protocol patrols.
How do I know this is happening? Just count the number of coroplast yard signs that shout We Still Say Merry Christmas. Or you could drive through our local synchronized light show, featuring in their recorded lineup the group Go Fish, with their hit, It’s Called Christmas. Are Christians personally offended by any so-called attack on what they believe? Do they see themselves as part of God’s army — Onward Christian Soldiers — that sort of thing?
Before you write me off as a liberal Scrooge, let me first say that I love Christmas, and I love Jesus. I’m just annoyed that so many of those who claim Christ proceed to act un-Christian toward others who are not in step with their political correctness. At this time of year when we should be proclaiming Peace On Earth, we’re instead consumed with, “Get you’re atheist/humanist billboard away from my manger scene!” Does God need defending? Does Jesus need a bodyguard?
I know they took prayer out of schools. I know they kill the unborn. I know that in our melting pot of America that they, whoever they are, seem to bend over backwards for those who don’t believe that we are a Christian nation, and who think that they themselves are the ones being persecuted. But the last time I checked in the Bible, particularly the teachings of Jesus, God works in the hearts of men through the heartfelt concern of those who already know and follow him.
This would be a good place to also interject the meaning of love. God is all about love. The 13th Apostle (actually 14th) Paul fully understood the meaning (read I Corinthians 13). There’s a lot listed about what love does and doesn’t do with regard to our behavior with those around us — friends, family, strangers and enemies alike. This is truly a standard for us to go by when we feel that we have to Stand Up For Jesus. He was really into lowliness, meekness and gentleness. When did we change the criteria for how we should act?
The shepherds near Bethlehem were told by a visiting angel that they were receiving “good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Good news sounds like the gospel. Bad news makes for great TV and newsprint. Good news is the gift that keeps on giving if we continue to draw from that well of Living Water. Joy comes when things start to go right, or when we realize the hope that things will be right. For all the people shouldn’t be for just those who have pithy yard signs or who bounce to the beat of contemporary Christian Christmas classics. God is bigger than that.
Merry Christmas to all. And Happy Holidays too!
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December 20th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
This was a fantastic post. If more Christians were this rational, I dare say that they wouldn’t have the bad reputation they find themselves fending off these days.
December 30th, 2008 at 5:29 am
I have sometimes wondered about the necessity of the nativity story. Why couldn’t Christ have just showed up like Melchizedek in the Old Testament? Why did he have to be Jewish if he was the savior for all people? The virgin birth concept could certainly be an authentication of his heavenly arrival, but we know so little of his child life. The Apocryphal writings give us a sketchy, kind of Bewitched version of the young Jesus, a boy who brings his toys to life, or blinds his playmates when he’s angry. But this doesn’t track with the idea of the perfect son of God. I agree with you that we must take care not to relegate our Lord to only holidays like Christmas and Easter. He and his teaching should always be on our hearts and minds.
December 27th, 2008 at 11:39 am
I will never forget the Christmas night that I saw a nativity scene and Santa and his sled equally sharing the spotlight. I felt like it was an example of a mixture of paganism and Christianity, and it was. However, I didn’t give the people who put up the display much spiritual credit. I felt like they didn’t know any better. But, I’ve come to accept that Christmas means different things to different people. For some it’s just a time to party, others see it as an invitation to lavish gifts on their family and friends, and some peole like to light the candles, put on soft Christmas music, and visit with loved ones. I fell into the last category this year. Usually, I like to acknowledge and give attention to the beloved son of God that was born on that day, but for some reason, there was less of that for me this season. I think the birth of Christ is a precious and beautiful part of the story of Christ’s life, and one that I will always love.
I have found that the main thing is to have Christ in your heart the whole year. He loves me, directs and teaches me, and he is my friend. I fail at obeying him lots of times, but he seriously wants me to obey him. With his guidance, I hope that I will improve as time goes along.