Let me say this upfront if you have been redirected back to this blog post: I’m Sorry. My intentions is not to offend you, hurt your feelings, or make you angry at me. Maybe you saw the link and clicked on it, or are a regular reader. Please understand, I am not trying to offend you. But there is a problem. It creeps its ugly head up around this time of year. It is the “Merry Christmas” uproar.
I know, I know, what am I saying?!? This is what I am saying: why are we making a big deal about this? While I cannot prove this, I would not be surprised if many American Christians believe the following fictitious account:
When a person dies, they are immediately transported to the gate of heaven. There, some historical religious person (like Paul, Peter, or maybe Gabriel or another angel) waits to either let people in or keep them out.As you walk to the door, you knock two times and a little hinged door opens up and the voice inside asks, “What’s the password to let you in to heaven?” You excitedly and emphatically answer, “Merry Christmas!” The door then swings wide open, and you enter in to heaven as countless others stand sulking on the outside saying, “Why did I say Happy Holidays?!?”
It always amazes me as to all the people who get so bent out of shape when some department store decides to hang a banner that read Happy Holidays and not Merry Christmas. It is as if some people think that Jesus was speaking to Target, Wal-Mart, etc. and not the church when He said, “Go ye therefore into all nations…” These stores are not in the business of spreading the Gospel, they are in the business of making money. That is what they base their decision on. Christians, on the other hand, SHOULD be about the business of spreading the Gospel into all nations.
So, am I saying that you should not say “Merry Christmas”? NO. I always using the phrase because that is what I am celebrating. Here is my point: instead of getting mad at a store for taking “Christ out of Christmas,” lets get upset with ourselves for thinking it is someone else’s responsibility to do what God has commanded us to do.
So now, when I see the phrase “Happy Holidays,” it is a reminder to me about my responsibility to spread the Gospel. How about you?
I agree heartily. Why should we expect a store (not a living person) to be spreading the true "reason for the season?"
ReplyDeleteHowever, I appreciate it when a store, or other business, allows employees to decorate how they want for the holidays, as well as giving them the freedom to say "Merry Christmas" when they pass you in the aisles.
Thanks Jordan. I agree with you in that I am against the "oppression" of the word Christmas. I am just more disappointed in Christians who get upset about it, but never witness themselves.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good post! You are exactly right. It's their business to make money and our business, or it SHOULD be OUR business to spread the gospel. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThere are other holidays around in December. I expect stores to reach out to all there customers. While I hope to hear Merry Christmas, it causes me no pain to hear "Happy Holidays" when I say it. I also regret those who make celebrating Jesus' birth an issue. For me, the word Christmas and December as the date aren't as important as celebrating God's unspeakable gift.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra & Grammy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Jordan said...
ReplyDeleteand What you said...
Christians who get upset about it, but never witness themselves.
I run across alot sad to say...