I posted the following question on my Facebook status update along with asking it on Twitter.
“Why do we (when I say “we” I mean those who are Christ-followers) expect non-Christian companies or people to say Merry Christmas?”
I have to honestly say that I really do not care if I go to Walmart and the cashier wishes me a “Happy Holidays” instead of wishing me a “Merry Christmas”. In the grand scheme of things it really doesn’t matter. Not too mention that somehow I am thinking that it really doesn’t spread the hope, peace, joy and love of the Christmas Advent when we shout back at that person, “IT’S MERRY CHRISTMAS NOT HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!” Can you honestly say that you think that is how Christ would have us respond?
I believe that if Jesus was walking through Walmart and had the same encounter that He would say thank you. That should be our very same response if we are truly Christ-followers.
This week we are focusing on peace in the Advent season and I want to do what I can to show the peace of God here on this earth as much as I can. So instead of getting all upset and in a rage I would rather sow seeds of peace.
I also find it funny that in 1966 CBS aired an ad like this….
And people thought back then that it was okay. Now suddenly saying things like “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Holidays” is bad. Why the difference? I know that some would say that they feel that our government and society was more “christian” then and it isn’t anymore. But I disagree. I don’t think that there should be any difference at all. Besides the word holiday comes from the words “holy” and “day” being mashed together.
So let’s make sure that we actually make it a MERRY Christmas or a HAPPY Holiday in how we respond.
My prayer is that Christ-followers would grasp a hold of the hope of the coming of Christ as we celebrate Jesus’ birth. That we would find ways to sow peace in our world and especially everywhere that we go. That love would be the greatest thing in our lives. And, lastly, that we would share the joy of the Savior with our friends and family.
@JesusNeedsNewPR introduced me to Christmas caroling for immature fundamentalists:
O CHRISTmas tree, o CHRISTmas tree, how lovely are thy BRAnches…
Todd, In 1870 the U.S. government made Thanksgiving and Christmas both federal holidays. Not Hanuka or Kwanzaa but Christmas. Back in the 1800 In the case of Holy Trinity Church vs. United States the supreme court ruled we are a Christian nation. So for anyone to denounce or try to down play our holiday is anti-American. I am not saying they must celebrate it but let the 95% of us who do want to celebrate it do so freely.
The issue at hand is not that Christians are trying to “make” everyone say Merry Christmas but that we are able to say Merry Christmas. A number of businesses are forbidding free Americans from wishing someone a Merry Christmas. A couple of law suits have been brought on by Christians to freely express themselves. I have not heard or read of any conservative organization or person “making” anyone or organization say Merry Christmas. AFA does have a naughty and nice list encouraging Christians to call or stay away is the business enforces a No Merry Christmas clause. The Christian conservatives will not dictate what a company does or says, we will encourage companies to let us have our freedom of speech and not be anti-federal holiday though.
As far as Christ is concerned he absolutely would have said Merry Christmas. He would have done like he did in Scripture and turned the Happy Holiday to the Father. Expressing their is not a happy holiday unless their is a Merry CHRISTmas.
@Carl I am sure that Jesus might respond with a “Merry Christmas” back, but He wouldn’t act like some Christians are and shout at people. I don’t see the big deal in someone who may or may not believe the same as me saying Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas.
Every Christian has the freedom to kindly say Merry Christmas. However, if your employer asks you not to then I believe it is a Christian’s duty to obey those in authority over them. They are not being asked to deny Christ’s deity or to denounce Him. They are only being asked to respect the beliefs of other people while they are on the job.
I will have to check out the AFA list and make sure I go to those stores and share the love of Christ with those businesses and their employees. I believe that is exactly what Jesus would do.
I just found this article in a google search and I found it interesting. Also thought I’d add my two cents.
First of all, I’ve never shouted at someone when they’ve wished me a Happy Holiday or gotten nasty about it (and never actually seen anybody else do that), but I do think it “matters” for this reason: our culture is rapidly sliding towards such politically correct ambiguity that we stand for NOTHING anymore. In the name of “inclusiveness” we are told what we should and should not say, and it seems that usually the people left excluded are Christians. Of course. That’s exactly what Jesus SAID to expect. But it doesn’t mean that we just let our culture slide that way without taking a stand against it.
Many (though not all) employees who say “Happy Holidays” rather than “Merry Christmas” are operating out of fear: fear about what their employers will say (those very employers are acting out of fear that they will be censured for allowing the dreaded “C word to be spoken on their premises.) I believe that as an employee I should honor my employer but I also believe that the Constitution’s promise of free speech overrides any authority my employer has over me. I answer to the highest government, the U.S. Constitution, before I answer to my employer.
I am passionate about this subject because it is a vivid picture of the decline of my culture. I do believe that we should respond pleasantly and in a Christlike manner, but that we ought to take a definite STAND.
@Danielle I don’t think that it is a problem to politely respond with Merry Christmas. The problem lies when Christ-followers feel that other people can tell the story of Christmas for us. That isn’t their story to tell, nor our governments job to tell it, it is the story of people who believe in Jesus to tell it.
I have seen far too many Christians get all up in arms over stores saying Happy Holidays or even our government doing it. I am not so sure I want them telling that story anyway. Plus, how can we say that the birth of Jesus has changed us when we get all bent out of shape over something like this? If Jesus has taken up residence in our lives and we are following His example then we should do what He would do and respond how He would respond. Jesus always responded to unbelievers with grace and love. We need to do the same.