Merry Christmas

Ya know, the whole "Merry Christmas" versus "Happy Holidays" thing is getting old. At least with me. To the rest of the world it may be just revving up, but I'm over it. I occasionally get these forwarded emails from my Christian acquaintances that strongly condemn the "happy holidays" greeting. Got one the other day with the usual, 'this is not a holiday tree, it's a Christmas tree, this is not a holiday wreath, it's a Christmas wreath' etc. etc. I understand the frustration. The 'policitally correct' Christmas season is so ludicrous. You know, let's not offend anyone by mentioning the word Christmas. Yeah yeah yeah. But as a Christian, I'm beginning to lean toward the "happy holidays" camp. Surprised? I'll explain.

The Christmas season has travelled so far afield of the celebration of Christ's birth, I'd rather people stop associating the two. As soon as the fake cobwebs come down after Halloween, the Christmas decorations and toy specials appear in stores. It's a cliche to even go into detail about what it's all become. Everyone knows it. The shopping, the stress, the constant bombardment of jewelry store ads on TV designed to make men feel horribly inadequate if they don't lavish their women with bling for Christmas. Yeah. Christmas. Bah Humbug. So yeah, I'd rather that people not associate this shameful lust for stuff with our Savior's birth.


I know it's upsetting that schools won't allow Christmas trees in their hallways and that non-Christian neighbors complain if there's a nativity scene within sight of their property. It's so stupid, it's so beyond stupid, I've become a little numb to it. It's just not worth the stomach ache.

A lot of us remember when everyone tossed off a "Merry Christmas!" to everyone they'd meet and no one thought anything of it. But you see, that's a little problem too. No one really thought anything about it. Nowadays you think twice before saying it. Even if you decide you're just going to say it, no matter what, you've thought about it. It's a decision to acknowledge Christ. Maybe that's not such a bad thing.

Personally, I think that wishing a "Merry Christmas" too early in December is a little silly anyway. Just because the decorations are up doesn't mean you have to jump the gun. It does seem holiday-like though, so "Happy Holidays" is okay with me, if you feel you have to go there at all. But the week or so before Christmas begins to feel more sacred to me. And I've decided to wish people "Merry Christmas". People say 'Happy Holidays' to me, and I answer "Merry Christmas". Not as a political statement or retort or with any defensive attitude whatsoever. It's just what I want to say. I don't think anyone will faint away with apoplexia. (I read that word in an old book somewhere and I like it.)

So that's it. I just wanted to get that off my chest. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and we'll be travelling across the state to be with our kids and grandkids. I can't wait. We will share love and time and yes, lots of gifts, and we will eat together and we will pray together and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

So, I pray for God's peace in our hearts as the beginning of peace on earth, and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas.