Thursday, December 1, 2011

Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?

In our politically-correct society, Christ often gets pushed out of Christmas. As a Christian pastor, this concerns me.  What concerns me more is how some Christians respond with venom and animosity.  For example, responding with a condescending in-your-face “Merry Christmas” reply when someone says “Happy Holidays.”  I agree with being proactive in keeping Christ in Christmas, but doing so in a graceful way.  For example:


- Greeting people with a joyful “Merry Christmas” when going about your day.

- Sending out cards that say “Merry Christmas,” that have pictures of the Nativity, or that include scripture. Will the people on your list know that Christ is at the heart of Christmas when they receive your cards?

- Putting a Nativity set on your lawn. Does your neighborhood really need another giant inflatable snow globe? If so, why not do both?

- There are some rather nasty emails going around about “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays.” How about deleting them rather than forwarding them on?

- Inviting people to Christmas worship services in December.

These are a few suggestions. Even more important, though, is living our lives so that people see Christ in us. And doing so more than a few weeks out of the year. Let the light of Christ shine through you this Advent and Christmas season and beyond.

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