Fighting the War on Christmas
Keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas.
Jesus is the reason for the season.
It's Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays!
These sorts of phrases are so very common this time of year. But just like hearing the same few Christmas songs a million times over - Santa Baby, Rudolph, Jingle Bells, and Winter Wonderland, because religious carols "can't" be broadcast in public - I get tired of hearing the bitter retort coming from the mouths of Christians this time of year.
Whatever happened to peace on Earth, and goodwill toward men?
Our society has a big problem. And it's not the fact that Christmas can be different for just about everyone. Each family has its own traditions, and each religion has its own way of celebrating. That doesn't mean that people "hate" Christmas, or that they want to remove the Christian elements from what has turned into a predominantly Christian holiday in some parts of the world. There are a few that may have this idea on their agenda, but those few can't take the joy of Christmas from us until we let their ideas pierce our hearts and turn us into spiteful beings ourselves.
Why can't Christians see that there are wolves among the sheep that are driving them to take their focus from where it should be? We shouldn't be incensed that an employee at a store is required to say "happy holiday" or else risk losing his job. It's his personal decision as to whether or not that is a stand he wants to take; and given our current state of the economy, I probably wouldn't risk it either. (In fact, when working at the store, I never even say "Merry Christmas" or "happy holiday" unless it's said to me first. This is how I avoid the whole thing. Sure, I thank people for coming in and wish them a good afternoon, but the holiday greetings stay inside until prompted. See how easy it is to NOT offend anyone?)
Instead of continuing to rage about how horrible it is that "Christmas has changed," these people should slow down enough to see that they are the ones that are changing Christmas, and not for the better, might I add.
Because of the few that are encouraging the masses to "fight the war on Christmas," many people come to see the holiday season as a stressful time, full of bitter and hateful feelings, and that is NOT what this time of year is about, regardless of whether you are a Christian or not. But Christians, even more so, should see that their spiteful sayings are only stirring up more trouble, and not helping things in the least. Instead of spitting out, "It's Merry Christmas!!" when an employee offers a cheerful holiday greeting, perhaps accept the warm gesture and return it in your own way? Christmas is about sharing, giving, and loving, not about being louder than everyone else in an effort to prove that you're right and they're wrong.
I feel compelled to ask that those currently involved in the "war on Christmas" turn in a new direction, and fight the war on Christmas. No, I don't mean continue to pound catchy rebellious sayings into the heathens around you. Those "heathens" are celebrating this time of year, too. Instead, fight the urge to be self-righteous. Fight the rage that wells up inside of you when the TV news tells you that you should boycott a store because they "don't say Merry Christmas." Fight the ludicrous notion that there is something to fight about in the first place!
Replace this "war on Christmas" with the "Warmth of Christmas." Do something nice for someone - even if they don't believe the same as you do. By making kind gestures you are also sharing the love of Christ with others - and if you truly believe that Jesus is the reason for this season, your kindness and generosity will show that reason much better than a catchy slogan ever could. Take time this holiday season to reach out to others in your community - and don't pick and choose based on what other people believe. Show everyone God's love this Christmas - and continue on into the new year. You'd be amazed at how many lives that will change... including your own.
It's a wonderful feeling
Feel the love in the room
From the floor to the ceiling
It's that time of year
Christmastime is here
And with the blessings from above
God sends you his love
And everything's okay
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays
(Lyrics censored for radio broadcast from "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" by *NSYNC, Home For Christmas 1998)
Jesus is the reason for the season.
It's Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays!
These sorts of phrases are so very common this time of year. But just like hearing the same few Christmas songs a million times over - Santa Baby, Rudolph, Jingle Bells, and Winter Wonderland, because religious carols "can't" be broadcast in public - I get tired of hearing the bitter retort coming from the mouths of Christians this time of year.
Whatever happened to peace on Earth, and goodwill toward men?
Our society has a big problem. And it's not the fact that Christmas can be different for just about everyone. Each family has its own traditions, and each religion has its own way of celebrating. That doesn't mean that people "hate" Christmas, or that they want to remove the Christian elements from what has turned into a predominantly Christian holiday in some parts of the world. There are a few that may have this idea on their agenda, but those few can't take the joy of Christmas from us until we let their ideas pierce our hearts and turn us into spiteful beings ourselves.
Why can't Christians see that there are wolves among the sheep that are driving them to take their focus from where it should be? We shouldn't be incensed that an employee at a store is required to say "happy holiday" or else risk losing his job. It's his personal decision as to whether or not that is a stand he wants to take; and given our current state of the economy, I probably wouldn't risk it either. (In fact, when working at the store, I never even say "Merry Christmas" or "happy holiday" unless it's said to me first. This is how I avoid the whole thing. Sure, I thank people for coming in and wish them a good afternoon, but the holiday greetings stay inside until prompted. See how easy it is to NOT offend anyone?)
Instead of continuing to rage about how horrible it is that "Christmas has changed," these people should slow down enough to see that they are the ones that are changing Christmas, and not for the better, might I add.
Because of the few that are encouraging the masses to "fight the war on Christmas," many people come to see the holiday season as a stressful time, full of bitter and hateful feelings, and that is NOT what this time of year is about, regardless of whether you are a Christian or not. But Christians, even more so, should see that their spiteful sayings are only stirring up more trouble, and not helping things in the least. Instead of spitting out, "It's Merry Christmas!!" when an employee offers a cheerful holiday greeting, perhaps accept the warm gesture and return it in your own way? Christmas is about sharing, giving, and loving, not about being louder than everyone else in an effort to prove that you're right and they're wrong.
I feel compelled to ask that those currently involved in the "war on Christmas" turn in a new direction, and fight the war on Christmas. No, I don't mean continue to pound catchy rebellious sayings into the heathens around you. Those "heathens" are celebrating this time of year, too. Instead, fight the urge to be self-righteous. Fight the rage that wells up inside of you when the TV news tells you that you should boycott a store because they "don't say Merry Christmas." Fight the ludicrous notion that there is something to fight about in the first place!
Replace this "war on Christmas" with the "Warmth of Christmas." Do something nice for someone - even if they don't believe the same as you do. By making kind gestures you are also sharing the love of Christ with others - and if you truly believe that Jesus is the reason for this season, your kindness and generosity will show that reason much better than a catchy slogan ever could. Take time this holiday season to reach out to others in your community - and don't pick and choose based on what other people believe. Show everyone God's love this Christmas - and continue on into the new year. You'd be amazed at how many lives that will change... including your own.
It's a wonderful feeling
Feel the love in the room
From the floor to the ceiling
It's that time of year
Christmastime is here
And with the blessings from above
God sends you his love
And everything's okay
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays
(Lyrics censored for radio broadcast from "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" by *NSYNC, Home For Christmas 1998)