“Keep Christ in Christmas!”
“Jesus is the reason for the season!”
“It’s OK to say Merry Christmas!”
I get it. Faithful Christians (and even some of the “twice-a-year” variety) get frustrated and upset about greetings and wordings that avoid using “Christ” and “Jesus” or other spiritually significant phrases. So, they post comments like those above on their Facebook, on their cars, on their homes, etc. I don’t disagree with any of these statements but I wince just a little every time I see or hear these things. I understand the sentiment, but I’m not sure such platitudes do much positive good and, most likely, have more negative effect than positive when out in the public sector.
Let me explain…
I’ll be the first to agree that the deep meaning of the Christmas story has been overrun by plastic reindeer, sappy movies, frozen fruitcakes, cheesy Santas, multi-million dollar buying orgies and more! It’s disgusting and sad when taken to its extreme. Believe me, I am the first in line for the movement of simplifying and dialing down the consumer-centric Christmas season (along with the rest of life, while we’re at it), but it’s just not worth the effort to get all upset and offended at those who would rather say “Happy Holidays” or Season’s Greetings” than any of the other “Christ”-based salutations. It’s not helping the cause. In fact, it is likely creating even wider divisions…unnecessary divisions. The triumphant message of the messenger angels (Hark! The herald angels sing….) — “Peace on earth and good will to all people!” — is easily lost. And, unfortunately, it is we who have the most reason to sow peace and goodwill who are sometimes the biggest sowers of discord.
Ok, I got a little distracted there. Let me explain more by sharing 8 reasons NOT to obsess about the ways that people greet us during this season of the year and to stop demanding that we “get our holiday back.”
1. “Season’s greetings,” refers to that broad expanse of time from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. Multiple religions and faith-systems have sacred and/or important days during this time of the year. If anything the ancient pagans who celebrated pagan gods on December 25 long before Christ was even born should be demanding back their hijacked “holy-day.” Saying “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Holidays” is not anti-Jesus.
2. Christians are not the only people of faith who celebrate a high holy day around the winter solstice. Christianity (especially the Western brand) suffers from a regrettable lack of global awareness. “Happy Holidays” literally means “Happy holy days” and should be recognized as an acknowledging that some of our neighbors–and maybe even some of our friends and relatives–are also in the midst of living their faith. Again, December 25 and the surrounding days are not the possession of Christianity. For 300 years the church never celebrated Christmas and endured unimaginable persecution, yet grew to the point that it outlived the “unconquerable” Roman Empire. We have no reason to expect those on the “outside” to give these days the same importance as the “insiders.” We certainly don’t do the same on their sacred days.
3. “Xmas” is not a dirty word. In fact, “X” is the Greek letter, Chi–which, in the “olden” days, was often used as a literary symbol for Christ. Of course, not everyone who uses this terminology is thinking about the Greek alphabet, but when you see it you can certainly read it that way. Again, we have no reason to expect those who don’t follow Christ to feel any reason to honor Christ in their holiday greetings. There is nothing wrong with a non-believer wishing a believer “Merry Christmas.” There is also nothing wrong with an unbeliever who feels uncomfortable using his name.
4. There is zero Biblical precedent for celebrating the birth of Christ (or any birthday for that matter). There is clear teaching, however, that self-indulgence is the essence of sin. We must be very careful that our remembrance of Christmas (in the midst of very secular celebrations and “seasonal activities”) doesn’t become all about me, or my family or my financial buying power. This is how we keep Christ in Christmas, should we choose to celebrate this very holy day. By keeping ourselves in Christ we keep him in celebration of Christmas (and every other day, too).
5. If you find yourself bothered by all the secular expressions posted around malls and big box stores this season, perhaps the best thing to do is just not spend so much time at the mall. Simplify. Give gifts of time and “experiences” rather than more “stuff.” If dealing with holiday crowds makes you uncomfortable then spend more time serving the poor, going to worship, getting out in nature, and spending time with the people you love. Jesus would be pleased, I think.
6. Life is too short to worry so much about what everyone else is saying and doing. We, as followers of Christ, are under the burden of respecting and honoring those different than us; displaying the fruit of the Spirit in our encounters with people–all people. Those who do not follow Christ are under no such faith obligation. As citizens of the USA we all have the responsibility to act civilly and with proper respect toward all fellow citizens. Like it or not, there is no law that demands the public use of the name “Christ.”
7. The best way to “keep Christ in Christmas” is to be “in Christ,” walking as Jesus walked. Jesus was all about the poor and week. He was all about feeding people. Jesus was all about healing and compassion. He found great pleasure in getting loud, sinful, mismatched people together around a table for a meal and some time hanging out. Not a moment of his life did he spend trying to get his name up on a sign. And when his name was written down and placed above his head, he was on the cross dying for the people who loved him and for those who had hung him there.
8. Finally, try something new this year. Give yourself the gift for a new friend and closer relationships with people. Do something special for those who don’t deserve anything or expect anything from you. Find a way to quietly bless those less fortunate. Babysit someone’s children for a night so they can go out and reconnect as a couple. Invite a new family in the community over for a meal. Show kindness in ways you might not otherwise think to do. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then perhaps imitation is also the best way to celebrate the life of Christ.
BONUS : During the holidays and special times that my friends of other faiths celebrate I try to be the first in line to give them an appropriate greeting. At Eid Mubarak I offer the expected and appropriate greeting. At Nyepi I give an appropriate greeting and respect the desire to “unplug” and spend the day in silent reflection. At Christmas I don’t expect or demand that my friends and neighbors give me any sort of Christmas greeting, but they often do. And sometimes they will ask me something about the meaning of Christmas. Why? Respect. I don’t care what someone calls the day. If they are asking what it’s all about or why my family has shown kindness on this day then it’s a win. Not everyone asks and some really don’t care. But some so notice and some do care.
Let’s face it, in much of the world the way that Christmas is celebrated has created a holiday much different than the Christ-centered, religious holiday for which you and I might hope. It has become “their” holiday. Rather than demand that they celebrate on your terms, enter into their celebrations as representatives of their Heavenly Father who loves them; be the Body of Christ–even the Christ child that laid in the manger waiting for his day to arrive–and create opportunities for meaningful interactions and authentic sharing.
~deil~
Elijah Stevens 