"War on Christmas"

I was watching a documentary last night called "Lord Save Us From Your Followers" (2008) with Dan Merchant and a segment in the documentary talked about this war on Christmas. I've also heard commedian Stephen Colbert talk at some length about the war on Christmas and as a Christian, when you hear a phrase like that, your ears perk up. In the film, Merchant went into a restaurant clearly decorated for Christmas: elves, greenery, a tree, lights, etc. In the segment, he had editors insert a "bleep" to censor anytime he or the receptionist said the word Christmas, Christ, or Jesus. You could say holiday, but that was it. Anything else, Merchant bleeped it out.

It's interesting to think about how saying Merry Christmas is offensive in some circles. I've never said Merry Christmas to someone and had them turn on me with smoke coming out of their ears. I'm sensitive to the fact that not everyone is a Christian, but whenever someone answers me with a calm, "I'm Jewish" I can answer back with a smile, "Happy Hanukkah" and they appreciate that. It's very calm, very festive, and not a big deal.

In the retail place I was working in before going into ministry, we sold all kinds of holiday decorations (we were a party retail store) and in the last couple of years, I've noticed more and more Santa decorations and fewer and fewer Christian-themed decorations. In fact the only religious-themed Christmas deco we carried last year were clearance items left over for the year before; nothing new came in at all if it was a religious theme. It all seems really strange to me because we had four whole aisles dedicated to Christmas and only an eight-foot section set aside for Hanukkah. We had nothing for Kwanza. If you go into the mall, you see Christmas trees in the large hallways and in most of the department stores. There are Christmas balls hanging from the ceiling and Christmas music playing over the intercom system. I never hear Hanukkah music playing over the intercom. If I say Merry Christmas to someone and it offends them, it's only because most places have taught us that the only holiday that really counts this time of the year is Christmas. And you can't say you're not decorating for Christmas when clearly -- and big surprise here, the Jewish folks know what 'Santa Baby" is really all about -- you are decorating for Christmas. Own what you're doing.

In a religiously pluralistic society, it's hard to think about how we go about celebrating the holidays without offending our neighbors. I think we've gotten to a point where we've taken things a step further than the need to go. Where do you draw the line between what religious imagery is acceptable and what isn't? Christmas is a holiday that celebrates the anniversary of the birth of our Savior. Santa Claus is just extra, but we've gotten to a place where more people associate Christmas with Santa than they do with Christ. Isn't it interesting?

And here I have to get on my soap box for a sentence or two: If my Merry Christmas offends you, you're too sensitive. I respect your right to believe in what you want or to not believe in what you want, but it's about give and take: you have to respect me, too, for what I believe in.

In the small town where I live, down on the square there is a large nativity scene and Christmas decorations. The signs on the lampposts say "Merry Christmas." The store fronts are all decorated for Christmas. I have yet to see anything decorated for Hanukkah and I'm sure I won't see anything decorated for Kwanza. Isn't it interesting? Is it wrong to put a nativity scene in a public square if it's sponsored by the chamber of commerce? Maybe. I have to admit, I'm not really sure. I think it's an interesting question. I haven't heard anyone speaking up in favor of taking it apart in the interest of religious sensitivity, and I suspect in this small town, I won't.

I don't necessarily think "War on Christmas" is the right term. I think what we have is a changing society that has moved towards a place where we are sensitive to our religious differences. I don't think that's inherently a bad thing. What I do think is dangerous is for Christians to get so wrapped up in the consumerism of the holiday that they forget the reason for the season. As a Christian, I'm going to continue to wish people a Merry Christmas because I claim my faith. And like I said, if someone tells me they don't celebrate Christmas, I look at that as opening up a line for conversation.

Ask what they do celebrate. If they don't celebrate anything, tell them you wish them a merry winter. We have to stop getting offended so easily by little things. We have to learn to be accepting and loving of each other without shoving our values down someone else's throat. But we also have to be willing to claim our faith as our own and live like we believe it.

One of the conclusions Merchant came to in his film is that if people are sketchy about Christians, it's because Christians have maimed their ability -- maimed, not lost -- to engage in effective conversation about their faith. Merchant discovered that non-Christians have an easier time talking about the Christian faith than Christians have talking about the Christian faith. What's wrong with this picture?

If we're going to reflect the light of Christ in this season, we need to do it with grace. Proceed with grace in everything you do, as God showed his grace to us. That's what this season is about: recognizing the brilliance of God's plan and the beauty of the grace that God gave to us freely in His Son Jesus Christ. It's about meeting the season with anticipation and a heart that is waiting and listening for Christ. We are all to be innkeepers, preparing room in our hearts and thoughts for the Lord. As you go through the advent season, may you feel yourself bathed in the warmth and light of Christ. May He make you bold to own your faith and wish people a Merry Christmas because that's what you celebrate. Don't censor Jesus Christ. Own it.

Merry Christmas,
Pastor Becki