On which side do you place yourself in the “War against Christmas? This talk of aggression refers to the idea that Christmas, or the mention of Christmas, is being banned from the public sphere in favor of a nondescript “Happy Holidays.” Jon Stewart has had a good time mocking the whole idea, and if Christians are indeed making arguments like these, it’s hard to take any Christmas complaints seriously. Of all the messages that Jesus might want us to put on a billboard, “I miss hearing you say Merry Christmas,” is probably not a big contender. Especially since Christmas isn’t actually something he commanded us to celebrate, I seriously doubt that saying “Merry Christmas” is a big issue for Jesus. Given all the other things our faith has to contend with, this whole issue seems trivial. If our faith inspires us to do nothing more than boycott stores that say “Happy Holidays,” there’s not a lot of reason for the season, let alone Christianity.
Oh, before you choose sides, in good Anglican style, let me offer the third option. What about celebrating Christmas without worrying about what the stores (or anyone else) say? Advent Conspiracy is a Christian organization trying to reclaim Christmas as a time of giving and devotions (in other words, all the Advent stuff). Its leaders contend that the problem is about being able to celebrate Christmas in the mall; the problem is keeping the focus on the story of Christ and how that changes our world. Arguing against this call to boycott unless the retailers wished him Merry Christmas, one of the founding pastors, Rick McKinley from Portland put it bluntly: “that’s a very lame place for the Church to draw a line in the sand.” Christmas, so the argument goes, should not be about shopping anyway, so let’s get back to the real reason for the season. But are we missing an opportunity here, being so quiet about our Christmas celebration? Isn’t there a need for Christians to share the Good News? Might not Christmas be just such an opportunity?
So what do you think? Is there a way for Christians to publically celebrate the Good News of Christmas without being obnoxious? Should we be offended by Happy Holidays? What place should we demand in the public schools and parades? Any ideas about how can we best share our reason for the season?
Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? What say you?
2 Responses
I say “Merry Christmas” without much thought (unless I know they celebrate something else specific). I don't say it as an effort to make my position heard, it's just not a big deal. I honesty don't think it's offensive. What I think is interesting is that my non-Christian friends offer me a Merry Christmas while I offer them a Happy Hanukkah. I think the mutual respect is really cool.
Do you remember the rubber bracelets that people used to wear with the initials: WWJD—which meant “what would Jesus do?” I always found that amazingly presumptuous that someone would think they would know what the Savior of the world was thinking and would do (likely it would parallel what the person asking the question would do!) In some ways, this “Jesus is the reason for the season” and being mad about how people refer to the holidays is like: WWJD. I agree with Meg that Jesus wouldn't make as big a deal out of it as we seem to be doing.Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays or Happy Hanukkah is more preferable to me than “Have a good one” (a good what?)