Come this time of year, we often hear from some Christians that if the non birthday fans want a Christ free holiday saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, then they should go and make one of their own. Well, I believe they already had before the more recent addons. It involves Santa and trees and glitter and shopping and turkey and so on. Just as Christmas was overlaid 1700 odd years ago onto a pagan festival to bring the pagans to the new state religion, this new holiday of theirs has been overlaid onto the Christian one; even giving non-Christians the day off for the same purpose... to bring Christian and non-Christian alike to the worldly celebration of commerce. It's kind of run full circle, and we (secular and Christian alike) are back to celebrating a pagan holiday again, now to the god of commerce, regardless of those of us who also while shopping, hold true to Jesus and His birth.
Some will say that at least the spirit of giving resembles what Jesus taught us to do for each other. The three wise men sealed the deal. First of all I would say, did Jesus teach to give 'things' or to give of ourselves to others in need? Did the Way give socks and ties to new members and each other, carving toys for their kids? As for the three wise men, that is a tradition that has no scriptural backing other than reference to three presents and wise men. A Christmassy story of kings coming to a stable representing kings bowing to a King. No mention of how many wise men, whether it was two, three or a whole herd. Nothing in scripture about them coming to a stable either. No mention of whether they pooled their money for the gesture of three gifts, they represented a conglomerate, or whether they had re-gifted. No mention of how the loot was used either. Covering expenses for the trip to Egypt until Herod died and then the train fare back? Lost it in a ponzi scheme? Who knows? Nothing scriptural. All else is opinion.
But back to the topic. Let us consider that humbuggers are a secular necessity at Christmastime. Whether they come wrapped up as a fruitcake or come down the chimney, the object is to see who can break him/her of their Christmas birth negativity. In effect then, the true spirit of giving from the heart and dealing with others on a personal level will be achieved, rather than by way of their usual habitat of neckties or socks.
Many retail stores today are putting the Merry CHRISTmas back into their holiday marketing after the complaints from years past. As long as it brings in the cash, well then why not, right? So the businesses are happy to bring in the customer and the Christmas huggers themselves then feel good about a retro name change reflecting the birthday of the Christ while they run up personal debt. Besides, let us consider. Why shouldn't those getting a free holiday ride, even if they wish to ignore the birthday, at least be reminded of the fact of why they landed this winter holiday. I don't see them turning it down because it is not politically correct as would normally be the case. Haven't heard cries from the cancel culture to cancel the day off. Saying Merry Christmas still hasn't put the reason back into the season but nobody cares about THAT trivial fact. As usual, this was a dispute over rights, not reasons.
I say if a department store wants to say Season's Greetings or Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, so what? The madness of shopping for the 25th is a secular tradition, not a Christian one, so why the fuss and the boycotts? Retailers and the like can call it what they want. But yes, it's a double edged sword. Seems to me the Christ might be a little concerned about having His name used to boost profits, specially when there is no peace and goodwill in the dog eat dog culture of the money changers. Do Christians really need a retailer to teach their children the meaning of Christmas by using a name? Let them learn and see there are two points of view showing why there is a world with its ways, and why there is an alternate Kingdom of opposing values to choose over.
Actually, when you think about it, perhaps to avoid confusion the non Christians should call it something other than using the word Christmas (like they wanted to do anyway before the flap over greetings). After all, if they are not going to celebrate it for it's intended purpose then maybe they are right and that they should have no license to use the name Christmas (nor the day off, but that's another story). Christmas is foremost a Christian holiday, not the cultural melting pot promoted to boost the economy. They've always wanted a Christmas II in July to boost profits. Here is their chance to migrate.
Christmas was made a legal holiday long before their over commercialized appearance, so who invited them to piggyback and change a religious tradition? Christians could move I suppose, but they did have dibs on the day. So why not simply pack up the traveling show and take the political correctness, decorations, sales and Santa, and go over to their warmer climate thus leaving these first season people alone with their traditional Christmas. Santa might actually enjoy a summer flight. If other beliefs or the retailers find it increasingly difficult to swarm a Christian religious holiday for profit or protest, why not then create an entirely new name and date to please themselves? Shoppers won't object. Better yet, if they think no longer piggybacking on a Christian religious holiday was a lost advantage financially in the move, why don't they try using one of the many non-Christian religious holidays for a while. Oh sorry. Would that offend? Would someone become uncomfortable?
But let's get one thing straight. They have the right to do what they want but they also have no right to try and eliminate Christmas and it's true meaning either in the name of intolerance, discrimination, or because they don't believe in anything but their own rights and themselves.
Those who are Christians have the right to celebrate the secular and the Christian versions together, or not to do so. So do all others. To each their own. No one will ever take the Christ out of Christmas as long as those who want it don't change their own minds. Are those who are Christians not secure enough in their own beliefs that they have to cram it down everyone else's throats too? A reminder that the same goes for all others with their own ideologies also.
If the non Christian society sees the Christ and Christmas as a threat, then I would be interested to know what it is that they really fear. That goes for the other way around also, when looking towards the secular. Furthermore, beyond the retailers and atheists, if some other religions or beliefs are feeling a little out of place at Christmas in a predominantly Christian country, perhaps they should remember the lands where other religions or beliefs dominate. Would we as Christians be allowed to cry discrimination in those lands in the season of their major religious or secular festivals? I doubt it, yet those who seemingly find offense at Christmas are still free to practice their beliefs here right along side the differing religions and beliefs that cohabitate. Be content with that. Embrace the diversity as you hope we here will do in return. I'm sure these people having concerns came here for reasons other than religious ones.
We've all come from somewhere and we for the most part (except those who have brought homeland politics) have hopefully learned to live in generic oneness while maintaining our individual cultural heritages. Regardless, it's Christmas! Let everyone feel at peace with their own beliefs, traditions and each other as was the original intention. Everyone wins at Christmas. To those who still have a problem with that, well... have a happy statutory holiday compliments of the Christ. Merry Christmas!
©... timothyu
Some will say that at least the spirit of giving resembles what Jesus taught us to do for each other. The three wise men sealed the deal. First of all I would say, did Jesus teach to give 'things' or to give of ourselves to others in need? Did the Way give socks and ties to new members and each other, carving toys for their kids? As for the three wise men, that is a tradition that has no scriptural backing other than reference to three presents and wise men. A Christmassy story of kings coming to a stable representing kings bowing to a King. No mention of how many wise men, whether it was two, three or a whole herd. Nothing in scripture about them coming to a stable either. No mention of whether they pooled their money for the gesture of three gifts, they represented a conglomerate, or whether they had re-gifted. No mention of how the loot was used either. Covering expenses for the trip to Egypt until Herod died and then the train fare back? Lost it in a ponzi scheme? Who knows? Nothing scriptural. All else is opinion.
But back to the topic. Let us consider that humbuggers are a secular necessity at Christmastime. Whether they come wrapped up as a fruitcake or come down the chimney, the object is to see who can break him/her of their Christmas birth negativity. In effect then, the true spirit of giving from the heart and dealing with others on a personal level will be achieved, rather than by way of their usual habitat of neckties or socks.
Many retail stores today are putting the Merry CHRISTmas back into their holiday marketing after the complaints from years past. As long as it brings in the cash, well then why not, right? So the businesses are happy to bring in the customer and the Christmas huggers themselves then feel good about a retro name change reflecting the birthday of the Christ while they run up personal debt. Besides, let us consider. Why shouldn't those getting a free holiday ride, even if they wish to ignore the birthday, at least be reminded of the fact of why they landed this winter holiday. I don't see them turning it down because it is not politically correct as would normally be the case. Haven't heard cries from the cancel culture to cancel the day off. Saying Merry Christmas still hasn't put the reason back into the season but nobody cares about THAT trivial fact. As usual, this was a dispute over rights, not reasons.
I say if a department store wants to say Season's Greetings or Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, so what? The madness of shopping for the 25th is a secular tradition, not a Christian one, so why the fuss and the boycotts? Retailers and the like can call it what they want. But yes, it's a double edged sword. Seems to me the Christ might be a little concerned about having His name used to boost profits, specially when there is no peace and goodwill in the dog eat dog culture of the money changers. Do Christians really need a retailer to teach their children the meaning of Christmas by using a name? Let them learn and see there are two points of view showing why there is a world with its ways, and why there is an alternate Kingdom of opposing values to choose over.
Actually, when you think about it, perhaps to avoid confusion the non Christians should call it something other than using the word Christmas (like they wanted to do anyway before the flap over greetings). After all, if they are not going to celebrate it for it's intended purpose then maybe they are right and that they should have no license to use the name Christmas (nor the day off, but that's another story). Christmas is foremost a Christian holiday, not the cultural melting pot promoted to boost the economy. They've always wanted a Christmas II in July to boost profits. Here is their chance to migrate.
Christmas was made a legal holiday long before their over commercialized appearance, so who invited them to piggyback and change a religious tradition? Christians could move I suppose, but they did have dibs on the day. So why not simply pack up the traveling show and take the political correctness, decorations, sales and Santa, and go over to their warmer climate thus leaving these first season people alone with their traditional Christmas. Santa might actually enjoy a summer flight. If other beliefs or the retailers find it increasingly difficult to swarm a Christian religious holiday for profit or protest, why not then create an entirely new name and date to please themselves? Shoppers won't object. Better yet, if they think no longer piggybacking on a Christian religious holiday was a lost advantage financially in the move, why don't they try using one of the many non-Christian religious holidays for a while. Oh sorry. Would that offend? Would someone become uncomfortable?
But let's get one thing straight. They have the right to do what they want but they also have no right to try and eliminate Christmas and it's true meaning either in the name of intolerance, discrimination, or because they don't believe in anything but their own rights and themselves.
Those who are Christians have the right to celebrate the secular and the Christian versions together, or not to do so. So do all others. To each their own. No one will ever take the Christ out of Christmas as long as those who want it don't change their own minds. Are those who are Christians not secure enough in their own beliefs that they have to cram it down everyone else's throats too? A reminder that the same goes for all others with their own ideologies also.
If the non Christian society sees the Christ and Christmas as a threat, then I would be interested to know what it is that they really fear. That goes for the other way around also, when looking towards the secular. Furthermore, beyond the retailers and atheists, if some other religions or beliefs are feeling a little out of place at Christmas in a predominantly Christian country, perhaps they should remember the lands where other religions or beliefs dominate. Would we as Christians be allowed to cry discrimination in those lands in the season of their major religious or secular festivals? I doubt it, yet those who seemingly find offense at Christmas are still free to practice their beliefs here right along side the differing religions and beliefs that cohabitate. Be content with that. Embrace the diversity as you hope we here will do in return. I'm sure these people having concerns came here for reasons other than religious ones.
We've all come from somewhere and we for the most part (except those who have brought homeland politics) have hopefully learned to live in generic oneness while maintaining our individual cultural heritages. Regardless, it's Christmas! Let everyone feel at peace with their own beliefs, traditions and each other as was the original intention. Everyone wins at Christmas. To those who still have a problem with that, well... have a happy statutory holiday compliments of the Christ. Merry Christmas!
©... timothyu
