Merry Christmas!
Note: This was originally posted on Dec 25th, however due to some technical issues with my website host it got lost in the shuffle. I didn’t realize it until now.
Merry Christmas! And I am not ashamed to say it!
Much has been made in some media outlets this month about the ridiculous shunning of the phrase “Merry Christmas” in corporate America and retail outlets nationwide. It must say its about time this really was made a focus nationally. Replacing the phrase Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays, Season’ Greetings, Winter Holiday, X-mas, Festivus, etc has become more widespread in the past 10-15 years. This is a shame as it is hiding the true reason for this holiday. I find it ironic that this trend has spread, yet most everyone in the country has this day off of work and 98% of businesses are closed. These are the same business and companies that forbid using the word Christmas.
Although this is the case, I am not surprised. Our culture had become increasing hostile toward anything referring to Jesus Christ. This is sad to see, however as a Christian I expect that many elements of this world will be hostile towards anything related to Christ. Despite the culture drifting away from a Christ-centered life, the great thing to know is the Lord God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. And on this day when we celebrate Jesus’ birth, it is reassuring to know that He will never sway in the turbulence of today’s culture, offering everyone mercy, forgiveness and redemption from sin through Him.
Merry Christmas!
January 7th, 2006 21:37
Down here in the Bible belt-like South, people were saying, “Merry Christmas!” but meaning, “Don’t ‘Happy Holidays’ me!” It was almost like a Seinfeld episode–picture Elaine saying “Merry Christmas” and then looking askance with wide eyes to see what Jerry says in response–made me a little embarrassed as a Christian. The Kiwanis Club even put up billboards (yes, plural) saying, “Keep Christ in Christmas.”
I agree that Christ is being edged out of society, but it’s inevitable, and frankly, I welcome it. Go to hell in a handbasket, society. Then Jesus will come back sooner. Is that a bad attitude?
June 1st, 2006 19:58
Oh, and X-mas used to really get me until I was around seminary students who routinely used X in place of “Christ” in their seminary class notes. I inquired about the sacrilege and obvious irony, and they told me that long ago and far away X was an appropriate abbreviation for Christ, something from the icthus (IXOYS) fish thing. Now it doesn’t bother me and I feel like I’m in on a secret code.