Ho Ho Hold on a Second: “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays”?
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Thu, December 08, 2005
- Viewed 37
- (88) comments so far
Mark Waltz does a masterful job of tackling the whole "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays" debate that is raging this year. I always enjoy Mark's blog; and encourage you to add it to your 'must-read' list... Mark is one of the pastors at Granger Community Church in Granger, IN. Mark writes:
The whole “holiday vs. Christmas” debate gets under my skin. I’m tired of the rhetoric.
If Christ-followers are going to enter the conversation, let's at least do so in an informed manner. The last thing people in our culture need are Christ-followers who discredit themselves, their argument and their God by being uninformed about history and the celebration we embrace called, Christmas.
I wish we Christ-followers wouldn’t get so worked up about whether our kids have Christmas break or a winter holiday break. Labels aren’t the point. Jesus is. Nobody is taking away our ability to honor Christ in our lives.
For instance, Easter was celebrated in the early days of the Early Church, not Christmas. Late December holidays were celebrated by Europeans and others before there was ever a “Christmas”. Seems that Pope Julius I decided to mark the Christmas holiday on December 25 (since the Bible is silent about the time of year) as an alternative to the cultural debauchery associated with society's year-end party. Throughout the 5th – 8th centuries the custom spread from Poland to England.This time of year was chosen by the Pope in an effort to absorb the debauchery that marked the pagan celebrations in December. Christmas is a Christian holiday – established in contrast to other celebrations that honored pagan gods that Christ-followers didn’t trust.
In America the Puritans wanted nothing to do with the pagan holiday, so it was actually outlawed in Boston from 1659 – 1681. In fact the first Christmas after the declaration of America’s freedom, Congress was in session on December 25th. It wasn’t until 1870 that Christmas was declared a recognized holiday in America.
So, too often many Christ-followers in unintended error and ignorance, get worked up about the pagans in our “God-fearing” country taking away our religious, Christ-centered Christmas and replacing it with “holiday”.
My point? Our job is and always has been to live as the light of the world within our culture. Our job has never been to “Christianize” America or the world through political, legal or otherwise forced strategies. The church of Christ and his followers will always have Christmas. We do recognize the Christ - the one true God.
So, light the tree! Sing a carol! Read the Christmas narrative! Send cards that celebrate the Christ-child and God's kingdom on earth. Immanuel - He's here... whether our neighbors say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays".
I'm grateful for Rob Bell's (he's not the first and only one to point this out, but he says it well) take on Immanuel in chapter 3 of his book, Velvet Elvis. It's the same point that our weekend series "Pop Spirituality" celebrated a year and a half ago. Signs of Jesus are all around us. Joy, laughter, giving, and love all mark the presence of our Christ – whether those experiencing life and relationships acknowledge him or not. Our call, our privilege is to point to the Light - wherever He is... whether it's a holiday or Christmas.
He’s here. In every "here". "God with us ... Immanuel."
Enter the dialog. But, do so informed. Do so with respect for people. Because people still matter to the God we celebrate on December 25th.
Comments
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Wendi on Mon, December 12, 2005
Jade,
Perhaps your idea of responding to the GAP officials is better,
[Although I don’t agree with how these Christians are going about what they are saying, we do need to understand this is not just a holiday to people, this is a religious celebration and Christians take it very serious.]
I too wish that there were no challenges to the phrase “Merry Christmas” and the “Christmas Play” at school or saying the pledge of allegiance at school. But, thats the reality. What I have trouble connecting is how these things have anything to do with “converting everyone so that no one is left behind.” In fact, I think that sometimes we Christians confuse standing up for the “right” to practice our Christianity with our “responsibility” to communicate our Christianity. For example, if my child’s school decided to change the name of the Christmas Program to the Holiday Program, I think the Lord would prefer I use my time and influence building relationships with parents and teachers by volunteering and serving than wasting energy trying to get the name changed back. This seems a much better way to SHOW my Christianity and earn the right to talk about it. I can’t see how calling it a “Christmas” rather than “holiday” program helps bring anyone into the kingdom as you suggested. Hanukah does happen around the same time or year and frankly, I think we HAVE disrespected the Jewish kids. Theirs is a religious holiday too.
Sometimes I think American Christians think we are the chosen people. This is a democracy - not a theocracy. Despite the Christian influences in our heritage, we have never been a “Christian nation.” I just can’t see how fighting to keep the word “Christmas” in the public and secular arenas is part of how we live out the great commission. Does this make sense?
Wendi
ScottV on Mon, December 12, 2005
Jade,
Good point about my use of “embarrasment”. However, like you, I am passionate about my faith. I dont know if you have ever had the opportunity to sit with top executives at a secular company, but if you have, you would understand my point.
You mention “standing up” for the faith. And how would you suggest I have done that, or do that, as random inpersonal emails flood in over something that on the outside sounds “passionate”, but from a non-believer perspective, seems silly. Christ was never about big banners and great spam email campaigns. I believe you would agree that Christ about about being a light through actions, love, and showing God through our walk, not our talk.
So, did I stand up and announce to the executives that they were wrong and should recognize Christmas? No. But did I say anything negative to them about those emailing? No. I did say the following: “Sometimes us Believers spend too much time saying, instead of doing.”
I dont know if you or others on this post are Believers in leadership in business, if you are, maybe you have a perspective or thought process I am missing.
By the way Jade, I am thinking about what Christ is thinking. And I am passionate that Christ is thinking that our talk outweighs our walk, and that He never intented an “argument” would over-power His Death and Resurrection, to a point where non-believers are disgusted, annoyed, and disenchanted with these inpersonal emails.
So yes - I am thinking solely about what Jesus would have done, and wants me to do.
Jade on Tue, December 13, 2005
ScottV,
I am enjoying the debate. No I have never been with the big dogs, and I am onot impressed by it either. I see no honor in it and is cetainly in my mind nothing to brag about. As for the e-mails I think they are silly to, however I like their heart they are just going about it the wrong way.
Holiday as I said before definition is a day off. Is Christmas just a day off to you? All you had to do is say something like I said above. Explain that Christmas is improtant to the Christians and it is more than a holiday to us. They may have thought nothing of it and dismissed it but at least you tried. All you did was dismiss it like it is not important. As for earning a right to talk, people always respect a man who stands up for what they believe in. (Of course you need to do this in a respectful manner). When do you plan on getting to this the year 2030? Do you think you might have earned enough respect then?
Wendi,
No you are not making much sense to me, however judging from your response to me I am not making much sense to you. I could restate what I already said, but I believe I have stated my opinion and proven my point, if you do not agree that is ok. I think fighting for our rights as Christians has everything to do with the Great Commission. It is sad to see you don’t.
God has chosen everyone, but Jews, Muslims, Jehovah witnesses, do not claim the blood of Christ and therefore are lost. We have the truth and the Christmas story is part of that truth. Your statements remind me of whipped dog. We are not to just except things they way they are now but to change them! It is sad to see Christians just lay down and let them take Christ out of Christmas. I wish I could make this issue more important to you.
Both of you I have enjoyed the chance to share, and I meant no offense in any way I hope you take none. We should be able to disagree.
ScottV on Tue, December 13, 2005
Jade - agreed. Thanks for your thoughts on this one. I was wondering what both sides of the fence had to say on this topic.
One thought though… be careful to assume that I am bragging about being with the big dogs. Also, be careful to assume that I am not a light in my workplace… The focus of the post was never on my response to the execs… my life lives out my response to them, I hope.
Again, thanks for the thoughts. Merry Christmas. God bless you!
Wendi on Tue, December 13, 2005
With all due respect Jade, you have not proven a point anymore than I have. We’re both just expressing opinions here – and opinions are not provable facts.
And I hardly feel like a whipped dog (now you hoped I didn’t take offence, but that “whipped dog” comment was pretty offensive). Jade, I just feel that it is important to fight only those battles which will bring the greatest kingdom impact. In my opinion, criticizing and condemning public and secular organizations if they decide to use the word “holidays” instead of “Christmas” is not going to help anyone understand the redemptive purposes of the baby Jesus or lead one single individual into a saving relationship with Him.
In the fall 2004 issue of Leadership Journal Gordon Macdonald writes a great article called “Body Politics” about the issue of discernment over when and about what we should take a stand. He tells of his father saying to him once about a political bumper sticker on his car – “are you prepared to take a political position that will cause some people to stop listening to you when you preach the gospel?” I found that to be great advice.
If my child’s school changes the name of the Christmas program to the holiday program, I AM NOT willing to fight that battle and make the Jewish, Jehovah Witness, Muslim, etc. parents and teachers into my adversaries. I have made a conscious decision to avoid getting into such battles in the hopes of having coffee or watching soccer with such a parent someday, and that the HS will open the door to a relationship with great commission potential. I resist everything that might cause me to be perceived as a militant Christian who is always imposing my traditions and values on the world that isn’t interested. I am of the opinion that if I am characterized in that way, I cannot at the same time be characterized as gracious, caring, respectful and compassionate.
I’m not just accepting things as they are Jade, I’m just choosing a different approach to changing them.
Wendi
Franklin Reeves on Tue, December 13, 2005
I still do not see the fuss over what someone calls a tree.
If Christians are ashamed to mention His name and His words, “unless you repent you will perish, I am the way, the truth, and the life..” among just a few during the year to non-believers, why are we so mad the unbelieving, businessmen choose to leave Christmas out for one season of the year.
Julie on Wed, December 14, 2005
I do not care if Wal Mart, Target, Gap, etc. choose to wish me Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas. I do not look to them for my spiritual enrichment, and I certainly do not go looking for ways take offense where none is intended. The same goes for schools. This year my son is in a “winter pagent.” He’ll wear antlers and a red nose and belt out “Rudolph” with gusto. Its festive, he’s happy, I’ll get some video footage to cherish and smile over for years. It is not the schools responsiblity to teach the significance of Christmas to my son; it is mine.
Jade on Wed, December 14, 2005
Wendi,
Yep you took offense. None was meant. I do think you are taking things lying down. You might not, but I do. It is ok for us to disagree. As far as condeming goes, that is not what I am suggesting.
This is just one more area we as Chrisitans are letting go. When I said I proved my point I did not mean I won, only that I have backed up what I have said. I have presented proofs for it and there it is.
To others not just Wendi, Is this just a day off for us? Julie you should be said that your son can be in a Christmas play, and Franklin the fuss is over people turning in to a the celebration of our savior into a “Winter Holiday.” We should be concerned about all of this.
Do you guys not atleast think that it is said that it is Happy Holidays and not Merry Christmas anymore. Can you atleast care enough to say that? If not then we are far worse of than I thought. We Christians are asleep laying down on the job, and letting important thing slip away. All I am saying is we need to try.
And Wendi, the world might not be interested in Jesus, but they need Jesus and He is interested in Him. They need to now the reason for the season. And they can’t know if we let them take Christ out of Christmas. But don’t let yourself get uncomfortable at your soccer mom meetings. I would not want you to be unpopular with the PTA.
Jade on Wed, December 14, 2005
Oops I meant to say Jesus is interested in Them.
Jade
Wendi on Wed, December 14, 2005
Jade –
Nope, it does not bother me one single bit whether my kids program is a Christmas or Winter or Holiday program. I don’t think it matters to God either. I think He’d say, “don’t win the battle and lose the war.”
Christ isn’t “in” my Christmas because I get to use a word with his name in it. He’s in my Christmas because He’s in my life. And there are lots of people who toss around the word Christmas who don’t know Jesus from a hole in the wall, who certainly don’t have Christ in Christmas.
I’m not worried about being uncomfortable at soccer mom meetings as you suggest (you used the word uncomfortable, I didn’t). I am worried however, that if I fight for my “right” to use the word Christmas at my public school, I will needlessly alienate the Jewish parents and sacrifice any future opportunity to talk with them about who Jesus really is. That is why I liked the Gordon Macdonald quote - “are you prepared to take a political position that will cause some people to stop listening to you when you preach the gospel?” I feel confident that God would say “I’d much rather you build a relationship than protect the word Christmas.”
So . . . another stab at my take on this.
Wendi
Jade on Thu, December 15, 2005
Wendi,
That makes me sad for you. Oh well, if you are content with your kids just celebrating a day off rather than the birth of Christ that is your business at least I tried.
I done.
Julie Bateman on Thu, December 15, 2005
The world will do what the world will do. Am I pleased about it? No. Am I going to rant at the world being worldly? No. I am going to remember that God is in control. I will enjoy my faith, my family, and my friends this season. And I will invite people in my circle of influence into our Christian Celebration…which has little to do with Wal Mart and K Mart and Gap. As for my impressionable son, his understanding of Christmas has little to do with what school calls the break and everything to do with what we, as a believing family, do with the vacation!
Jade on Thu, December 15, 2005
“The world will do what the world will do” And you don’t care?
Evangelist Jeff on Thu, December 15, 2005
I reckon I am worldy then. We have lights up around the house, a decorated tree in the yard, and a christmas tree in the house. My son will be in a Christmas play at church and at school. We are also going to do the MayBerry Christmas story too. I seen this several years ago and boy it was good.
Jade on Thu, December 15, 2005
Jeff,
What are you talking about? No one said anything about any body being wordly.
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