I’m not talking about the people who declaim, “Happy Holidays” and/or “Season’s Greetings.” They typically seem sincere in their well-wishes, eager to please, slow to take offense.
But, oh, their counterparts. I’m talking about those mirthless messengers of “Merry Christmas” who demand strict and absolute reciprocity. They’ve just about jammed the joy out of Jesus. Yanked the yippee out of the yuletide. And, although they would be shocked to hear it, crowded the Christ out of Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you
Before we go on, you should know where I stand: I’m a “Merry Christmas” guy. That’s how I greet people this time of year. As a Christian, I’m celebrating Jesus’ birth. So, this is a merry season for me, and I wish that kind of joy and gladness for others, whatever their spiritual pilgrimage. I hope I always bestow “Merry Christmas” sincerely and with goodwill. I want those who do not share my beliefs to know I truly wish them merriment and happiness. And I want those for whom this time of year brings sorrow to sense Jesus’ loving presence.
At the same time, I take no offense from those who greet me with “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings.” Some hold other beliefs about Jesus, and wishing me merriment on his birthday would conflict their consciences. I shouldn’t expect them to urge me to enjoy my Savior’s birthday any more than I would expect to greet them with faith-specific salutations of Rosh Hashanah, Ramadan, Navaratra Dashara or Bodhi Day.
Likewise, I understand merchants, service organizations and government agencies count constituents not only among Christians, but also Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and people of other faiths and no faith. Even though most claim to be Christian, I shouldn’t expect them to cater to us at the expense of others. “Happy Holidays” is generic, but that does not negate its generosity.
Just when you think it can’t get worse …
As we approached Christmas, I hoped the quality of our communal conversations would be civil, if not downright kind. With wars, unemployment, a sagging economy, government stagnation, mine explosions and other calamity, this year seems like a good time to call a truce to the Christmas battle in the culture war.
Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays
But don’t you know, a new website exploits seasonal hostility, emotional insecurity and Christian entitlement. It’s an online watering hole, where the easily offended can gather to lick their wounds and lament the loss of yore. It’s a place to lambaste businesses and organizations that emphasize the “Holidays” instead of Christmas, label them “naughty,” not “nice,” and compare them to Dr. Seuss’ great green goblin, the Grinch.
Sadly, but not surprisingly, this site is sponsored by a church. So, in the name of the Christ whose birth we celebrate, Christians criticize and ridicule others who don’t celebrate the season their way. Unfortunately, they can’t extract the sugarplum from another’s eye because they have a yule log in their own.
What’s wrong with this picture?
The Say-“Merry-Christmas”-Or-Else crowd’s approach to this holy holiday is wrong for at least three reasons.
First, it contradicts the real reason for the season. Traditionally, Christians have said Jesus was born in Bethlehem because “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” At Christmas, Christians should reflect God’s sacrificial love for the world, not go around looking for a fight.
Second, it’s just plain hypocritical. I read many of the comments on the naughty-or-nice website. It’s obvious many Christians say “Merry Christmas” as a litmus test, not as a sincere expression of joy and gladness. They’re saying it to see if the other person will respond appropriately. If I say, “Merry Christmas” to you, and you reply, “Happy Holidays” to me, then I can puff up with righteous indignation, boycott your business and tell all my friends and neighbors what rotten scum you are—all in the “spirit” of Christmas. If you don’t sincerely wish merriment when you say the words, then you’re just a hypocrite.
Third, and finally, it’s counter-productive. A pitched battle over two-word phrases only pushes people away from Jesus. Did Jesus come to Earth so his followers could feel superior to anyone who doesn’t say his name right? Did he die for souls so those who accept redemption can exercise anger at, rather than agony for, those who have not receive such a great gift of grace? Of course not.
Grace, not anger
Why not lighten up this Christmas. Wish friends, neighbors, store clerks, government workers, shop owners and people on the street a Merry Christmas. Mean it. Say it with a smile on your face and love in your heart. And don’t get overwrought with how they respond.
Perhaps our gentle spirits—instead of our combative shouts—can gently encourage people to consider the love that brought a Baby to a Judean manger. And perhaps he will become their Savior, too.
Merry Christmas.
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.