Putting Christ Back into Christmas
Year by year we either hear of or even experience it ourselves, where Christ is elminated actively or passively from Christmas celebrations.
On Catholic Exchange yesterday it was reported that as a Jewish person was skating at a public rink, a government employee summoned a policeman to silence a group singing Christmas carols nearby. This action was instituted to ensure that Christian songs would not be offensive to the Jew. No surprise that the Jew wasn’t offended in the least bit. No guesses that it was the government employee who took offense to the carols - or rather to the Christian element in Chirstmas.
In the company I work for, which is European owned, I received an email memo providing us the itineraries of HQ staff during the “winter holidays”! It’s no more Christmas season or holidays even. Last year we received a similar titled memo and just before Christmas our President wished us via mail a “Very Merry Christmas”. It’s interesting that his secretary omitted Christmas but Mr. President was unabashed about the reason for the holidays.
The nadir of this ridiculous attitude towards tolerance or trying to be be inclusive is when fellow Christians, who know we are Christians, wish us “Happy Holidays”, instead of Merry Christmas.
The only way for us Christians who wish to put Christ back into Christmas, at least with regards to greetings, is to practise the following:
- to be very, very conscious and wish everyone we know who is Christian with an effusive “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Christmas”. Avoid at all costs the secular, “Happy Holidays”.
- wish Christians only from Christmas day till Nativity. Avoid greetings in advance if we are able to contact them via email, SMS, voicemail or phone within this period.
- when we wish, wish exuberantly as this reflects our belief that we are rejoicing with our Saviour on His birthday.
- do not be afraid to wish Christians enthusiastically because of the false notion that the non-Christians within ear-shot will be offended. Are we embarrassed to wish birthday greetings to someone because others within the vicinity are not celebrating their birthday on that day?!
On Yahoo! Answers, over the last week there has been a discussion raging on whether Christmas should be called something else. It’s heartening that even many secularists contend that if it’s called something else it won’t feel the same anymore. Many have actually defended that it’s a Christian festival that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and should remain.
What is the worst outcome if we wish a blessed Christmas to non-Christians unknowingly? My experience has been that they will politely wish you back and state that they are not Christians.
So go ahead and wish anyone you wish to and get Christ back into the season. This should be our exercise of affirmative action.
I shall wish you on Christmas Day!
