We live in a culture of controversies. Everything today is controversial or has the potential to become controversial. Political correctness has moved like a virus through the culture, infecting normally reasonable people with a madness that is, well, maddening.
The latest controversy is over the term “Merry Christmas.” Even Ebenezer Scrooge would find the ACLU’s position a bit over the edge. Rather than just say, “Bah, humbug,” and move on, some in our culture want every mention of Christmas banished from the light of day. Everywhere Christmas is traditionally acknowledged, that acknowledgment is now being challenged as being insensitive to some people’s religious sensitivities.
So what to do about the massive assault on Christmas? As for me and my house, we will have an intentional Merry Christmas. Recently, when I was out doing some Christmas shopping, I was greeted by several store employees with a perky, “Happy Holidays!” My response was to immediately say, “No, Merry Christmas!” Sometimes I received a knowing smile and a quick “Merry Christmas” in return. Sometimes I got nothing more than a puzzled look or a steely eyed glare. Sometimes the person would look at me with that “oh, you are one of those” look. In each case, however, I succeeded in making my point, and I actually had two opportunities to discuss why I refused to settle for a cheery “Happy Holidays.”
Christmas is not about Santa Claus, having a happy holiday, or getting a warm “Season’s Greetings” from the manager of the local shopping mall. It is not about lights on the tree or candles in the window or Rudolph or Frosty. It is not merely “the holiday season” the “season to be jolly” or the “most wonderful time of the year.” It is day we celebrate the fact that a world that sat in darkness has seen a great light. It is the day we marvel at the fact that a virgin conceived and brought forth her first born Son, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger. It is the time of year when we remember that the hope of the world was announced from heaven with angels proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and good will toward men.”
Now, go have yourself an intentional Merry Christmas!