Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas!

I posted the following question on my Facebook status update along with asking it on Twitter.

“Why do we (when I say “we” I mean those who are Christ-followers) expect non-Christian companies or people to say Merry Christmas?”

I have to honestly say that I really do not care if I go to Walmart and the cashier wishes me a “Happy Holidays” instead of wishing me a “Merry Christmas”. In the grand scheme of things it really doesn’t matter. Not too mention that somehow I am thinking that it really doesn’t spread the hope, peace, joy and love of the Christmas Advent when we shout back at that person, “IT’S MERRY CHRISTMAS NOT HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!” Can you honestly say that you think that is how Christ would have us respond?

I believe that if Jesus was walking through Walmart and had the same encounter that He would say thank you. That should be our very same response if we are truly Christ-followers.

This week we are focusing on peace in the Advent season and I want to do what I can to show the peace of God here on this earth as much as I can. So instead of getting all upset and in a rage I would rather sow seeds of peace.

I also find it funny that in 1966 CBS aired an ad like this….


And people thought back then that it was okay. Now suddenly saying things like “Season’s Greetings” or “Happy Holidays” is bad. Why the difference? I know that some would say that they feel that our government and society was more “christian” then and it isn’t anymore. But I disagree. I don’t think that there should be any difference at all. Besides the word holiday comes from the words “holy” and “day” being mashed together.

So let’s make sure that we actually make it a MERRY Christmas or a HAPPY Holiday in how we respond.

My prayer is that Christ-followers would grasp a hold of the hope of the coming of Christ as we celebrate Jesus’ birth. That we would find ways to sow peace in our world and especially everywhere that we go. That love would be the greatest thing in our lives. And, lastly, that we would share the joy of the Savior with our friends and family.

I am a follower of Jesus, a husband to Kim, father to Hannah & Caleb, and the connections pastor at The River Church. The thoughts expressed here are my own and not The River Church's.

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