I wasn’t going to write about this one. The Christmas season was going to come and go and I wasn’t even going to touch it. Like every fraternity at Samford University’s view of Freshman Jon Acuff, I was going to reject this.
Until I saw the billboard.
Sunday night, driving home from vacation with my family outside of Atlanta, GA, I saw a new billboard.
On a background of festive red, with big white letters I read a simple message:
I miss you saying “Merry Christmas.” – Jesus
And that’s when, much like the mafia, just when I thought I was out, they dragged me back into the conversation.
I don’t have a problem with that billboard, but there are three things it calls to mind:
1. We invented the phrase “Merry Christmas.”
I’ve only read the Bible from front to back one time. I read it a lot, but from a “read through it straight in 2 years point of view” I’ve only taken one spin. But when I did, I swear I couldn’t find the phrase, “Merry Christmas” anywhere. That billboard kind of makes it seem like Paul said that while he was making tents before he went on his wild missions. “Making tents on Christmas Eve. That is completely bogus. No one even said ‘Merry Christmas’ to me. All these heathen tent makers all say, ‘Happy Holidays.’ So whack.”
2. How do we know Jesus misses that?
Maybe he does. Maybe he doesn’t. I honestly don’t know. Maybe Jesus would say things like “I miss hearing you say, ‘Let’s play some Frisbee golf’” or “I miss hearing you say that you pre-ordered the ‘Stuff Christians Like
3. We would be upset if someone else quoted Jesus for their cause.
If some other group made a billboard that quoted Jesus and that quote was not solidly based in the Bible, we would go spider monkey crazy. (You might rock out squirrel monkey style, but that’s really a personal preference thing.) If someone, even just for emphasis, quoted Jesus as supporting their cause and it wasn’t straight up Bible, we would be straight up upset.
I will see that billboard everyday during my commute, but I’m at peace with it. And there’s a pretty simple reason – It’s not belligerent. I always get a little weirded out when people aggressively make the distinction between “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Holidays.” I completely understand the frustration with a culture that is actively and deliberately removing Christ at every given opportunity, but when we angrily say, “It’s ‘Merry Christmas, not happy holidays!’” we might as well say, “It’s ‘Merry Christmas,’ not happy holidays you jerk!” And that makes people want to celebrate winter solstice instead of whatever those grumpy, fight you on a vernacular level Christians are down with.
I promise.
Comments
So a group actually IS using Jesus for their cause: National Association of Latino Elected Official is encouraging people to take part in the 2010 census by reminding them that "This is how Jesus was born…Joseph and Mary participated in the Census." Here is a link to the poster and an article about it: http://usat.me/?37034002
Anyway…saying Happy Holidays doesn't bother me because it acknowledges the other nearby holidays that I celebrate (Thanksgiving, New Years) (plus I don't find it offensive if someone wants to celebrate Hanukkah) it's when someone deliberately replaces Christmas with "holiday" such as the "holiday tree" but even then, all I do is leave a post on a blog about it, so I guess it really doesn't bother me that much.
So what you're saying is, you DO have a problem with that billboard.
And I think that's okay! I totally agree with every point. Does that mean the people who designed and paid for the billboard are evil? No, they probably meant well. But you DO have a problem with the billboard's message, and so do I.
It seems to me that one thing Christians like is pretending we're not criticizing something when actually, we are. Just criticize. It's okay. It's not the same as bashing people.
I see both sides of the coin. I don't like Happy Holidays or Season's Greetings…i prefer Merry Christmas, and I use Merry Christmas. I am not offended by alternate statements, I just prefer to say Merry Christmas. I think I also know WHY some Christians are so militant about the Christmas thing…let's see, prayer has been taken out of school…there are people wanting to remove "under God" from the US Pledge of Allegiance and remove "In God We Trust"(great album)from your money. At some point I think a bunch of people just figured, enough already and don't want CHRIST taken out of CHRISTmas too!
Here's an example – at an office that I used to work at they put up signs saying Happy Hannukah, Blessed Eid, Happy Daiwali, Happy Kwanzaa, and Season's Greetings – but no Merry Christmas. They put up a tree but refused to allow us to call it a Christmas tree – it's a holiday tree. They set aside a room for the Muslims to pray five times a day in during Ramadan(this was a call center – never mind the 300 people waiting on hold – go pray) but I was not ALLOWED to say Merry Christmas because it might offend someone! At some point as Christians we have to take a stand.
I agree that this is a rather silly thing to take a stand over – but I admire that at least they've taken a stand.
Well, that is plainly absurd. The point is to honor each person's individual beliefs, not just the minority belief in any given room.
Absurd? Absolutely…but in my mind it's just an example of the slippery slope that we find ourselves on in the name of being "politcally correct." PC no longer means respect and honor for divergent beliefs and cultures…it means supression of the vast majority in an effort not to offend the minority. I personally have never has anyone of any faith get offended by my saying Merry Christmas. Most Muslims and Jews that I know think it is as ridiculous as i do that Christmas has been censored and secularized.
But really, hasn't Christmas been MUCH more securalized by the worship of Mammon and giveme givemes and the rush to buy the latest sweatshop toy from Walmart? Which is more against the spirit of Christ's birth; The fact that Christians are snapping at minimum wage workers or non believers for their greetingst that don't acknowledge a faith they may not share, as the Christian is stressed and rushing out to purchase goods, OR a person who may or may not be a Christian and will have no idea of your beliefs saying a religiously neutral phrase?
Hey the church is just as guilty in this whole thing for allowing Christmas to become so secularized. I have personally never snapped at anyone if they say Season's Greetings or Happy Holidays – nor would I. I don't expect people who DON'T know Christ to really do anything to honor Him at this time of year. I DO expect Christians to do it…if for no other reason than to remind ourselves of why we have a holiday on December 25. In all honesty when i do find myself getting angry in a long line at the mall or frustrated by my kids' ridiculously long wish lists – i really think that saying Merry Christmas to myself or someone else helps to remind me – and it helps me to calm down a bit.
HA!! You said just what I was thinking. I agree that it's absurd to censor practically everything Christian while bending over backwards for every religion/practice that's unChristian in the name of honoring personal beliefs.
Oh, that was the perfect Jon Acuff take on the whole issue.
Hubs and I've been saying to each other "Merry Happy!" which is a quote from last week's episode of Community. I mean, not that we go around quoting tv/movies more than the bible, no. That would be lame.
And while I'm quoting…here's the PC version of "Silent Night" that they sung on the show:
Sensible night, appropriate night
Snow on ground, left and right
Round yon purchase of decorative things
Tolerant rewrite of carols to sing
Function with relative ease,
Function with relative ease.
so since you referenced a show, can I also? I just watched last night's episode of Big Bang Theory and there was a humorous scene in the beginning where Sheldon explains Sir Isaac Newton's relation to Christmas. And then Leonard replies with "Merry Newton-mas"..that just may catch on
So today I was wished " a Blessed Christmas"! I loved it!
I am so with you, see I live in and around too many fundamentalists. so something that might have been a simple blow off, really gets to me. You may say this is the 'nice' way to call them out, but it is still calling them out. I try keeping my mouth shut or being "nice" but it seems to only get under my skin more.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Also, don't get offended when you see 'Merry X-mas' on a window or one of those bullitens with sliding numbers/letters. X=Christ. Literally. That is the exact meaning. You can remember that because it looks like a zoom-in of a cross tilted 45 degrees. So, therefore Merry X-mas!!!
I rarely ever comment, but today I have to because I am so relieved that someone has finally written something about "those" billboards. "They" yelled at us on behalf of God during our drive between South Bend and Chicago for years. Here are the ones I remember best:
"What part of 'Thou Shalt Not' didn't you understand" – God.
"You think it's hot here?" – God
"That 'Love thy neighbor thing' … I meant that" – God
My husband and I often discussed the pros and cons of this kind of signage on behalf of God. Apparently its a huge nationwide campaign. But, for my money, it's been the times God whispered rather than shouted that moved me most.
I actually agree and disagree with you at the same time. I'm dismayed at the lengths to which some people and organizations are going to make the Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays "thing" an issue. In the grand scheme of things it probably really doesn't matter that much what we choose to say to wish one another pleasant season-related greetings (hey, maybe that's a non-offensive alternative.). So those that are boycotting certain retail establishments, putting words in the Lord's mouth, and in general, making this THE issue to hang our hats on as Christians at Christmas are making a mistake of sorts.
However, I also know, without a doubt, that words have power and that maybe, just maybe, what WE choose to say does matter. The words we choose to use, or not use, make a difference and affect and determine the identity our culture carries forward. And, I do believe it is the case that more and more our culture is moving toward a Christ-free Christmas. Just in my lifetime, and I'm not THAT old, I have seen (no, heard) an important cultural shift. The words "Merry Christmas" have become, at best, politically incorrect, and at worst, an affront to or an attack on anyone who sees fit to be offended by them. Yes, I know the origins of the holiday. Yes, I know that its traditions are man-made. Yes, I know that the words "Merry Christmas" aren't in the Bible. But, they are important words that carry with them a great deal of meaning, identity, and shared cultural knowledge. Creating a holiday that allows us to remember the birth of our Savior and giving it a particular name is important. The Bible is filled with stories that tell us it's important to remember, that's it's important to develop traditions (like songs, poems, and even physical monuments) that jog our memories and draw us back to the Lord. So, when we change the language we use to remember, we very well may begin to remember differently.
Do I want to fight, kicking and screaming, about what you say to wish someone pleasant season-related greetings? Nope. Not really putting my best Christian foot forward. But, do I get why some folks are kicking and screaming? Yep.
Beth, that is a very well thought out post. And I think it describes the balance that Christians need to have. We don't need to be losing it when someone says the wrong greeting but we need to be aware of the culture shift that is there.
Thanks Carrie. Appreciate it.
I agree as far as OUR remembrance goes, and this is a very well thought out post for that point. But why should people who don't share the faith comply with remembering in the way you are talking about? The Bible doesn't say we are to strive for that, in fact it says the opposite.
Beth, I agree with you as far as remembering Jesus' birth as Christians. But unbelievers don't particularly care about remembering Christ's birth, so the words they use to remember would not necessarily be the same as ours. Honestly, I'm not sure it matters so much to God whether we say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays"; I think, however, that He cares much more about us loving our neighbors and how we show that love.
Luvs2Dance & me,
You're both right, I agree. And, that's part of the reason I said I agree with Jon. Forcing others, Christians or not, to say "Merry Christmas" is not okay, just as it is not okay for others to prevent us from saying it. My point was not that we should create forced compliance to a religious remembrance, as a matter of fact, I'm very much opposed to that in the reverse (e.g., organizations "forcing" employees to refrain from saying Merry Christmas). And, to believe that forced compliance would in any way be an appropriate, compassionate or effective witness to the faith is just silly.
Instead, my point was that language is important, especially within co-cultures that hold a set of beliefs, traditions, and remembrances and that we might need to think a bit longer and harder before choosing to change that language in the interest of political correctness, cultural awareness, inclusivity, or whatever postmodern buzz-word might be appropriate to insert here. I don't want to force anyone to say Merry Christmas, but I do want Christians to think about how and why they use it. It is, believe it or not, a witness. "Merry Christmas" can open doors, start conversations, create understanding, and plant seeds. And, I'm not really aware of any other words to remember the birth of Jesus that carry the same distinctly Christian meaning. The problem is "Merry Christmas" is becoming a "bad word". We begin to make the assumption that saying "Merry Christmas" can't possibly be the loving thing to say when wishing pleasant season-related greetings to someone who does not share my faith. And, I see Christians being much too willing to back away from "Merry Christmas" so as not to offend, even in situations where no offense would be taken. I am concerned that we are becoming a faith community marginalized by our own over-zealous fears about creating a positive impression. I do think we should work to create a positive impression, but heavens to betsy, we're working so hard to make others like us (and maybe, by default, like Jesus) that we might be in danger of doing the exact opposite. I know I tend to have very little time for someone whose opinions, beliefs, ideals, morals are harder to figure out than pinning jello to a wall. They're all waffl-y (to mix metaphors!). I do not want to be that person.
I do agree that God is not likely to prevent our admittance to heaven over our choice of Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, or Festivus for the rest of us for that matter. And I also agree that He definitely does care about the actions that indicate our faith. However, I do have a few small problems with this distinction. SAYING something is action, and so what we SAY can and does indicate our faith to the world, and can and does show love in very real ways every single day. And, SAYING Merry Christmas can be a starting place for indicating just how you intend to show that love.
In the end, you're right, they're just words and within a few days we'll stop saying them and won't likely think about this again until next year at this time. But, couldn't that be the perfect argument for why we need to continue saying it?
Well said!
I am SO over it this Christmas. My friend Scott wrote a really good article about people getting all riled up about "Xmas" versus "Christmas": http://www.scottcrews.com/2009/11/25/putting-chri...
Christians, we have other things to worry about than boycotting stores that make their employees say Happy Holidays. How about really SHOWING some Christmas spirit.
I can remember being a manager of a retail store at Christmastime a few years back. The company insisted that we were to answer the phone and greet people with "Happy Holidays". I can remember people getting really upset about it, as if I personally were single-handedly wringing the neck of Sweet Baby Jesus, while they wear wearing a Santa Claus sweater. I mean, I'm not gonna stand in judgement of an innocent non-advent sweater that you wear into my store by your own free-will that you picked for yourself this morning when you got dressed, so please, don't judge that I am submitting to the authority over me who mandated that I use a specific greeting– that means "holy day", by the way, and not "choke the Sweet Baby Jesus on His birthday"– and get your shoplifted panties in a wad.
Boy, there is a lot of negativity within the "church" community towards part of our cultural history and Christianity's supposed shortcomings during this season. You all need some Dinesh D'souza for the souls. Sorry, I find much of what you say to be funny John, but being a cynic here is a bit much. Socially, culturally, and economically this whole time of the year is tied to Christmas and the tradition of Christian belief. Your take is as poorly thought out as you claim the billboard is. Sorry bro, just have to call it the way it is on this one. And I am saddened that your political correctness on this issue is offended by the politically incorrect apparently offended billboard.
Hey and Merry Christmas…
Oh, I hope I didn't ruin the meaning of Christmas for ya… cynicism cynicism LOL.
Your method of engaging people is not the only way bro. I know Andy is a bud of yours, but the Hotlanta methods don't apply everywhere. And while I think more power to ya there, it only reaches a certain sub-group (yeah I have a degree in missions and have you read Dr. Rainer's study and Barna's study on how effective or lets be real, how ineffective friendship evangelism has been. Christian population has been shrinking since the advent of the Mega church. Things that make you go hmmm. Commercializing and branding Christianity…. Ouch). The church you belong to has caught the wave of American marketing and used that trend to try to reach people. Good for you. But that makes for a very odd blog about Merry Christmas bro. Think about it.
Yuppie middle class America are not the only people who need Christ. Yeah, I like Andy and I've been there and enjoyed worship. But, I've done missions in all different settings, both nationally and out of the States. I like Toby Mac's attitude about being a Jesus freak. I'd rather have more conversation with more people than less. A cup of coffee is great. And, most intelligent unbelievers would know the billboard is a tongue in cheek call to rethink what's going on.
Talk about a sideways blog.
I do love ya man, but I this one needed to be called in.
wow, perhaps that should have been said in a private email-bro
I disagree with Kelly. This is the kind of well thought out comment that makes this blog SO WONDERFUL.
Jon was able to express things that make me think about my reactions. Then many of the comments (especially James above) made me think even more and put things into a different perspective.
There are many ways to approach these subjects, and all of the participants MAKE IT BETTER, whether they agree or disagree and explain why – from their own unique perspective.
Razzle Dazzle, everyone!
I just have to say that I'm really confused by your comment. I guess I'm just not following what you are saying.
What do you mean you'd rather have a conversation with more people than less? And what about a cup of coffee?
This is a great example of Christmas Christian Hate Mail. It's got many elements of great hate mail and possibly some new ones. Because of my almost degree in Underwater Basket Weaving, I feel will give it a rating based on my own Hate Mail Rating System.
* He called you "bro", used an "LOL", or said "Merry Christmas" not referring to the title of the blog.
*I like the "I do love ya man" at the end alot.
*To qualify as hate mail, the writer only needed to insult Jon Acuff, but as added bonus, insulted readers of the blog, Mega churches, the city of Atlanta, Jon's church, and possibly coffee.
However, there is going to be a significant deduction for name-dropping Andy Stanley and Toby Mac, as well as listing his qualifications to judge the value of the blog based on a degree in missions and reading a completely unrelated Barna study to validate his position.
Overall, I give this a rating of 6. Well played.
I'm with Emu, I really had trouble following what you were trying to get across.
Are you saying that Jon's blog is too focused on middle class American Christian issues (like saying one greeting over another), or that he's not taking them seriously enough? I had sort of thought the blog existed to examine middle class Christian American culture and the broader, more universal nature of God.
I didn't find this post cynical at all, either, and what I love most about SCL is the honest way that Jon – and often many others, in the comments section – wrestles with these isses.
Forgive me if I sound a tad confused – it's because I am. So let me see if I understand your point: You're saying Jon should be a little less cynical and should try a different approach in order to reach more people who are not necessarily middle class Americans, and that he should make more friends than just Andy (whoever that is) and Toby Mac. Did I get that right?
So when is the 'I miss you saying ho, ho, ho! – Santa' billboard going up?
oh, please. I would laugh so hard.
I always say "Happy Holidays," but only because a majority of my family is Jewish, and I want to include them in the greeting. I happen to celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. I find it really funny though when "Christians" yell at me for "taking Christ out of it." I then usually remind them that I am sure they took Christ out of it when they cold-cocked the old woman at Wal-Mart in order to get to Tickle-Me Elmo (or whatever the hot toy is this year). If I KNOW that a person is a Christian, I have no issue at all wishing them "Merry Christmas", but for me to say that, and they end up being Jewish, Muslim, Hindi, or whatever else could offend someone who does no believe in Christ, or just happens to not celebrate Christmas.
Wasn't Christ all about bring peace and goodwill to people? Not screaming and yelling at people who happen to not believe the same thing?
No, Christ was not all about bringing peace and goodwill. He was about fulfilling the Law of the Old Testament and creating a way for us to be in right relationship with God and each other. The Gospel itself is offensive and will offend many who hear it. Does that mean we are not to try to reach them for fear of offending? If he was all about bringing peace and love he would not have thrown the temper tantrum in the temple – if he was all about peace and love he would have respected the established culture of the day and let the priests continue to rip off the faithful.
thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!
That is all.
Besides, of course, Merry Christmas!
On the contrary, I would like to make a suggestion to the people whom have commented,
Many if not most of you are very influenced by the writings posted, and you may not have agreed on the subject presented before you read this entry, but you now agree 100%. I would rather have your real oppinion, not one made because you read something and let your mind change so freely. Having an open mind is great, but that is not to be confused with an influenceable mind. Be ready to digest all information, but to believe exactly what is said here, is just being a copy. True a lot of the materials presented are very true, or very interesting points, but some is given from God to us to ponder on. He will not do all the work for you, and this blog is not the bible. Please make decisions for yourself and God.
God Bless.
Casey, I very definitely have carried the idea for a long time. When we argue semantics between one another (Christians) we are NOT living out John 13:35 — not as Jesus said it. He expected believers to love one another, not bicker over whose precise telling of his stories was the most right. (Remember? He came from a culture of storytelling — verbally)
When we argue over things like this, we are showing non-believers proof of why they don't want to become a believer. Instead of drawing people TO Christ, we are turning them away. Shame on us.
Just to further fry your brain, I take issue with the phrase, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" I believe instead that WE are the reason for the season. "Reason" is the why. He came as a man because we needed that sacrifice that only He could be. Ergo, "WE (mankind) are the reason for the season."
Thanks for this, Jon.
My Old Testament prof told us that the third commandment isn't so much talking about using God's name as a swear word, but rather attributing our words to God — putting words in God's mouth.
I think if more people realized that, there might be fewer billboards like this one.
Absolutely correct! I think it also applies to such things as politicians saying, "God bless America"!
Yes! Telling God what to do??? WHAT???
I think the whole "Christmas War" thing really comes down to two things 1) frustration from having their civil rights denied them because one person says they were offended. 2) This expression doesn't really cost us much. We want a Christian nation, but by and large, most of us aren't that concerned about making Christians. Having a "We say Merry Christmas" bumper sticker keeps us from getting all messy from loving people through evangelism and mentoring.
Maybe if we stopped trying to change the culture and started helping people meet Jesus, we'd find that changed people will make a changed culture.
Amen!
Well without Christ there's no CHRISTmas… wait is that just a corny clique?
Has there been a post about “God bless you” vs. “cisuntite”(sp?). Given the audience reaction to X-mas that would be great. But since I am here my reaction is that it’s our heart that matters. People know when your loving them vs schooling them. Skip the lesson and touch their heart with the love of God. Can you feel it? Am I loving you or schooling you with this post? Btw it is my firm belief that Jesus is our defender not the other way around…
I didn't read the comments so maybe someone suggested this.
Add a ps to the letter.
PS I miss you loving others more.
Cont'd –>To my politically friends here I ask in all sincerity: Okay, so removing Christ from Christmas is nothing to be concerned over(and maybe it isn't)which begs the question: At what point will you draw the line in the sand and say, "You know what, I don't care if you're offended – I don't care if it's politically incorrect and unpopular" The church in North America IMO has "gone along to get along" long enough, and I applaud the heart of those who are trying to remind a lost and broken world that Jesus IS the reason for the season. I may not necessarily think the method is best, but I deeply respect the ideal.
Thank you for sharing this…
I always thought "Happy Holidays" was appropriate because you're wishing them a good Christmas AND New Year in two lazy words.
Why say "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" (6 whole words! Eek!) when you can easily say "Happy Holidays" and kill two birds with only two words?
It's like the billboard that says, "If you swear I'll make traffic worse–God." I'm never comfortable putting words into God's mouth. I like to stick with what he actually said in the Bible. Jesus always shocked people with what he said. He was hardly predictable.
AMEN!! Thank you for this post!!
wow.
Um. This is what I think about "Happy Holidays"…. Christmas is not the only widely celebrated holiday in the month of December.
The End.
Everyone who hates getting and giving presents, raise your hand.
This is quite insightful, i also came across this, and its worth sharing, gave me a quick kick! check it out.
http://youthforjesus.com/2009/12/the-wrath-of-god...
Could I love this whole entire blog any more? No. I could not. I have given this blog all of my blog love. It is fantastic.
I say, Merry Christmas—another says, Happy Holidays–I'm not offended.
What gets under my skin are silly church Christmas pageants where you leave thinking more about some little kid and what he is getting or not getting in his Christmas shoebox than thinking of Christ and His coming—
That's become so commonplace in churches that it usually makes me dread Christmas altogether…except that the Advent of Christ is so glorious that I have to celebrate!
I don’t want to be that guy that never comments until I disagree, so I will say I really enjoy your blog posts and what you have to say, especially the one about boxes – great post.
I am however, disappointed in the general idea of this post, and some of the comments. Merry Christmas may be a man-made term, but it isn’t the man-made term that the ACLU, atheists, etc are fighting against. It is the one word in there – Christ. They don’t care if we say Merry something else, they want rid of the Christ part.
There may be some people who mean nothing by saying “Happy Holidays”, but there is a push to do away with not just saying “Merry Christmas”, but the very holiday itself.
Did you know that some stores do not allow their employees to say “Merry Christmas”? It might offend the atheists, Muslims, etc. I do boycott stores who deliberately do that.
Do you boycott stores that sell products made by child sweatshop labour? Which do you think Christ weeps more about, happy holidays or children being abused to make our junk?
So, you boycott stores that choose to include all of their customers in their greeting?
Did you know that Best Buy does not allow their employees to say “Merry Christmas”? Yet the same store did a shout out to a Muslim holiday in their on-line ad they ran at Thanksgiving – if that doesn’t bother you, it should. I called Best Buy, was polite and nice about it, and gave my thoughts on it.
We sat by and let the atheists take God and prayer out of schools, and I fear if we sit on our butts and have the attitude that this Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas is no big deal, and we need not get worked up about it, in the not so distant future, we may not be allowed to celebrate Christmas. I’m not an alarmist or conspiracy theorist, but there is definitely a push to do away with anything Christian in this country – Christmas included – and it doesn’t start with an outright ban. No, it starts with something so seemingly innocent as changing “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Holidays.”
"I'm not an alarmist or a conspiracy theorist." I'm afraid that saying we may not be allowed to celebrate Christmas in the not so distant future is quite alarmist. And, frankly, absurd. I say this not to be gratuitously insulting, but simply to accurately describe what you're saying. I very sincerely doubt that there is any movement to "ban Christianity," but if there is, I assure you that the vast majority of Americans, regardless of whether they are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, agnostic, atheist, or Kool-Aid drinking alien worshipping crazies, would be vehemently opposed.
I can only hope this is meant as satire.
And I for one, love the sign you mentioned. Did you know a couple of ladies came up with that to combat the push to do away with saying “Christmas”? I’m sure they would appreciate the tone of this blog post that came from seeing one of their signs.
We need to have the right attitude and show love, but if we Christians don’t stand up to what we think are little things like this, the day will come when Christmas is banned, along with Christianity.
So I disagree with you. We SHOULD be offended by “Happy Holidays”, especially in cases where it is being used deliberately, and Christmas is not allowed to be spoken. I believe God would be offended, whether you do or not.
I'd be curious to know your reaction to this response to the WAR ON CHRISTMAS http://www.bosscreations.net/ especially the crown o thorns tree topper http://www.bosscreations.net/ornaments.php …. to me this type of thing seems more about making a show of the fact Christ is your reason for Christmas, rather than actually living that fact. Also I think it is appropriate to have seasons and celebrations that focus on certain aspects of the incarnation, and though celebrating the dawn of the incarnation doesn't mean forgetting the ultimate purpose, there's nothing wrong with focussing on the joy of the blessed birth without throwing a cross and crown o thorns in the mix.
(I tried to restrain it)
And finally, wow was my snark brain going into overdrive
I was kind of weirded out that "Happy Holidays" has become a problem for people. It's a for-ever old saying to start with. Not because there are a bunch of pagans out there trying to avoid celebrating the birth of our Lord and savior, but because there are these three relatively main-stream Holidays all smushed right up against each other. And because I'm a bum and might not get your card out to you till the week I have off AFTER Christmas, there's a good chance it'll say "Happy Holidays" so that at least I'm still in time for New Year's!
Personally it doesn't bother me if people say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays". Honestly, I'm not sure it matters so much to God which of those greetings we say; I think that He most definitely cares about us loving our neighbors and how we show that love each day, not only on special occasions or on "Holy Days".
Yes… Using God to sell a church… hmmmm.
Hey Jon, I'm hoping you still have time to read all your own comments, what with you being all famous now.
Anyway, I saw this post the other day, and LOVED it so much that I told lots of people about it. But then tonight, one of my dear friends posted something on her blog that reminded me of this post all over again. I hope you have a few seconds to check it out – http://imghanaadopt.blogspot.com/2009/12/letter-f...
blessings ~ Mama Threads
I have a bit of trouble imagining a magic man in the sky who gets angry at people for not putting up plastic replicas of people gathered around a baby in December, or for eating bacon, or for saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays." And I have a LOT of trouble thinking passive-aggressive people snarking over who says what cheerful greeting in December understand their own religion, much less what their life's purpose is. But that's just me rocking gila monster crazy in the desert.
But doesn't it start to go 'round and 'round after a while:
"Ugh, those people who don't say Merry Christmas"
"Ugh, those people who make a big deal about saying Merry Christmas".
When you boil it all down, they're both still saying "ugh" about someone else.
[...] Here is a billboard that is making it’s way around the country. We have one here in Cincinnati and from reading Jon Acuff yesterday they have them in Atlanta as well. Here is his take on the subject. [...]
[...] take everyday “Christian” stuff and make it humorous. This is a re-post directly from Saying Merry Christmas that I thought was hilarious and insightful. Check out what he writes in [...]
[...] at StuffChristiansLike, Jon posted a blog inspired by a billboard spotted in the Atlanta area: I wasn’t going to write [...]