Merry Christmas

It is nothing new to say that Christmas, particularly its Christian content, is being eroded by an increasing secularized West. A sure sign of this erosion is the gradual withdrawal of Nativity scenes from public places, in the name of not wanting religion to be given privilege, and not wanting to offend people. It might be easier if the offended just avoided the scenes, as I’m sure a stable has an un-stabilizing effect on those with such sensitivities. 

But worse may be the change of language (Orwellian). ‘Merry Christmas’ is just too much for some - they gag, so it is being slowly but surely replaced with ‘happy holidays.’ Who came up with something so innocuous, so insipid, as happy holidays? A new-speak committee? Are they referring to the holiday season that is celebrated because of the birth of Christ? Surely not. Maybe the best thing to do is simply not have these pesky holidays. At least this way they can blot out the Christ shadow inconveniently hanging over them. 

But is this as bad as it sounds? If Christianity has become nothing more than a sentimental cultural memory, stitching it into a cultural fabric is a way of neutralizing truth. History has judged us severely when we have become enmeshed with political systems - right or left.  We lose our saltiness, our flavor, and the gospel becomes something everybody knows about but few take seriously. ‘We are all Christians after all,’ except that we most assuredly are not.

In all entanglements the church loses the credibility of her witness, and our prophetic voice is tamed. Let the Christians do good works, and serve the disadvantaged, but they are not to challenge us or tell us our actions are sinful. Good heavens, they should keep their religion to the privacy of their homes. 

Really! Like the world keeps its bankrupt secularism at home.  

Of course, this could lead us to wondering if Christmas should be celebrated by us at all. Is it so bleached by crass commercialism and sentimentality that it is beyond recognition? Maybe, but we should celebrate Christmas anyway – with gusto. We know what it is about. It is cause for much celebration. It is the most stupendous moment in history - a holy and miraculous marvel, with earth shattering implications. Rather than succumb to intimidations we should shout it from the rooftops. Christ is born. Good news is here. God’s love and promises are being fulfilled in ways and means beyond imagination. How does ‘happy holidays’ match that? 

So - Merry Christmas all. Celebrate the birth of the savior with joy, as you gather to worship, pray, give gifts, and feast together.