Warning:
This is just a little rant about something that’s been bothering me lately….
These are just my thoughts and feelings.
I’m a Christian. I believe, acknowledge, and celebrate what I believe to be “the reason for the season” which is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. But I also partake in the secular side of Christmas. I attend the candlelight Christmas Eve church service celebrating Jesus’ birth and then I go home and turn into Santa’s helper placing gifts under the Christmas tree once Noah has gone to bed.
I’m a Christian. I believe, acknowledge, and celebrate what I believe to be “the reason for the season” which is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. But I also partake in the secular side of Christmas. I attend the candlelight Christmas Eve church service celebrating Jesus’ birth and then I go home and turn into Santa’s helper placing gifts under the Christmas tree once Noah has gone to bed.
The past
couple of years, because of the “war on Christmas” as some call it, some companies tell their employees
not to wish customers a Merry Christmas (using Happy Holidays as an
alternative) and what was once referred to as Christmas tree or Christmas ornaments are
now often times referred to as holiday trees and holiday ornaments. I guess
it’s just become the politically correct thing to do. But I've noticed Christians are making it a point to use “Merry Christmas” more and more.
I’ll be honest, before the war on Christmas was so predominant, I used to say “Happy Holidays” more than “Merry Christmas.” Not because I’m not proud to be a Christian and celebrate the birth of Jesus but because I feel like Happy Holidays includes multiple holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s and by saying “Happy Holidays” I’m including all of those. Often times when I write about Christmas related things, I’ll use holiday season because again, I’m talking about the entire season; more than just one day (Christmas Day in this case.) I suppose I could start referring to it as the Christmas season but I’m just not used to saying that yet.
I also personally feel it’s odd to wish someone a “Merry Christmas” early on in the season, like on December 2nd for example. Christmas is still weeks away at that point!
I’ll be honest, before the war on Christmas was so predominant, I used to say “Happy Holidays” more than “Merry Christmas.” Not because I’m not proud to be a Christian and celebrate the birth of Jesus but because I feel like Happy Holidays includes multiple holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s and by saying “Happy Holidays” I’m including all of those. Often times when I write about Christmas related things, I’ll use holiday season because again, I’m talking about the entire season; more than just one day (Christmas Day in this case.) I suppose I could start referring to it as the Christmas season but I’m just not used to saying that yet.
I also personally feel it’s odd to wish someone a “Merry Christmas” early on in the season, like on December 2nd for example. Christmas is still weeks away at that point!
But because of
the War on Christmas, I feel pressured and that I’m almost a bad Christian if
I’m wishing people “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” And I’m tired
of it. I mean really, if I wish someone “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry
Christmas” am I really taking Christ out of my Christmas? No! I still believe
what I believe, I’m still a Christian, and I still celebrate the true meaning
of Christmas. But, I want to be able to say what I want to say without being
judged or someone forming an opinion of what I believe in based on two words.
What I believe, can’t be summed up or explained in a two-word well-meaning pleasantry.
Besides, I know my heart, I know who I am, and who’s I am.
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