I hate writing about things that could brew controversy. Mostly because I despise typical debates with obvious statements that have been vocalized a million times over. I don’t know why I am mentioning this, but I am.
A recent friendly conversation about the use of the word ‘holiday’ to replace ‘Christmas’ had me thinking, “What would Jesus do?” While I cannot speak for the Son of God, I can imagine what his ideas would be on this beaten-to-death topic.
Jesus does not care. Jesus did not ask us to have a month long or longer celebration of his birth using red and green streamers and Santa Claus and snowman shaped cookies. Jesus does not mind if the stores write Holiday Sale!!! when they are trying to push more units of the most recent electronics. I’ll even bet he would rather not have his name attached to any retail store in the first place.
I understand that the season has been taken from a one day celebration of the birth of the Christian Messiah and erupted into an enormous and often stressful season, having very little to do with religion. I enjoy the season, as it brings me great memories of family and food and toys and television specials. It bothers me that some (not all) people claiming to want to put the Christ back in Christmas will fight for things like having twinkle lights state the name of their savior as though Jesus cares one way or another.
Let’s face the fact that Christmas is December 25th and the Holiday Season is two months of cider and sleigh rides and try to understand that Jesus cannot be encapsulated in your red and green M & M’s.
The Pilver 
It bothers me that some (not all) people claiming to want to put the Christ back in Christmas will fight for things like having twinkle lights state the name of their savior as though Jesus cares one way or another.
Same here. I really don’t think Jesus cares either way if the retail stores and TV commercials mention Him by name. There are a lot more important things we could be doing than trying to get Target to say the word “Jesus” at Christmastime or whatever. Put the Christ back in Christmas by showing love to other people like He said to do. I don’t claim to know the mind of Christ, but I think it’s safe to say that’s what He’d rather see.
Also, a lot of Christians either forget or never knew that there really are other religious holidays that take place during the same season as Christmas. So it’s not like Christians have a monopoly on the month of December. That’s why so many retail outlets and brands say “holiday”– because they don’t want to marginalize anybody. And I’m okay with that.
I disagree, KB. I think you are so wrong on this one. I think Jesus would care. I think he would look at those twinkly lights in his name and go “Dude, when did I become Dolly Parton?”
I like the cut of your jib. Or some such old phrase. I agree. I can’t speak for Jesus either, but he and I were childhood friends and I think he rolls his eyes at misplaced moral outrage. Lots of facepalm for Jesus, I bet.
If someone wants it to be CHRISTMAS, no one is stopping them. It’s their Christmas and they are lying if they think someones taking it away from them. Jesus doesn’t like people to lie, so which is worse?
I absolutely agree with you on this. I’m pretty sure “keeping Christ in Christmas” is more about how I live and celebrate the holiday. I seriously doubt anyone has had some great conversion because someone said Christmas instead of holiday. I guess we sometimes feel better about the excessive spending we do if the cashier says Christmas, like it’s okay we just charged up our credit cards because that cashier at Target said “Merry Christmas!” If I believe what Jesus said, it’s my job to share His love with others, not get outraged and condemn people because of the words they use. Getting into a verbal sparring match with the checkout girl at Walgreens is about as effective as leaving one of those Christian tracts that looks like money in lieu of a tip for your server. Sorry, but it’s a raw nerve for me when we Christians condemn the world for not celebrating a Christ that they don’t know, when most of us do such a poor job at showing His love to others at this time of year.
Those tracts left as tips are momentarily funny, and then downright aggravating.
Christians have fallen so far from the teachings of Christ that they are blind to the fact that most of what Christmas has become is the exact opposite of what he was trying to teach people. Trying to ignore other holidays is the spirit of today’s Christianity, where other’s beliefs are scoffed at, and oppression of knowledge continues as it has since it’s beginning. The only appropriate name to attach to the Christmas that most people celebrate today is SATAN.
I can speak for Jesus, because I am Jesus. I just wanted to tell you all that I don’t care if you call it the Holiday Season, or if you attend Holiday parties.
To “Anonymous,” I know who you are, since well… I am the Son of God. I do have a great sense of humor though, and you’re hilarious. It would be a load of laughs if we all called the holidays “Santanmas.” Good one. Oh, by the way, quit judging people, Anonymous. That’s my dad’s job.
Anyways, ya’ll my birthday is in July. But thanks for thinking of me.