Tis the Season to be politically correct

Well, “Holiday Season” is in full swing and signs of it are everywhere!  But somewhere in my 49 years of existence, the word “Christmas” fell out of favor in the public square and became an expression of intolerance for a whole lot of people.

If it weren’t for Christmas Day would it really be a pain to get into the local mall on December 24th?

Many Christians are put off by the now routine substitution of “Holiday” for the word “Christmas.” I confess it irritates me too a bit that all those who expect us to be tolerant of those who do not celebrate Christmas or, more likely, just don’t recognize the Christ-based reason for the Season can’t tolerate those of us who like the word “Christmas” and who really do believe it is the real reason for the “Holiday” season.

 

Think about it for a minute.  If it weren’t for Christmas Day would it really be a pain to get into the local mall on December 24th?  I doubt it.  December 25th would be just another day.  And how many retail signs do you see that say “Only 10 shopping days until Holiday Day?” None.  At least we still have “After Christmas sales.”  So, let all the Grinches just admit it: Christmas is the focal point of the season!

 

I’m not sure what the harm is in wishing a Merry Christmas to people who don’t recognize Christ or in a store having a “Christmas Sale.”  If someone were to wish me a "Happy Hanukkah" or a "Happy Ramadan," it might not mean a whole lot to me, but I’d appreciate the expression of good will that lies behind it, and I sure wouldn’t get mad at them.  After all, Christmas is about “glad tidings” and "great joy" and getting Grinchey myself is a bit contrary to what the Heavenly Host proclaimed at Christ’s birth - "Joy to the world!"

 

But I have wondered why the ACLU and others are so intent on suppressing "Christmas" celebrations in our schools and public squares.  Perhaps it is because Christmas is an anathema to our post-modern culture.  How so?

 

Well post-modernism, as the philosophical types call it, says there is no absolute truth because there is no basis for it - we are all we have.  It also says there are no meta-narratives (big picture stories) to explain the reason for our existence.  And if you believe that, then Christmas really is a horror story to be suppressed.   Letting people think too much about Christmas might scare little children and convert the post-modern skeptic because Christmas is a story about a God who transcends us, who is over us, who created us and all there is. If the Christmas story is true then there is a basis for absolute Truth.  But the really scary part is that this superintending, Creator God is not just “out there” somewhere.  No, the scary part is that He has broken into our earthly existence to make Himself known and to call us to recognize His authority over all that which He has made.  That is not a comforting thought to those who want to think of themselves as autonomous and free of any rule but such as they, not God, make.

 

So, I understand the cultural consternation from those prefer Holiday cheer to that of Christmas cheer.  Do I feel the need to picket and protest?  Sometimes, but not really (though here is a link to find out which retailers are most naughty or nice about Christmas). Real tolerance means tolerating that which you think is wrong and, well, I guess I can “tolerate” the “Holiday Season” crowd.  But, more importantly, it’s a bit easier to “tolerate” since I can recognize Christmas all by myself. And part of that for me and perhaps my own form of protest is still wishing a “Merry Christmas” those whom I meet. And perhaps if enough of us just do that, we’ll soon forget about the “Holiday” and rediscover Christmas.

 

So, please excuse me when I say to each of you, “Merry Christmas!”  Your tolerance is appreciated.