If you want to start a heated debate these days, I've got two words for you: Merry Christmas.
The Season to be Jolly is becoming extinct, at least according to a lengthy tract making the rounds on the evangelical Internet circuit. A metaphorical Texas Christian woman regrets that the Hap-Happiest Time of the Year is being eroded by laws, regulations, and political correctness.
She tells of going over the river and through the woods to a Wendy's restaurant, and greeting the manager with a hearty "Merry Christmas". He didn't have much of a response, and she said, "Where's your Christmas spirit?" He replied, "We're not allowed to use the words "Merry Christmas" when greeting customers. We can only say "Happy Holidays".
At Whataburger, she noticed there wasn't a single decoration. She asked the manager why, and he told her that corporate headquarters decided against it. She had heard rumors that Macy's and Federated stores took down their Merry Christmas signs, and Target stores didn't allow the Salvation Army to ring their usual Christmas bells, but she was appalled to find that, even in her own metaphorical town, everyone wasn't dancing merrily in the new old fashioned way. How in the name of Good King Wenceslas could this be?
She laments, I know now that it's just a matter of time that the "Merry Christmas" greetings will be gone. Look around your town. Notice the "Holiday" greetings, and not "Christmas". It's happening right before our very eyes. When we get to a point that we can no longer take part in a tradition we hold dear, we have no choice; we either defend that tradition or we give it up to those who say no.
To you merchants: Stop being so hypocritical and filling your tills on the back of Jesus! Who do you think is the symbol of giving at this time of year? It was the wise men bringing gifts. You want your coffers full, but have ordered your employees to take down all the Merry Christmas signs. If that's the case, I'll buy gifts at a place that understands my joy. If you're worried about offending someone, you just did.
Do we defend a person's right to go forward with a time-tested tradition (how about 2000 years?), or do we defend a person's right to end it all because they're offended? As long as we live in this great land, and have the freedom to express ourselves, and what we believe in, we will always offend someone. If we try to make everything right for everyone, we won't have anything for anyone.
The founding fathers of this country were predominantly Christian, escaping a world where state religion was imposed on them. And, while America has always treasured its heritage of religious freedom, those Christian roots are prevalent in our everyday lives: the day of rest is Sunday, not Saturday; schools are closed for Christmas and Easter, not Passover, Kwanzaa, or Hana Matsuri (Buddha's birthday); we feast on Thanksgiving, not Ramadan, Diwali, or Chu Suk; New Year's is January 1, though the nineteen other major religions of the world recognize dates in at least six other months.
However, the 1000+ sects of Christianity represent only one-third of the world's population. Those choirs of angels do not sing for everyone in our society. Christmas celebration, like decking the halls and bringing figgy pudding, should not be forced on the unwilling or the disinterested. (Especially traditional figgy pudding, made with suet!)
Perhaps you believe that our laws have gone too far in separating church and state, but the fact is, those are the laws. I am not in favor of the secularization of everything. I found the idea of removing the Ten Commandments from courthouses to be over the top. But if the government can ban or restrict certain things, why can't private business do the same? Wendy's and Macy's are apparently trying to be inclusive, rather than exclusive, referring to this season as Holiday rather than Christmas. They don't want to offend the growing non-Christian segment of our shopping population, and that is their right. Everyone should practice religion as they see fit (and live as they see fit) as long as neither imposes anything on anyone else.
No one is preventing this woman, or true believers bringing tidings of comfort and joy, from following yonder star. She is upset that others weren't similarly westward leading, still proceeding. She dreams of a white Christmas, and chides merchants for dreaming of green. She bah-humbugs commercializing the season, but then demands that same commercialization, refusing to shop anywhere that does not fully decorate, display, and otherwise hark to her herald angels.
So have yourself a merry little Christmas, but don't force it on anyone. Acknowledge America's Christian founding, but accept equally the views of those others we have made a part of our society. If that means de-emphasizing the secular trappings (not the moral tenants) of religion as part of society as a whole, then let it be so. This should not diminish the meaning of religion, or Christmas, to anyone .
Finally, if you agree with Texas Lady that Christians are seeing their dashing through the snow dashed, and religious expression eroded, in America, it is only because Christians have had far more than any others for so long. As society expands and diversifies, the playing field is becoming more level. But true religion is within the mind and soul, not decorations at a burger joint.
As the apostle Peter said, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect".
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. God Bless us, every one.