I'm sure I'm going to catch some flak for this post. That's okay. You are just as welcome to share your disagreement as I am. I just choose to do so here, on my own blog.
What is the deal with putting Christ back in Christmas? How does that question accurately capture the spirit of the season? It's as delineating as standing on the street corner in long robes with elaborate prayers that have nothing to do with a relationship with God.
Have you gotten your flak ready for throwing?
My whole point is this: Christ only leaves Christmas when you show him the door. It's a personal thing that exists between you and the Father. It is not the responsibility of a society that is believed to have been founded on biblical principles. It is your responsibility. It is my responsibility. But it is not a responsibility to be shirked on society. If you believe that Jesus is the Reason for the Season, then act like it. But pointing your finger to society in a manner to express blame for the diminishing role you think he's playing during the holiday season is no different than saying you won't eat with tax collectors or prostitutes.
Here comes the flak. I can feel it.
Now before you get your panties all in a wad, hear me out. I believe that Jesus is the Reason for the season, beyond a shadow of a doubt, but I also believe that this is the season for expressing thanks and giving and love and wonder and joy and hope and peace and new beginnings. Accusing someone of deflating the season's meaning because they don't believe as you do does not encourage any one of those expressions. Not in the least. Christ is come! And Christ has come to all, not just those who believe that he is the Reason for the Season. This is the season that we should be saying, "God bless us everyone!" You cannot say that and, "Put Christ back in Christmas!" as though he has been stolen and you are accusing the thieves. They simply do not operate in the same way.
This is not a new debate. I realize this. I remember when I first learned people were up in arms because of the use of the letter "X" to shortcut the whole word. You wanna hear something interesting? The letter "X" in Greek stands for Chi, pronounced Ki, with the "I" being a long vowel sound. Kinda like Pie but with the letters "CH" in front. Do you know what Chi means? Christ. Basically, the letter "X" is the symbol for the Greek word meaning Christ.
Where do you think the word "holidays" came from? Holy days.
And what argument can be presented for the term "Season's Greetings!"?
Seriously. This is a circular argument. It probably wouldn't be such a big deal if we Christians stopped acting like we are under constant attack and found our footing in Christ like we say we have. We have been given the power to overcome, not flounder about in our own ignorance. We are called to love, not point the finger of blame every time somebody wrongs us. The world, I can guarantee you, is fully aware of what we are called to do. They know it better than we do in most cases. And, shocker of all shockers, have no qualms about doing what we are afraid we'll be tainted by doing if we do what we are called to do. We have our heads and hearts so far up our butts we have forgotten why we came to believe in the first place. We are running around like a bunch of bumbling idiots shouting, "Put Christ back in Christmas!!!" We fail to remember that it is the Father who gets to decide what lines get to be drawn where. All we have to remember is to open our hearts this season. Let in the sick, and the lost, and the lonely. Let in the everyones who need God's blessings. Open our minds up to the possibilities that we are his instruments of peace. That is the real, true essence of putting Christ back in Christmas.
