Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays
The other day something shocking happened in my life, in which I walked away from the incident and felt like the worst Christ follower in the world. The event took place at the grocery store in which when I was walking away the cashier said, “Happy Holidays” to which I responded, “Happy Holidays to you as well.” It did not hit me until I got to my car that I forgot to say Merry Christmas.
It seems like every year the same battle ensues over whether we have to say Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas. Now let me say, yes Christ is the reason for the season, it is at this time of year that we celebrate the moment when God invaded time and choose to become man, choose to live on this earth. What a great time and what a great moment in time that God came down to rescue sinners like you and me. But here is what I was wondering the other day, is the battle over “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas” that important really?
I mean if we were just as passionate about Jesus the other eleven months of the year like we are around Christmas time, would we really be having this discussion. Maybe the real issue is that many Christians never share their faith with someone, many never live a life that even shows they are Christians. Maybe the real issue is not our world is turning its back on Jesus; newsflash that has already happened, at the cross! Maybe the real issue is our lack of passion and silence the other months of the year.
Why do we not stand up and get offended when someone takes the Lord’s name in vain, why do we not stand up and get offended when a Christian never comes to church, why do we not stand up and get offended when a Christian lives like the world and hurts the spread of the gospel? Let me challenge you to take your holiday spirit and your passion that you have for fighting for the words “Merry Christmas” and apply that to sharing the greatest news this Christmas season with someone who does not know Jesus. No matter what you call this holiday, Jesus is still King, Jesus still reigns and Jesus still saves.
So I wish you all a Merry Christmas or a Happy Holidays whatever you prefer and encourage you to pray about someone in 2010 that you can lead to Christ