Keep Saying ‘Merry Christmas!’
I know there are Christians out there that don’t celebrate Christmas. Maybe it’s because of pagan origins, or maybe it’s their way of rebelling against the commercialization of Jesus’ birthday.
Though I have no problem with people who choose to downplay the glittery side of Christmas, I don’t agree with those who boycott it completely. Especially in these days of “holiday trees and wreaths” and stores that argue the greeting “Merry Christmas” is politically incorrect. (For those that feel this way, I guess I’m too politically incorrect to shop at your store…)
If you don’t want your children and grandchildren to be searching through dusty thrift shops for relics of “Christmas” past, then listen up to what Chuck Norris had to say at World Net Daily:
The National Retail Federation, the largest retail trade association, is projecting only a 5 percent increase in Christmas season sales over last year, to the tune of $457.4 billion. That compares with last year’s 6.1 percent increase.
It appears as well that the majority of that increase (61 million people) will do their shopping on the Internet (up from 51.7 million last year).
What alarms me most, however, are not any economic forecasts, but the progressive disappearance of retail Christmas terminology.
What ever happened to ”Christmas?”
In the pursuit of being politically correct, I believe we have sold out to a neutered nativity — taking no sides to the slow elimination of ”Christmas” in retail and culture.
He goes on to say,
I want to challenge corporate management, private businesses, and the American public to keep the word ”Christmas” in their displays and advertisements, rather than replacing it with any generic ”holiday” language.
Don’t be afraid to inform businesses who keep ”Christmas” alive that you are appreciative and will encourage others to patronize their businesses. Notify those who do not that you will not. (That includes Internet companies — the fastest growing shopping mall.)
And for starters, while I’m on the subject of “Christmas”…
The American Family Association has here an email petition you can fill out to send to Best Buy, letting them know how disappointed you are in their decision to ban the use of “Merry Christmas” in their advertising.
Most of all, remember what Chuck’s mom always told him,
The heart of Christmas is found in a stable not in a store.
Let’s protect it. Christmas is being fired upon. Don’t underestimate this important battle in today’s culture war. If Christmas “disappears” in the culture, so does the nativity. So do all the children who see baby Jesus and want to know more…
Keep saying ‘Merry Christmas!’, and let your actions back your words.
Comment by Leticia
December 4, 2006 @ 3:47 pm
I have a couple of friends who decided not to celebrate Christmas because of all the commercialism and I am sorry that they feel that way.
I am not going to stop saying, “Merry Christmas” I love my Savior and regardless of popular belief, He is the only reason we celebrate.
I was a bit disappointed in my boss, who happens to be a Christian,because she had told me that I could choose the Christmas cards, well, I found only one card that said, “Merry Christmas” with a generic quote. She then told me to choose a card that had Seasons Greetings or Happy Holidays. She did not want “offend” Muslims, Jehovah Witnesses etc. I found that to be rather tragic.
Comment by jenz
December 5, 2006 @ 5:39 pm
Merry Chistmas
I have some thougts on the commercialism of Christmas read my blog
http://jenz.wordpress.com/2006.....christmas/
Im also keeping my blog centred on the real reason for the season
check it out id love a visit
Comment by GeorgianaD
December 6, 2006 @ 12:30 am
What’s amazing is that most people–even non-believers–probably don’t mind when people say “Merry Christmas.” After all, they know it’s Christmas! I think the loud–make that VERY loud–minority just wants to make a stink about it. Sad. Because really, if they aren’t celebrating Jesus’ birth, what’s the point? And if they don’t want to celebrate, no one is forcing them. Is it such a big deal for us to wish them a Merry Christmas? Sheesh.
Comment by Mary
December 6, 2006 @ 9:12 am
I know, Georgiana. The anti-Christmas crowd is making an issue where no issue existed.
Pretty soon it’s going to be a line drawn in the sand, and I can’t imagine Christ wanting it to go that far. I hate to make a stink with businesses, so other than emailing and sticking to shopping at businesses unafraid of the word “Christmas”…I guess I’ll just thank those I do hear using the greeting and continue using it myself!
Jen, I went to your site and read that entry, thanks for telling me about it! I look forward to more of your Christmas posts!
Comment by MInTheGap
December 6, 2006 @ 10:15 am
Ahh, the annual question. We boycott the company “Holiday Party” and have successfully lobbied for our team’s luncheon to be called a “Christmas Luncheon”, but it does seem that businesses just don’t get it.
My father got a post card in the mail that was kind of a humorous reminder of this. It said: Here are the dates to get your package where it needs to be on time… Just it didn’t say on time for what. There was no mention of Christmas, even though the dates were right around December 25.
What foolishness.
Comment by Lindsey
December 12, 2006 @ 8:14 pm
I don’t understnd what the big deal is. I mean if you celebrate Chirstmas thats great and keep syaing “Merry Christmas” but for buisnesses to not acknoldege that there are two other holidays durin December is just wrong. It not about poltically correct but just about regonizing there are two other holidays. I dont’t think people should get offend or anything if somebody says Merry Christmas becaus e they should take it in the spirit in which it is intended.
Comment by Mary
December 12, 2006 @ 11:56 pm
I agree. There are holidays other than Christmas, so why can’t Best Buy or other businesses say “Happy Holidays” AND “Merry Christmas”? It’s always been about Christmas…we don’t go “holiday shopping”…we go “Christmas shopping”…we buy Christmas trees, Dec. 25th is Christmas…or at least it has been for centuries. Is it about to get a new name?
Comment by Eve
December 17, 2006 @ 7:44 pm
Chirstmas trees wont get a new name. People who sell christmas trees sell there products to people who celebrate christmas. but these stores like walmart sell everything to everybody so how can they only say “merry christmas”