Happy Holidays!

Anyone tired yet of the so-called culture wars? I am.

Does Jesus really care whether we SAY Merry Christmas? I suspect what Jesus wants is for us to LIVE Merry Christmas.

Not everyone in America celebrates Christmas. Everyone (pretty much) does celebrate Thanksgiving and the New Year, and there happen to be some other miscellaneous holidays that fall in between around this time of year in addition to Christmas. So yes, although I am a follower of Jesus, I am perfectly fine with a friendly "Happy Holidays" from the store clerk. It is respectful of our diversity as a nation.

No one actually knows when Jesus was born. This time of year was a pagan holiday of the winter solstice, from which we get all kinds of traditions that we love, such as trees, holly and evergreen decorations, feasts, gift exchanges, etc. The date December 25, was selected by the Catholic Church over 300 years after Jesus' death and resurrection and was meant to transform a pagan tradition into a Christian celebration. (see http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_invented_Christmas)

All that being said, Christmas is a wonderful holiday and I celebrate and love the meaning and joy of Jesus' birth. I also, by the way, like the meaning of Chanukah and the lamps that did not go out. What a great metaphor for being the light in the darkness and of good triumphing over evil!

Both these celebrations remind us of God's unconditional love and the hope, peace and light that is meant to be in the world. In addition, Jesus birth account SPECIFICALLY talks about Jesus being sent to the poor. Consider these passages from the Magnificat -- Mary's response to being selected to birth Jesus:

He has shown strength with his arm
and has scattered the proud in their conceit,

Casting down the mighty from their thrones
and lifting up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.

So, back to my opening premise that what Jesus really wants for Christmas is for us to LIVE a Merry Christmas, not to just say it. What would this look like? Our pastor, John Edgar, said look to Matthew 25 for Jesus' gift wish list: Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned. Help the LEAST OF THESE and you will give Jesus a great birthday gift.

How many more people might consider following Jesus if we just stopped talking about it and actually showed it? I know so many people who are so utterly turned off by Christianity and Christians (often with good reason) that they cannot even have ears to hear any more. Billboards telling people they will burn in hell do nothing but discourage people from really finding the love of God.

So, this Christmas I encourage everyone to say "Happy Holidays" and live "Merry Christmas" by helping someone in poverty, giving a toy to a child in need, visiting someone in the hospital, listening to someone who is struggling, cleaning the house of someone who is ill, making a donation to charity, volunteering time, cheerfully paying our taxes (which often help those in need!), and, in general, thinking of some way to say Merry Christmas with our hearts, not our lips. Maybe by doing so we will better show the love of Christ and invite someone into a relationship with Him.

Happy Holidays!