A Merry Christmas Blessing

I have the solution!

With all the hubbub over the banning of employees of certain department stores and businesses, saying, “Merry Christmas,” I would like to offer some thoughts on this and a solution.

Much ink and air-time in the media has been produced in bemoaning the anti-Christmas policies enacted by Target, Walgreens, and other stores. This “Scroogesque” philosophy should really come as no surprise to anyone who is a student of history. Since the founding of our nation there have always been certain people who decry the Christian bases upon which our country was established. This is often referred to as the “Judeo-Christian Ethic.” This means the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and basic laws of the land were formed with the Bible as the backdrop.

So then why is the salutation, “Merry Christmas,” so offensive to some?
Here’s my thought on this. Human nature is at war with God. That’s what our sin nature does. We rebel; we object; we resist; we curse; we do what we want. Bottom line - we sin. We seriously object to being told what to do. Having to admit we are opposed to God portrays us as bad guys. Christians are folks who have come to grips with their own sinful nature. They have experienced God’s love and forgiveness. This is called “grace.” Grace is receiving something we do not deserve – God’s love, forgiveness, and heaven. In fact, we deserve his worst – condemnation, judgment, and hell.

Listening on the radio, I just heard there are Jewish and Muslim groups in America that are calling for an end to all the politically correct nonsense. They are saying it’s okay to say “Merry Christmas.” Good for them!

But understand this – Christmas is about hope. When Christ came into the world, he came to reconcile us to God. That’s hope! So try this on for size. Next time you’re out in the stores, say, “Happy Hope.” This may sound strange to your ears, and to the ears of the one you were addressing, but that’s okay. When you are asked what you mean by “Happy Hope,” tell them the story of Jesus, the Son of God, who came into the world to reunite us with God the Father.

I suspect that the continued attempt to denigrate and eliminate Christmas and all things Christian, will backfire. PC talk has about run its course. People are fed up with the nonsense.

So when I say “Merry Christmas” to you, understand that it is a blessing I wish for you. I want you to be at peace with God. I want you to know this same Jesus who loved me enough to die for me, because he died for you, too.

This is why Christians say, “Merry Christmas.” And this is why Christian ministers preach God’s word. It is full of hope and grace – something we all need. They simply want you to know the truth that God loves you. All the hysteria over the removal of Christ from Christmas will never change, nor could it diminish this profound truth.

So, from me to you, let me wish you the blessing of a “Merry Christmas.”