From the Pastor’s Pen – By Brian Horrobin
Well, the wonderful Christmas season is upon us and there’s a reason why we call it Christmas – because it’s all about Jesus Christ.
Yes, that’s right.
I know this time of year also coincides with the Jewish commemoration of Hanukkah and the festival of Kwanzaa, but refraining from greeting people with a hearty “Merry Christmas” due to a concern for causing offense is simply absurd.
In recent years there has been much debate over what should be deemed acceptable as a greeting at this time of year.
On the one hand there has been a push by the political correctness movement in retail where employees are encouraged, and even forced, to say ‘Happy Holidays’ to customers.
But there has also been a counter revolution of sorts to brazenly declare “Merry Christmas” instead.
Personally, I greet folks with ‘Merry Christmas’ simply because this is the Christmas season and I want them to enjoy the blessing of God’s greatest gift.
I don’t believe in being obnoxious about it, nor arguing with those of a differing opinion than my own.
Nevertheless, I resent being told I can’t say it.
I respect the history and message behind the Jewish tradition of Hanukkah, and I also see the cultural acknowledgement in Kwanzaa, but they are both separate and distinct from the message of Christmas.
Furthermore, I don’t feel we should reduce Christmas to the warm, fuzzy “it’s-all-about-family” mantra, either.
Family is important, yes, and this time of year does lend itself to that, but the true message of Christmas stands alone as God’s gift to us of His Son, the One who came to save us from our sins.
That is the essence of keeping ‘Christ’ in Christmas.
