Fighting the War on the War on Christmas

Forgive me for getting a little political.

With the holidays rolling around again I wonder when I'll start hearing about the War on Christmas. The artificial trees are already peering through the windows at the local Walgreen's. If you aren't familiar with this particular war, supposedly liberals and the liberal media and possibly Satan have launched an all out assault on Jesus' birthday. Here's how the claims usually pour forth from the likes of Bill O' Riley. When your local department store has Seasons Greetings painted on its windows it's because liberals have stripped the stores freedom to paint their widows with Merry Christmas. "Merry X-mas" is another hated term by those who claim they are losing this battle. Happy Holidays posted on your local hardware store door is also unacceptable. Now I'll give them this--I do have fond childhood memories of going to the mall and seeing the word "Christmas" framed in garland as far as the eye could see.

However, it wasn't for some childhood fascination or even love for Jesus. It was because I related Christmas with the receiving of toys, crisp weather, the useless hope for snow, and seeing my grandparents. All good and wonderful and my Santa Myth still lingers as a 39 year old.

Things have changed but I dare say for the better. Political correctness gets to be a burden and sometimes is just wrong, but in this case I side with the dark side. What I don't understand is why some Christians want Jesus selling perfume at JC Penny's or a Credit Card that promises to make your life worth living. Isn't the conflict blatantly obvious? Jesus was absolutely against the idea that your stuff made you and that you can buy your way into the Kingdom. The irony is poignant in that Jesus would not want anything to do with the holiday that celebrates his birth.

So Happy Holidays to all! It's catchy and actually has Christian origins. I don't see us changing anything soon. The US is a capitalist country and I'm OK with that because I don't know of a better choice. I say embrace it. Don't go into debt but feel the joy and excitement of X-mas. If you aren't Christian, come on along. Take part in the department store sales, take part in all the joyful noise, attempt like crazy to do some good. Shouldn't we, as Christians, be overjoyed that we now have a secular holiday with more sincere origins--capitalism. The spiritual/religious/Christian Christmas can be enjoyed at home. And after you are done, go blow some cash on a new I-Phone. It's a more sincere act than getting all puffed up over what signage is hanging in the mall.