14th Dec 09
BillDBloggerHeather, the cashier, says “Happy Holidays!” in a cheerful tone to the customer just in front of me in line, as she hands over the receipt. The customer responds in a stern tone with hundreds of words: “MERRY CHRISTMAS!” The man glares at Heather for 45 minutes as he conveys, through his eyes, an essay regarding his frustration with the political correctness of the present world that led her to say the two words she just said. She offers a stiff smile and glances away at the awkwardness her angry “christian” customer has created.
He didn’t mean “Merry Christmas,” and he knows it. He meant, “I’m angry that your store’s policy is that you do not say ‘Merry Christmas’, and I’m going to make a statement by responding with a mean ‘Merry Christmas’”.
Another soul won for Christ? Nope. Another wall built? Probably. Way to keep Christ in Christmas, fellow “christian!”
We Christians forget, sometimes, what the ultimate goal is. If we are out there this Christmas season spreading our frustration about political correctness imposed on some employees, let’s stay home. Let’s not forget that Heather is just trying to keep her job so that she can take care of her 3 kids at home that are barely fed. It isn’t her fault, and she doesn’t deserve our thin skin of a “Merry Christmas” filled with our frustration at the world.
In reality, Mr. Customer made an impact. He made an impact on the cashier and everyone within hearing. Any walls that they had already built up regarding Christianity were just fortified with another layer.
Say “Merry Christmas,” but let it be only two words, spoken in love. Otherwise, don’t say it please. If you do, you are hurting the very cause that you claim to identify with.
Don’t make yours a mean Merry Christmas.
jim van hook
December 14th, 2009 at 02:30
Well said, Bill. What’s goofy about this is that people have been saying “Happy Holidays” for as long as I can remember. For example, we used to get three types of Christmas cards. One was a “religious themed” card. More common were the Santa Claus, Frosty, Rudolph type “Merry Christmas” cards. And then there were the “Happy Holidays” or “Happy New Years” cards, usually the most extravagant. I only see 2 things that are new. One is that more companies have chosen the neutral greeting, and all-encompassing greeting. And the other is that certain people have ranted about this issue for their own purposes and Christians have gotten all prickly over it.
And as I think about all those years from the 50s on, how many Merry Christmases have been spoken as homage to Jesus, and how many to some general idea of the “season”, elves, Santas, Christmas trees, and mind-boggling materialism. How much of what we call the “Christmas season” is even loosely connected to Jesus’ birth? (Well, the BCC Christmas presentation was right on.)
jody spradlin
December 14th, 2009 at 04:47
Merry Christmas, said with all love and smiles!
BillDBlogger
December 15th, 2009 at 16:40
Thanks you two for your comments…and Merry Christmas back to you Jody!
I should also note, as most are probably aware, that the origin of the word “Holiday” is “Holy Day”.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand the spirit behind the transition toward “Happy Holidays!,” but my point has to do more with the intent in the response.
May God bless you this Christmas!
Bill