"Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays?"

As I pastor I hear a lot about "keeping the Christ in Christmas." I also read and hear a lot about the so-called "War on Christmas," that has intensified in recent years. In all honesty I personally think that there are far more important things to fight over than what the cashier at Walmart says to me as I check out in December or the words being sung at the local public school Christmas program. Yet I've been thinking about this a little more than usual, and as I am out in the public square I have wrestled over the appropriate greeting for the strangers whom I encounter.

In short, should I say, "Happy Holdiays" or "Merry Christmas?"

First off, for me this is not a matter of political correctness. I have never made decisions based upon whether or not something is PC. I am trying my darndest to follow Jesus and as I look at his life and ministry political correctness doesn't appear to be one of his core values. It was the politicians and religious leaders afterall who joined together to crucify him.

The question I have is what is one trying to accomplish when greeting someone during the holidays? I would contend that in general whether one is wishing another "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas," their main objective is simply to wish some goodwill upon another person. In which case, the greetings seem to be synonymous. Let's say this is the purpose of a holiday greeting then wouldn't "Happy Holidays" be more effective as it can also encompass "Happy New Year" in it as well? "Happy Holidays" is a lot more concise than "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year." I only have so many words I can get out in a day.

For those who subscribe to "Jesus is the reason for the season" meaning of Christmas, "Merry Christmas" is far more than just an off-the-cuff holiday greeting of goodwill and best regards.

Christmas is about God becoming flesh and dwelling among us.

Christmas is about a messiah coming to save his people.

Christmas is about a king being born not in the splendor and glory of a palace, but in the humility and simplicity of a manger.

Christmas is about the poor and oppressed receiving hope, dignity, and rescue.

Christmas is about a God who saw his children in their brokenness and chose to do something drastic about it.

So here is a thought...if Christmas truly is about Jesus, and you want to fight to keep him the meaning of Christmas, then why not just share Jesus with others? Why not look for opportunities to share your faith with others? Why not invite someone to your Christmas Eve service? Why not look for opportunities to serve the poor in your community or reach out to the single mothers? If Christmas is really about Jesus what would it would it really look like to wish the stranger a "Merry Christmas?"

Christmas is bigger than a greeting. It is an event. It is an action. If we're just greeting someone this season then "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" makes little difference. However, if we're truly wishing (wishing probably isn't the best word...maybe blessing) someone a "Merry Christmas" then it makes all the difference in the world. It did 2000 years ago, and it continues all the same today.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Incarnate People

What if this Christmas we didn't just give presents, but instead we gave PRESENCE?

Christmas is about God being present with his people. Its a celebration of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us in the person of Jesus Christ. For centuries followers of Christ have referred to this as the "Incarnation." Incarnation is about embodiment, in the flesh, or physical presence. Yet, not only do Christ-followers believe in the Incarnation, but we recognize that we're called to be Incarnational ourselves. Just as Jesus entered into our story and brought the presence of God into it, we're called to enter into the stories of others and bring the presence of God there as well.

So what hat does it mean to be incarnational?

1. Go where stuff is happening. You cannot be incarnational from a far. Filmmaker Woody Allen once said, "95% of life is just showing up." Incarnation at its core is about showing up. As followers of Christ we're not called to live separately from the rest of the culture, rather we are instead called to live "set-apart" lives within the culture as a way of engaging it. Where is the stuff happening around you? Who are the people in your sphere of influence and how are you showing up in their lives?

2. Listen to the heart-cry of the people around you. In several instances recorded in the Gospels we read that Jesus had "compassion" for a town or a group of people. The Greek that is translated as compassion literally means, "to be moved in one's bowels." That's kind of a gross image but the point is that when Jesus entered into the stories of others he was moved deeply in his gut. His heart went out to the people. This means that Incarnate people enter into others' brokenness even though its a risky emotional investment and even though things could get messy. This is what God did for us. He heard the heart-cry of his people and he entered into our brokenness. What is the heart-cry of the people around you or the community in which you live, and are you filled with compassion?

3. Do something about the brokenness. The truth is that just showing up isn't enough. Jesus didn't just show up to hang out with us, eat comfort food and rub our backs so we felt a little better. He did something about the sin and brokenness that was destroying us. Incarnation isn't just about presence; it's about transformation and redemption. When we live incarnationally not only do we hear the heart-cry of others and enter into it, but we do something about it as well. What are you doing about the brokenness around you?

4. People talk about those who live incarnationally. Do you realize that people have been talking about Jesus for 2000 years? He came into this world, God-in-the-flesh, lived among us and saved us, and his story is still being told today. Go ahead and do a Google search for Jesus and see how many hits it returns. When we go where stuff is happening, hear the heart-cry of others and do something about it, people begin to talk about us. The news begins to spread. What are others saying about you? What are the comments about you on Facebook? What are others saying about your church? When we begin to live incarnationally others around us take notice.

Christmas isn't about how many gifts are under the Christmas tree. It is about sounding the message that God has come to help his people. How could you live incarnationally among someone this Christmas? Let's give Christmas Presence!