How should Christians respond to the "War on Christmas"?

[Garland-Green]

Answer: Many people perceive that there is a concerted effort to eliminate the word “Christmas” from public discourse—sort of a “war on Christmas.” The stories seem to be coming more frequently: a grade-school choir sings “We Wish You a Happy Holiday” instead of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” for their “Winter Concert.” A library invites “holiday displays” from the community provided the displays have no religious connotation—the stable may have animals in it, but no people. It is possible to do all one’s Christmas shopping and never see or hear the word “Christmas” in the stores.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with saying “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings.” But if someone says “Happy Holidays” for the sole purpose of not saying “Merry Christmas,” then we are right to question what’s going on. “Why is the word Christmas censored?” we wonder as we wander through the malls. Why do some public schools celebrate everything from Kwanzaa to Labafana the Christmas witch, and ban the Nativity, all in the name of “inclusion” and “tolerance”?

One reason put forward by those seeking to avoid the word Christmas is that it would offend non-Christians. But, according to a recent Gallup poll, only 3 percent of adults in America say it bothers them when a store makes specific reference to Christmas. The exclusion of Christmas, then, is not really a way to “adapt” to a more diverse culture, but a way to engineer a more secular culture.

Many times, the arguments against Christmas programs and displays are couched in political terms, but the bias against Christmas goes much deeper than that. This is primarily a spiritual battle, not a political one.

How should Christians respond to the ubiquitous use of “Happy Holidays” and the exclusion of Christmas? Here are some suggestions:

1) Celebrate Christmas! Let the joy of the season show in your life. Teach your family the significance of Jesus’ birth and make the Christmas traditions meaningful in your home.

2) Wish others a Merry Christmas. When confronted with a “Happy Holidays,” get specific, and wish the greeter a “Merry Christmas!” You may be surprised at how many respond in kind. Even if you’re met with resistance, don’t let it dampen your cheer. Ebenezer Scrooge’s nephew was rebuffed year after year, but it never stopped him from wishing his humbug of an uncle a Merry Christmas and inviting him to Christmas dinner.

3) Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). The Christmas season is a wonderful opportunity to share Christ’s love and the gospel message. He is the reason for the season!

4) Pray for those in positions of power (1 Timothy 2:1-3). Pray for wisdom. Pray for revival so that Christmas, instead of being “offensive,” would be honored by all.  

[Anonymous Mosh]

I used to work in a government facility where anything that we did could not reflect a religious theme in our holidays. Didn't matter what the religion was. we also weren't to discuss it with the customers, unless it had to do with a particular item they were looking for. Which amazed me, because the very establishment was all about information brokerage. Some of us were actually told that we'd get fired for this.
Didn't stop me later on. I can't and won't hide what I am. lol And if I happen to say Merry Christmas, and people respond in kind, I guess they'll have to get over it, won't they.
Very good advise.

Anon. Mosh  

[The New Wineskin]

"Christmas" as we know it comes from common pagan roots. In the late Roman Empire, after the death of ha'Mashiach, the celebration of the winter solstice was practically required. For Christians to celebrate this festival while still maintaining their faith, they would celebrate the holiday by representing the concepts of gift giving as following the teachings of Jesus to love one another as He loves humanity (John 13:34) and the reason to celebration because of Jesus' birth. It is much more likely that Jesus was born in the Spring, given the fact that shepherds only flock their sheep during the Spring, which is shown to occur in the Bible (Luke 2: cool .

That being said, I couldn't care less.