Proclaim reason for the season

Submitted on December 15, 2006

Send to friendWhat’s that sound off in the distance? No, it’s not just the sweet music of jingle bells ... Hark! The herald angels are indeed singing: "Glory to the newborn King!" Lo and behold, Christmas greetings are making a comeback this year, and just in time for a true celebration of Jesus’ birth. Yes, even in the commercial world’s rush hour, store employees of retail shopping giants are once again being given the freedom to wish customers a merry Christmas. How good it is to be able to say freely what we feel so deeply inside. We know all too well the pressure that committed, believing Christians have so often been made to feel about keeping hidden their faith and Christmas joy. Demands from the American Civil Liberties Union and organizations of atheists and agnostics for an "inclusive," "tolerant" or "pluralistic" (try "religiously sterilized") society have frequently intimidated Christians, sometimes even making them feel guilty for wanting to express their Christian faith or to give a Christmas greeting. Nothing could be more misguided, as it is a very denial of the openness they demand. If ours is to be an inclusive, pluralistic society, then Christians must be allowed to express and to celebrate their faith and religious joy. Inclusion and pluralism do not mean we throw everything out with equal disregard and total disdain. They mean that we allow each other to express and to celebrate that which people recognize as sacred. We are painfully aware of past denials of religious freedom of expression in socialisti, communist and fascist regimes. The oppression posed by today’s "nothing-is-permitted" mentality is no less a pitfall or danger. This will befall us only if we allow it to do so. Most of us are not of French ancestry. Who, however, would feel excluded or imposed upon were someone to say "Happy Bastille Day" around July 14? The greeter is not trying to sell us something or to espouse a belief. If we do not find it personally pertinent, we have been done no harm. There has been no offense intended; why would we take offense? Just so, we are not excluding anyone by our Christmas greetings. We are not imposing an ideology or recruiting for a cause. We are not offending. We are merely extending a heartfelt blessing and fond wish. If only we all did just this very thing all year round. With what are we left if we cannot say "Merry Christmas?" Just what do we celebrate in Christmas’ stead? What is the meaning behind "Happy Holidays" if it does not relate to the birth of Jesus Christ? Have we made a festival celebration of the "Feast of December 25"? (After all, it does come only once a year.) We have heard it said so often that it can seem trite, but the inescapable fact remains that Jesus is, indeed, the "reason for the season." "Merry Christmas" is a very special thing we say at this time of the year. It is truly a part of who and what we are. When we cut ourselves off from our past, we cloud our present and lose sight of our future. This is our heritage, our tradition. As Tevye reminds us: "Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof!" As ever, Christians are called to be proactive, not reactive. It is up to each us to keep Jesus Christ in Christmas. Let us not fear what the reaction might be or how it might be perceived as we, with full hearts, extend our Christmas blessings. Let us allow our faith and true Christmas spirit to be seen by all. Sharing our beloved, newborn King is the right thing to do. Let us proudly proclaim to all: "A most blessed, joyous and merry Christmas!"