By Lisa Huddleston
I know I’ve written about this topic before–heck, I’ve been writing this blog for so long that I’ve probably written about just about everything–but I just can’t let it go without addressing it again.
What is IT? The over-hyped issue of saying “Merry Christmas.” Naturally, being a believer that God came to this planet as a baby wrapped in flesh his parents named Jesus, I do not have any problem with this greeting. But I do have a problem when others who also call themselves believers use the words to assault people who do not agree with them.
In case you’ve missed what I’m talking about (as if that is possible) here is an example of something I saw posted on social media recently:
Wow! Nothing says, “Jesus loves you” like deliberately offending someone who doesn’t believe in Him anyway. I know, you think it’s your right to say, “Merry Christmas!” And, of course, it is.
But Jesus had more than a few things to say about putting our rights before the redemption of others. Things like “turn the other cheek” and “give him your cloak also.” And in writing about Jesus, the Apostle Paul said that Jesus, although equal to God himself, did not cling to his rights but rather poured them out so that we could be saved. Not to be served but to serve.
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). And I’ll try to do the same. Baruch haShem.
I go back and forth on this issue since the majority of people who say “Happy Holidays” to me are deliberately ignoring the fact that I … me … Nicky … I celebrate Christmas. Some of my co-workers think it’s funny to say “Happy Holidays” to me to see how I’d respond.
I find it insulting either way when the responses are intentional … my not acknowledging that someone else has a different belief system and vice versa.
Surprise those who mean to insult you with love! (Sorry they are picking on you for your belief.)
Merry Christmas … Though I say it all the time, I do think people waste a lot of time being angry at those who don’t….so I love this and may have to forward it to some…wait! Am I doing the same then?
Merry Christmas, my dear. May Hashem bless you in all your coming and going, and may He be gracious to you and yours always!