For some time in America, the Christmas Season has meant long lines at the mall and the sound of every retailer’s all-time favorite Christmas song, "Ring-a-ding, ding," played by cash registers everywhere. One expert has estimated the average U.S. household will spend $490 on gifts this Christmas — not to mention travel, ham, and pumpkin pie. Saving a buck or two during this time of year has almost become unpatriotic.
Clearly the merchants’ view of Christmas saturates our society and runs counter to an accurate understanding of the holiday’s true meaning.
That has made this season’s hottest debate — "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays" —all the more confusing to me. Every November, some evangelicals along with the help of Bill O'Reilly and other media pundits, ramp up a campaign to force corporate America into marketing Christ’s birth.
How quickly we forget Christ’s admonitions regarding the blinding effects of wealth.
The argument of those pushing this issue simply states: If you don’t say "Merry Christmas" in your ads, we won’t shop at your stores. In making their case so virulently, these evangelicals err in at least three ways.
First, the argument seemingly embraces the commercialization of Christmas. No matter how an advertisement proclaims the season, "Buy our stuff," marks the true meaning of their message. The words "Merry Christmas" have the most impact when attached to their true biblical underpinnings — something those filled with the joy of Christ are called to spread. The marketing of "I say Merry Christmas" buttons and bumper stickers is definitively not what Christmas is all about.
Second, the argument seemingly longs for Target, Wal-Mart, and others to champion the cause of our Lord. While that’s an interesting, and perhaps pleasant thought, we must acknowledge Christ commissioned His disciples and His church with promulgating the gospel — not Fortune 500 companies. Wal-Mart’s job is selling milk, eggs, and remote controls at everyday low prices under a bright yellow smiley face.
Third, evangelicals must ask, "Do we lose a Christ-like spirit every time we demand others say ‘Merry Christmas’?" Convincing others of the unique, true, and exclusive gospel message proves challenging enough. We should not impede our efforts to share Christ by being overzealous in shopping only with "Christian" corporations and partnering with TV provocateurs who, at best, spin a blended, and therefore, false gospel.
I recently found myself at odds with a normally like-minded, conservative evangelical when this issue was broached. He was primarily upset that corporations are being intellectually dishonest by not specifically acknowledging "Christmas." His frustration grew from the fact that Lowe’s would be selling zero holiday items in December, if not for a celebration of Christ’s birth. On that point, he is correct. December’s other holidays were elevated, in part, as a response to the importance that Christmas has for many Americans. Nevertheless, even he conceded that instead of storming out to fight in the "war for Christmas," evangelicals should focus on personally demonstrating and speaking the love of Jesus Christ.
In America, Christians have the freedom to share the glorious gift of Jesus and should use it liberally. Thousands of Christians around the globe suffer martyrdom and imprisonment each year for sharing the truth of Christ. Meanwhile in America, we blame Target for our failure to reach those outside of Christianity. Let’s get real.
Fortunately, many evangelical Christians reject the incessant commercialization of Christmas and use this time to reflect on the wonderful event we celebrate each year in late December: Christ’s birth.
Yes, we buy presents for loved ones, but Christmas constitutes something deeper. Evangelicals should assist others in understanding that we give tokens to family and friends in acknowledgement of our joy for the ultimate gift God gave the world. In doing so, these evangelicals show an understanding that Jesus’ birth inextricably points to His life’s purpose: To seek and save that which was lost by means of His death and resurrection for sinners.
This Christmas, let us ignore any retailers’ refrain and refocus on being the Body of Christ. That will demonstrate true obedience to His Great Commission, and lead others to His eternal salvation. I pray you and yours have a very Merry Christmas this holiday season.
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