The Gifts of the Magi Were Not Purchased at the Mall

I didn’t really want to write this post because, frankly, I think some people won’t like it, and I like when people like me and the things I have to say. I also don’t especially want to stir the pot on a divisive issue. However, I just keep hearing and thinking about this debate, so I felt like I should probably just go for it. Here goes…

I am really tired of the debate about saying “Merry Christmas” versus “Happy Holidays.” To me, it’s tedious, argumentative and misses the proverbial forest for the Christmas tree. “Merry Christmas” are not magic words. They don’t appear in the Bible. They mean enjoy celebrating the Mass, or church celebration, of Christ’s birth. In theory we should be saying Happy Advent until December 25th (which is an arbitrary date), but that’s another post.

It is true that Christmas in its purest and original form is a religious holiday, but we also celebrate a host of traditions that have nothing to do with Christ or the Nativity story. I’m pretty sure that Santa was not at the birth of Jesus, there probably wasn’t a Christmas tree and the shepherds weren’t wearing ugly sweaters and gobbling gingerbread men. My point is, there are both secular and spiritual traditions associated with Christmas in this country and around the world.

I see it as the job of the Church and followers of Christ to uphold the important spiritual traditions and their meanings inherent in the story of the birth of Christ. I don’t understand getting angry at retailers for their secular portrayal of Christmas. These are businesses. They want to make money. They are going to do whatever they think will do that, so they cast as wide a net as possible. Why are we looking to Wal-Mart to set the theological pace for our lives? This is ludicrous. Personally, I think the co-opting and commercialization of Christmas for profit is far more offensive than someone saying “Happy Holidays.” I’m fine with the fact that most of the current retail ads leave Christ out of their messages because sweaters and video games on sale have nothing to do with the spiritual meaning of Christmas.

For those that celebrate the spiritual traditions and meanings of Christmas (a group in which I am included), I would like to suggest an alternate approach. Instead of getting angry at them for ruining Christmas, let’s find positive and productive ways to uphold and share the meaning of Christmas with as many as we can. Let’s look at our own actions first and see what we can do to spread hope, grace, peace and goodwill toward all.


"Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem."  ~ Linus Van Pelt, A Charlie Brown Christmas