Why Are We So Offended When People Say Happy Holidays?

Happy/Blessed Christmas | This Journey Through Life

 

Many Christians are upset because people say, “Happy holidays” over “Merry Christmas”, and call it “winter break” instead of “Christmas break”.

Their argument? People are hostile against Christianity and are trying to take Christ out of Christmas.

Or everything, even.

It’s so easy to also get caught up in “defending the cause” as a Christian, and being proud to say “Merry Christmas” over “Happy holidays”.

But is this the point?

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Let’s go back a step and think about all of this for a moment.

Christmas. The day we celebrate Jesus’ birth.

We celebrate His birth – His appearance into our world in the flesh – to show us, teach us, save us.

We are filled with joy, celebrating HIM. Celebrating that He came to earth, and why He came here. But, are we?

Often, so much of the “other stuff” that goes on during this time of year gets in our way and distracts.

The pretty decorations. The wrapping paper/gift bags. The weather (dreaming of a white Christmas, anyone?). The food (Christmas cookies! Candies! Fudge! what’s for dinner?).

The parties. The cards. The shopping. The lights.

Taking the kids to get their picture with Santa. The spending of money on others to give them a gift on the pretext that we are following Jesus’ example of giving us the greatest gift, of His life.

Meanwhile, we aren’t really focusing on Jesus much of the time, if at all. Are we?

Other people may be hurting – with loved ones in the hospital, loved ones having just passed on, severe injuries or illnesses going on, people losing jobs and homes, and much more.

NONE of this changes Jesus being Jesus.

ALL of this can and probably will make a person’s Christmas be less than merry.

When we put our focus where it belongs – on Jesus, and not on having a merry day – things are brought much more into true focus.

Christmas is STILL Christmas – because of Jesus – whether or not things around us are making us merry. (And doesn’t merry sound more like a sentiment from Santa? Who is also not supposed to be the center of Christmas.)

So, friend, when someone wishes you either a Merry Christmas or happy holidays, wish them either a Jesus-filled Christmas or happy holidays. Without cringing and feeling defensive.

You can tell who is ready for which.

Those who say, “happy holidays” may not know Jesus – and for those people, we can pray.

We must not judge them because we think they may be trying to remove Jesus from His day.

They can never do that.

We can always bring light to the darkness with our kind, non-judgmental, prayer-filled responses.

Jesus loves them just like He loves us. Let’s gently change our world and leave them wanting more of what (Who) we have.

Jesus. It’s all about Him.

Have a Jesus-filled, blessed Christmas. And Happy holidays!

Why Are We So Offended When People Say Happy Holidays?