Sunday, December 24, 2006
Winning the Christmas Battle?
Now that Christmas is here, it is easy to look back at the preceding weeks and declare Christians as winners in the latest round over Christmas. A year ago things were looking bleak as some major retailers were substituting "Happy Holidays" for "Merry Christmas". Since then these politically-correct sensitive merchants decided that it was bad business. So "Merry Christmas" was eagerly heard at Wal-Mart and other places.
Also this year we saw further evidences of advancements for those who want to see the public recognition of Christianity maintained. For example, at Seattle-Tacoma airport the religiously inert Christmas trees were taken down when someone complained, but were quickly restored when the majority cried foul.
So, does this mean that the battle for Christmas is over?
Hardly. The topic is still one of great debate and there are many places in our society where the trappings of Christianity are not warmly accepted or even tolerated. This certainly bothers many who will not be content until the Christian faith returns to the public square.
But, assuming for a minute that the battle over Christmas was a key victory for Christians, let us ask the question: Is this a good thing?
For the most part, not.
Is it really appropriate to assume that the secular celebration of a Christian celebration really has any spiritual significance? It may put some of the faithful at ease, but in the grand scheme of things it is delusional to think otherwise. Christianity can no longer claim that it is at the center of North American society. Instead, it increasingly operates at the fringes, requiring new ways to express itself meaningfully and to impact our world. It will happen through love and service, not through the establishment of Christian sub-culture.
As I asked last year, "Is it time to take Christ out of Christmas?" Despite the apparent moves this year, I think the answer is still Yes.
Also this year we saw further evidences of advancements for those who want to see the public recognition of Christianity maintained. For example, at Seattle-Tacoma airport the religiously inert Christmas trees were taken down when someone complained, but were quickly restored when the majority cried foul.
So, does this mean that the battle for Christmas is over?
Hardly. The topic is still one of great debate and there are many places in our society where the trappings of Christianity are not warmly accepted or even tolerated. This certainly bothers many who will not be content until the Christian faith returns to the public square.
But, assuming for a minute that the battle over Christmas was a key victory for Christians, let us ask the question: Is this a good thing?
For the most part, not.
Is it really appropriate to assume that the secular celebration of a Christian celebration really has any spiritual significance? It may put some of the faithful at ease, but in the grand scheme of things it is delusional to think otherwise. Christianity can no longer claim that it is at the center of North American society. Instead, it increasingly operates at the fringes, requiring new ways to express itself meaningfully and to impact our world. It will happen through love and service, not through the establishment of Christian sub-culture.
As I asked last year, "Is it time to take Christ out of Christmas?" Despite the apparent moves this year, I think the answer is still Yes.
