War on Christmas!

OK I know some of you found this post because of the headline about the "War on Christmas" and expect me to rail about people using "Happy Holidays" instead of Merry Christmas.  Well let's get all historical here.

When this country was founded, the celebration of Christmas had been banned in England.  It was considered by the British Parliament "a popish festival with no biblical justification".  Take that Santa Clause!  Meanwhile in Boston, the celebration was actually banned from 1659 to 1681.

The Christmas celebration we know today is a relatively recent phenomenon. In 1843 When Charles Dickens wrote the now famous "A Christmas Carol" many thought the whole idea of Christmas was dying out. Because of Dickens. the expression "Merry Christmas" gained popularity and in a few decades became the mantra of the season.

Oh there was a feast dating back to the mid 300's, but previous to that the nativity was observed in late May.  The December 25 day was apparently settled on because of a legend that Mary conceived at the Spring Equinox, which would put the birth 9 months later on....Christmas Day.

So much for history, my point of the post is this.  If there is a war on Christmas it is being waged by the merchants and mainstream churches who capitalize on the holiday.  Christmas is big business, especially for churches.  Often the only time parishioners darken the church door is during Christmas.  (and maybe Easter).

Churches like the First Baptist Church of Dallas have used the "holy day" as an excuse for cheap publicity stunts like the "naughty and nice" website started to track all those "bad" folk who are saying "happy holidays" instead of "merry Christmas".  So I have to wonder if a cheap stunt like that is really appropriate to celebrate the birth of Christ?  And the whole Santa Clause thing?  Well it just equates greed with the birth of Christ, who I believe said, "blessed are the poor..." 

I love Christmas, and I love all the traditions and decorations and parties and carols, but I know the difference between the secular celebration we call Christmas and the real religious significance of the liturgical season.  Christmas should be a personal experience.  It is a sacred day in the church calendar and no matter what the talking heads on Fox News say, it is neither endangered or cheapened by someone saying Happy Holidays. 

I suspect if Jesus were to chime in on  the discussion He might wonder what all the fuss is about.  I feel pretty sure his greeting would be neither "happy Holidays" nor "Merry Christmas" but simple "Peace be with you."

And also with you.