An “old friend” from real life reappeared as a “new friend” on Facebook just in time to read my last blog. His response via e-mail shed light on an issue that is closely related to my remarks. I’d like to acknowledge his views and attempt to bring the two issues into harmony.
My friend has been subjected to anti-Christian bias on several occasions. As a teenager, his efforts to start a Christian club on campus were met with opposition by ignorant people. A few years ago, he was criticized for wishing others a “Merry Christmas” at work. In light of the fact that people of faith are being deprived of their civil rights across America with increasing frequency, my friend felt that my blog made light of a serious issue. He was particularly offended by my reference to the “Crusades.”
There have been an increasing number of attacks on Christian liberty, freedom of speech, and religious expression in recent years. Children and young people have been denied the right to express their faith in school. Crosses, nativity scenes, and other religious symbols have been stripped from public properties. And yes, people have been prohibited from saying, “Merry Christmas” on the job.
As I prepared my blog, I was not thinking of this on-going attack on Christian liberties . . . I was focusing on the more recent attack by Christians on business and people who choose to avoid the word Christmas. I think it is absurd to be Christ-o-phobic, but I believe we might do well to grant others the right to express their non-Christian, secular views.
It’s like two sides of a coin. Freedom of speech and religious (or non-religions) expression is the issue. On one side of the coin, Christians have a right to express their faith publicly. On the other side, non-Christians have a right to express their unbelief publicly.
As I understand history, good “Christian” men from Western Europe moved across Europe to the Middle East to liberate the Holy Land, killing hundreds of thousands of people in the course of their “crusades.” I chose to equate recent attacks on Target, Costco, Old Navy, and other companies to the crusades. Why do we demand that commercial interests say “Merry Christmas” when their only interest is profit? What have we really gained when they capitulate to pressure and begin using the word “Christmas” again? Are they closer to Christ? Is Jesus Christ really honored?
It is an entirely different matter to defend one’s homeland from invasion by hostile forces, which is what we do when we defend religious expression. I believe you and I ought to have the right to say “Merry Christmas” in schools and at work!
Costco, it’s OK to say “happy holidays!” My friend, you have a right to say “Merry Christmas!”
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Is it OK not to say Merry Christmas?
There’s a new “Holy War.” Like in the crusades of old, Christians have donned their armor, mounted their valiant steeds, and marched out to do battle with the enemies of Christmas. Or maybe it’s more like a huge ideological tug of war.
On one side we have a secular society that depends upon the economic surge that comes with Christmas. The commercial entities need the seasonal profits just to survive another year. Granted, there are plenty of “anti-christs” who are happy to avoid the use of the C-word. This side eagerly declares, “Happy Holidays!” and “Season’s Greetings!”
On the other side we have a broad spectrum of religious people who are sorely offended by such an obvious refusal to pay lip service to the religious roots of the season. So this side tugs on the “rope” crying “Keep Christ in Christmas!” and “It’s called Christmas with a Capital C!”
The secular side tugs on the rope because it fears offending people of non-Christians faith . . . Jews, Muslims, Atheists, etc. For many, profits are the real reason for the season.
I’ve had my turn tugging on the rope, but now I’m not wondering about our position. What does the world think while it watches the tug of war? Do they see angry Christians fighting about words? Does the world wonder why our “Christ” can’t defend himself?
Christmas has become a monster, and good “Christian” people have contributed to its creation. We put up our lights, decorate our trees, shop ‘till we drop, and exchange our gifts. We’ve sold out to the same secular impulses! Why are we fighting so fervently over what non-believers call a holiday that really seems to have very little to do with the Birth of Jesus!
We are supposed to be celebrating the birth of Jesus. Why don’t we get rid of all the commercial and cultural fluff that has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus? Why don’t we call it “advent” or “the nativity” and quietly honor the Lord with worship, adoration, and simple, heartfelt expressions of appreciation? Why don’t we focus on loving the Lord, then concentrate on showing the world around us that we are a gracious, loving people who can be wonderfully happy in our faith without freaking out when someone wishes us “Happy Holidays!”
I just don’t want to fight anymore!
On one side we have a secular society that depends upon the economic surge that comes with Christmas. The commercial entities need the seasonal profits just to survive another year. Granted, there are plenty of “anti-christs” who are happy to avoid the use of the C-word. This side eagerly declares, “Happy Holidays!” and “Season’s Greetings!”
On the other side we have a broad spectrum of religious people who are sorely offended by such an obvious refusal to pay lip service to the religious roots of the season. So this side tugs on the “rope” crying “Keep Christ in Christmas!” and “It’s called Christmas with a Capital C!”
The secular side tugs on the rope because it fears offending people of non-Christians faith . . . Jews, Muslims, Atheists, etc. For many, profits are the real reason for the season.
I’ve had my turn tugging on the rope, but now I’m not wondering about our position. What does the world think while it watches the tug of war? Do they see angry Christians fighting about words? Does the world wonder why our “Christ” can’t defend himself?
Christmas has become a monster, and good “Christian” people have contributed to its creation. We put up our lights, decorate our trees, shop ‘till we drop, and exchange our gifts. We’ve sold out to the same secular impulses! Why are we fighting so fervently over what non-believers call a holiday that really seems to have very little to do with the Birth of Jesus!
We are supposed to be celebrating the birth of Jesus. Why don’t we get rid of all the commercial and cultural fluff that has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus? Why don’t we call it “advent” or “the nativity” and quietly honor the Lord with worship, adoration, and simple, heartfelt expressions of appreciation? Why don’t we focus on loving the Lord, then concentrate on showing the world around us that we are a gracious, loving people who can be wonderfully happy in our faith without freaking out when someone wishes us “Happy Holidays!”
I just don’t want to fight anymore!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Another Pastor Confesses!
I have an embarrassing confession to make . . .
For a number of years I have been engaging in activity that some Christians believe is spiritually inappropriate and compromising, especially for a pastor. I once had a family leave the church because they caught me performing this horrifying habit. It's not a problem most of the year, but I give in to the temptation early in November every year. This has been going on for at least seven years . . . or maybe it started . . .
In 1992, while between pastoral positions (waiting for “the big church” to call), I took a job as a Santa in the nearby mall. I was working as a certificated sub in a local school district, trying to make ends meet. So, playing Santa during the Christmas vacation was a good economic decision. It was tough work, but I enjoyed it!
About 10 years later, two years after arriving in Templeton, I was asked to play Santa at the “Cowboy Christmas” sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce in the local park. I rode in on a restored stage coach. Hundreds of people cheered and waved as I belted out my best “Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!” I was hooked!
For the past three years I’ve been Santa for Christmas activities hosted by a local foster care, family-intervention agency.
This year I will make a total of four appearances as Santa Claus. I work full-time in a secular job. I fill many nights and all weekends with my pastoral ministry. Do I really have time to hop around in a red suit hollering “Ho! Ho! Ho!”? So, why do I do it? SOMEBODY, PLEASE TELL ME WHY!
They line up and wait. One at a time, the children come forward. I squint at each one (a “Santa smile”) and say “Hello, thank you for coming to see Santa!” For a moment, each kid has my attention. I ask them if they’ve been good and encourage them to help their family with chores. I ask them about school and tell them an education is important. Of course, I ask them what they want for Christmas. I tell them to keep up the good work. And then I wish them a Merry Christmas . . . something you won’t hear in many places today!
Being Santa for foster kids is especially rewarding . . . the experience is almost inexpressible. Imagine asking a little boy what he wants for Christmas, and he says, “I want my mom to get off drugs.” Imagine a little girl saying, “I want my family to be together again!” When I volunteer with the foster care organization, I actually tell the kids, “Merry Christmas and God bless you!”
So, I play Santa because I believe. I believe I’m a good Santa. I believe I’m telling fellow members of the Chamber of Commerce that Reverend Purdy and his congregation care about the community. I believe I’m doing something that is strangely akin to Jesus taking the children in his arms and blessing them. Each child reminds me that the Kingdom belongs to “such as these.” I believe God is pleased with my service as a Santa.
That’s why I do it.
For a number of years I have been engaging in activity that some Christians believe is spiritually inappropriate and compromising, especially for a pastor. I once had a family leave the church because they caught me performing this horrifying habit. It's not a problem most of the year, but I give in to the temptation early in November every year. This has been going on for at least seven years . . . or maybe it started . . .
In 1992, while between pastoral positions (waiting for “the big church” to call), I took a job as a Santa in the nearby mall. I was working as a certificated sub in a local school district, trying to make ends meet. So, playing Santa during the Christmas vacation was a good economic decision. It was tough work, but I enjoyed it!
About 10 years later, two years after arriving in Templeton, I was asked to play Santa at the “Cowboy Christmas” sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce in the local park. I rode in on a restored stage coach. Hundreds of people cheered and waved as I belted out my best “Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!” I was hooked!
For the past three years I’ve been Santa for Christmas activities hosted by a local foster care, family-intervention agency.
This year I will make a total of four appearances as Santa Claus. I work full-time in a secular job. I fill many nights and all weekends with my pastoral ministry. Do I really have time to hop around in a red suit hollering “Ho! Ho! Ho!”? So, why do I do it? SOMEBODY, PLEASE TELL ME WHY!
They line up and wait. One at a time, the children come forward. I squint at each one (a “Santa smile”) and say “Hello, thank you for coming to see Santa!” For a moment, each kid has my attention. I ask them if they’ve been good and encourage them to help their family with chores. I ask them about school and tell them an education is important. Of course, I ask them what they want for Christmas. I tell them to keep up the good work. And then I wish them a Merry Christmas . . . something you won’t hear in many places today!
Being Santa for foster kids is especially rewarding . . . the experience is almost inexpressible. Imagine asking a little boy what he wants for Christmas, and he says, “I want my mom to get off drugs.” Imagine a little girl saying, “I want my family to be together again!” When I volunteer with the foster care organization, I actually tell the kids, “Merry Christmas and God bless you!”
So, I play Santa because I believe. I believe I’m a good Santa. I believe I’m telling fellow members of the Chamber of Commerce that Reverend Purdy and his congregation care about the community. I believe I’m doing something that is strangely akin to Jesus taking the children in his arms and blessing them. Each child reminds me that the Kingdom belongs to “such as these.” I believe God is pleased with my service as a Santa.
That’s why I do it.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
310project
I’m blogging! Will wonders never cease?
Why? I know a number of people who blog, but most of them are proven and published writers, which is a viable reason to blog. My son, Homer III, blogs . . . maybe I just want to be like my son!
WWJD? Imagine a first century with the internet . . . would Jesus blog? You might catch his latest teaching at “RabbifromGalilee.blogspot.com.”
What would Jesus blog? Jesus might publish the beatitudes . . . or a parable . . . can you imagine logging on to the first century internet and reading His latest blog: “Woe to You Scribes, Pharisees!”
Paul was an apostle with a proclivity for epistles; no doubt he would have blogged a few messages about matters on his heart. Well, he probably would have dictated his thoughts to a geek-scribe.
There’s no convincing reason for my decision to blog . . . perhaps I can provoke some thought and a little dialog. Maybe there will be some entertainment value to my blog. For some it might be like watching the early auditions for American Idol . . . I can do fingernails on a chalkboard real well! (For those of you who have no idea what a chalkboard is, you’ve missed the thrill of a lifetime!)
The most challenging aspect of launching my own blog involved the choice of a title. I thought, “This will be easy . . . clickety, click, click, click, and submit . . . who would want that one?” Pause. “Sorry, that choice is not available; try again!” (This is me, staring at the screen, appearing comatose.) After three futile suggestions, a blog ID was finally accepted: 310project.
Anyone want to guess what that means? Post a comment!
Uh, no Son . . . it’s not the goal of my next diet. (Thanks. Thank you! Thanks a lot!) Actually, that was pretty close. It is a reference to a personal project.
I am a project. God’s still working on me. By His grace, I am His workmanship. He’s working in everything for my good, because I love Him and I’m called according to His purpose.
I’m trying to work with God. He wants me to be more like His Firstborn Son, and that’s what I want too! I surely don’t want to be uncooperative with God. I don’t want to be apathetic or disinterested either! I want to be a worker together with God in this project.
I am nurturing a heart that says, “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.” That’s from Philippians chapter three, verse ten. I believe that attitude will keep me in the place where God and I can work most effectively on our project.
Philippians 3:10 . . . I’m a project . . . 310project!
I want to know Jesus Christ more than ever before!
Why? I know a number of people who blog, but most of them are proven and published writers, which is a viable reason to blog. My son, Homer III, blogs . . . maybe I just want to be like my son!
WWJD? Imagine a first century with the internet . . . would Jesus blog? You might catch his latest teaching at “RabbifromGalilee.blogspot.com.”
What would Jesus blog? Jesus might publish the beatitudes . . . or a parable . . . can you imagine logging on to the first century internet and reading His latest blog: “Woe to You Scribes, Pharisees!”
Paul was an apostle with a proclivity for epistles; no doubt he would have blogged a few messages about matters on his heart. Well, he probably would have dictated his thoughts to a geek-scribe.
There’s no convincing reason for my decision to blog . . . perhaps I can provoke some thought and a little dialog. Maybe there will be some entertainment value to my blog. For some it might be like watching the early auditions for American Idol . . . I can do fingernails on a chalkboard real well! (For those of you who have no idea what a chalkboard is, you’ve missed the thrill of a lifetime!)
The most challenging aspect of launching my own blog involved the choice of a title. I thought, “This will be easy . . . clickety, click, click, click, and submit . . . who would want that one?” Pause. “Sorry, that choice is not available; try again!” (This is me, staring at the screen, appearing comatose.) After three futile suggestions, a blog ID was finally accepted: 310project.
Anyone want to guess what that means? Post a comment!
Uh, no Son . . . it’s not the goal of my next diet. (Thanks. Thank you! Thanks a lot!) Actually, that was pretty close. It is a reference to a personal project.
I am a project. God’s still working on me. By His grace, I am His workmanship. He’s working in everything for my good, because I love Him and I’m called according to His purpose.
I’m trying to work with God. He wants me to be more like His Firstborn Son, and that’s what I want too! I surely don’t want to be uncooperative with God. I don’t want to be apathetic or disinterested either! I want to be a worker together with God in this project.
I am nurturing a heart that says, “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.” That’s from Philippians chapter three, verse ten. I believe that attitude will keep me in the place where God and I can work most effectively on our project.
Philippians 3:10 . . . I’m a project . . . 310project!
I want to know Jesus Christ more than ever before!
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