Christmas Spirit

It seems I'm not going home this year for Christmas. I really, really wanted to. My Mom had a very nice plan for meeting members of both sides of my family, as different as they are. And there was someone I really wanted to see this year, but I won't go into that.

I want to talk about Christmas.

Every year now, we start hearing about the "War On Christmas" and other such silliness. Look, guys... someone requesting their holiday items be displayed isn't a war on Christmas. Nor is some random clerk saying "Happy Holiday" instead of "Merry Christmas".

You may not like the commercialization. I really don't, either. But you know what... Christians acted to make Christmas a national holiday. Note that we originally took the date and many customs from pagans in order to convert them. And also note that the likely reason they made it national was to win more converts.

But whatever their motives, they gave the USA, Christians and non-Christians a holiday about family, giving to others and good will. Maybe those that aren't Christians don't do things exactly as some would want. But they gave a wonderful nation a day to celebrate wonderful things.


Can you really think of a more Christian act than that? Let them enjoy that good will. The best witness is living a good life. Don't worry about which holiday greeting they give you. See if they are extending good will in the spirit of the day you gave them.

If they are... that should be the best Christmas gift any Christian can get. That their faith in some way inspired good will even in non-believers.

And hey... toys aren't only commercial... they are fun. Just remember to let them play with the boxes AND the gift wrapping! Kids find the fun in almost anything. That itself is a gift that any adult can learn from.