It's Christmas!

That time of the year – again. Controversy appears to sell. Is it Christmas? Or Holidays?

According to CNN’s Live vote this morning there were 18,826 responses to the question “How should retailers mark the holiday season?” The answer for 60% is “Merry Christmas”, 25% a mixture of “Merry Christmas; Happy Holidays”, and only 15% for “Happy Holidays”, without mentioning Christmas. I’ve watched this site for a couple of days and the “Merry Christmas” responses continue to grow.

My own choice is none of the above. I think specific mention of Christmas and Hanukkah and Eid would be appropriate – if those are your market. If the retailer doesn’t care, just call the marketing ploy Winter Sales. Why attach the word holiday at all? That’s what many schools have done.

For me, the focus in December is Christmas. A strange word for an evangelical – Christ’s Mass – but that’s the correct focus. The celebration is all about religion. The religion is all about Christ.

I read a letter to an editor several years ago where a woman was incensed following her attendance of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. She wanted to know why she had not been warned that the show would include the Christmas story, complete with manger.

Why? Did this adult woman not know the source of the word Christmas? The show wasn’t named a Winter Spectacular. And, it returns year after year after year, continuing to include the story we wish to celebrate.

The who and why:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 KJV)

The how:

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11 KJV)

The gratitude:

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV)