Sigh.

Every year, there are loud, almost militant people who get very up in arms about “the war on Christmas.” They take to social media flaming about the designs of coffee cups, or they wear sweaters that proudly proclaim “I say MERRY CHRISTMAS, not happy holidays.” 

C’mon. Is there really a war on Christmas, or do these people just need to be right about something?

No one is trying to take Christmas away from you

Christmas has always been rooted in the celebration of Jesus’ birth, even if it’s not literally on the day of His birth. Actually, it hasn’t even always been that. Much of what we consider Christmas tradition is actually borrowed from Yuletide, a much more ancient and pagan holiday. But that’s not the point. 

Christmas as we know it in America and the Western world is the time of year to reflect on the birth of Jesus and His gift of salvation from death to mankind.

So, let’s focus on that! Seriously, let’s try focusing on that instead of inventing wars on Christmas that no one really cares about except for a few angry people.

The problem with the war-on-Christmas mentality is that it misses the point of Christmas. Frankly, American Christmas tradition is more about materialism than it is about Christ, and this goes for many of those people who proudly proclaim “merry Christmas” instead of “happy holidays.”

Jesus never asked us to start a brand in His name. He doesn’t need a coffee cup to say “Christmas” on it. He wants us to give Him our hearts and to love Him and our neighbors as He commanded us to do. This means being patient and understanding with people who don’t have the same reverence for this time of year that you do.

Seriously, ask yourself who is more likely to make a breakthrough with someone in the name of Jesus: someone who celebrates with other people in joy and camaraderie regardless of what term they use? Or someone who yells at someone for saying “happy holidays”?

We’re not going to get into the answer here. You already know it. 

Oh. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone!

Centerpoint Church is ready to walk with you on your faith journey

At Centerpoint, our community believes in purpose and passion, and we would love to walk with you on your journey in finding yours. We are currently going through a new sermon series titled “To Hell With Normal.” It’s all about redefining what we consider normal in life as we seek to make our lives more like the way Jesus would have them to be. 

Do you want to grow in your faith or are simply curious about who this Jesus guy is? You’re not alone. We encourage you to listen to our series online and welcome you to come to one of our Sunday morning services in Valrico, Florida.