To some, this may seem like a ridiculous question and to others this question is of the upmost importance. It is one that has recently been asked by an increasing number of Christians with the help of folks like Liberty Counsel and Focus on the Family. Liberty Counsel recently released their “Naughty and Nice” list indicating which retailers do not recognize Christmas (“naughty”) and which do (“nice”) as part of their Friend or Foe campaign while Focus on the Family launched a new website allowing consumers to rate how Christmas-friendly retailers are. That way, when we go shopping, we know it is going to be with a retailer who doesn’t offend us by saying “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings.”
After all, if we’re going to indulge our consumerist greed on the occasion of the birth of our Savior, we need to make sure we’re doing it with those retailers who say words we like, right?
Well, now that I’ve said that, you probably guessed that my answer to the question is, “No, we shouldn’t care.” But if you’re on the other side of the fence, allow me to explain why I feel this way:
Only Pharisees Clean the Outside of Cups While Leaving the Insides Filthy
As I’ve noted elsewhere, Jesus and Paul were both surprisingly silent on how secular culture conducted itself. Paul even went so far as to say that the Christian has no business judging those outside of the Church (1 Corinthians 5:12-13). This exposes our faulty thinking. You see, the only reason why we care about whether secular businesses say “Merry Christmas” rather than “Happy Holidays” is because for some reason we expect non-Christians to act like Christians. Even worse, we actually want non-Christians to act like Christians and are willing to throw around our collective weight to ensure that it happens.
So what’s the problem with that? It is a self-defeating goal. It is like tolerance…if it works, there is no reason to solve the real problem – in this case, their unbelief and/or their unwillingness to commit to Christ. Jesus said that this was cleaning outside of the cup while leaving the inside (the part that matters) filthy. He said that to the Pharisees (Matthew 23:25-26). Do we really want to go down this road?
Boycotting Non-Christian Retailers Sends The Wrong Message
I’m surprised that neither Liberty Counsel or Focus on the Family ever stopped to ask this simple question, but that’s okay, I’ll ask it for them:
What message is being sent to those “naughty” retailers when Christians boycott their stores?
There are a few that come to mind: do what we want or else; if you don’t cater to us exclusively, we’ll take offense; we will love you if/we will hate you if; etc. But guess which one isn’t being communicated? That’s right, the Gospel message – you know, the one that says that even while we were sinners, Christ died for us? The one that says that God loves us no matter what we do? That the gift of salvation is readily available to anyone who will believe and repent, committing to follow Jesus and make him Lord?
You know, the one that we are to be preaching at all times, in all circumstances, to all people?
Turns out, when we’re busy boycotting people and throwing our weight around to ensure their demise, we cannot simultaneously communicate the love of God to them. Now, I’m not saying that by giving them your money, you are communicating the Gospel to them. I’m just saying that boycotting them doesn’t communicate it and it can’t. At the very least, if you were to shop at one of these retailers, you could communicate the Gospel to the employees there and that could turn the business around.
Which brings another point to the forefront: just because a retailer doesn’t say “Merry Christmas” doesn’t mean there aren’t Christians employed there. And if you’re boycotting the retailer, are you not also harming your brothers and sisters in Christ by ensuring the business, and by extension the employees, don’t make as much money? We could be putting other Christians out of work for the sake of two words.
Is it worth it?
It Is A Distraction From Our Real Goal
Just after Jesus was resurrected he appeared to his disciples and gave them these instructions:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
I just cannot square this “Merry Christmas” uproar with the Great Commission. I cannot see how boycotting retailers for not saying words we like is creating disciples. Can you? Can you tell me how this is advancing the Kingdom of God? Can you tell me how God is pleased with us when we bully non-Christian retailers into “respecting” Christian beliefs to the exclusion of all others? Can you tell me why Jesus would engage in this type of activity?
If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
What do you think? Is the phrase “Merry Christmas” important enough for us to pick a fight about it? Why or why not?
I am in agreement with you. Why would we expect “non-Christians”to follow our Christian standards. Battles of this nature simply bring division rather than allowing us to do the work we are called to do!
By: Margaret on December 9, 2009
at 11:04 PM
I seriously do not understand why they get so upset! They are not the only religion in this world and they need to understand this. I myself am not Christian so I rather appreciate them saying Happy Holidays. Saying Happy Holidays is the retailers way to include all the religious holidays at this time of year. If you are a true Christian do what your Bible tells you and stop judging!
By: Tracy on December 9, 2009
at 11:36 PM
I’m a graduate of Liberty University, so in a sense the folks at Liberty Council are “my people.”
That being said, I have a hard time defending an aspect of Christmas that isn’t actually religious. There’s nothing about giving gifts on the scale that we give them, decorating a tree, eating turkey, etc. that has anything to do with the Incarnation.
I would love to see Christians turn their back on the vulgarity and ruckus of contemporary Christmas, including singing Christmas trees, television Christmas specials, etc. It’s mostly just nasty and awful.
I tend to see the “War on Christmas” as generally alarmist: sure enough “Happy Holidays” is trite and bland, but the Incarnation has nothing to do with what sales people say in stores. Saying “Merry Christmas” just continues in a false association of Christmas with its various pagan trappings.
Finally, while I understand people wanting to celebrate the Incarnation as part of the liturgical year, I don’t see anything in Scripture to suggest that Christians are supposed to celebrate it. It’s just another pagan accretion. So I’m surprised that back-to-the-Bible types like the Falwell organization are so hot about this issue.
Or maybe disappointed; I’m just jaded enough to suspect that the War on Christmas is less about honoring the Incarnation than about various conservative organizations reminding potential donors that they exist and need money.
By: MDSF on December 10, 2009
at 8:37 AM
Christians are fighting the wrong battle. Our mission here on earth is to win others to Christ. Boycotting, insisting on having our own way, etc., only reinforces the world’s opinion that Christians are judgmental, unloving, and unkind.
In addition, a lot of retail stores are owned by Jews, to whom the name of Jesus is an offense. Why would we expect them to honor Christ? Yes, they will sell Christmas merchandise because it profits them, but that doesn’t mean they “believe” in Christmas.
Christmas is both a secular and a religious holiday. It’s Jesus and Santa, shepherds and snowmen, wreaths and angels. Christmas is a man-made holiday. Nowhere in scripture does God proclaim we celebrate his Son’s birth. My goodness, we don’t even celebrate it at the right time of year! Christmas originated when the early church “Christianized” a pagan holiday. So for us to insist it’s all about Christ is not entirely true.
By: Linda on December 10, 2009
at 10:27 AM
Great post Ken. Amen and amen.
By: Hutch on December 10, 2009
at 12:43 PM
Thanks all for your comments. I am glad that we can find a sense of solidarity as we seek to reclaim Christianity for what it is supposed to be.
Since many of your are first-time commenters (Firefox tells me that’s not a word, but I am going to use it anyways!), please consider this a formal invitation to continue walking with us and tossing in your input as well.
I blog weekly and would love for us to become, in all manners, co-laborers.
Blessings!
By: Ken Eastburn on December 10, 2009
at 1:13 PM
I found this blog while I was reading Crosstalk; and I am impressed with your “take” on the subjects you’ve discussed. It’s refreshing to not read the “same-old, same-old’ that seems to be prevalent in 4 out of 5 blogs.
I will be putting a link to your blog on mine, and I would like your permission to copy this article (with full credit to you, of course). Thanks
By: markcrisafi on December 10, 2009
at 2:52 PM
Hi Marcrisafi,
Thanks so much for the compliment! I would be honored if you put a link on your blog and appreciate you reposting this article on your blog as well.
Thank you!
By: Ken Eastburn on December 10, 2009
at 3:11 PM
As far as I can tell, the reasoning behind all this anger and boycotting is a basic misunderstanding of the Great Commission. Somehow, the Dominionist/ Kingdom Now/Reconstructionists/ Thocracists/PostMillenial people seem to think the command to “make disciples of all nations” means, by force. So, this world needs to be “christianized”, per Jesus’ command ,and then He will come to find an overcoming, triumphant army of Christians who have prepared the kingdom for Christ. Ican’t see the point in forcing unbelievers to act like Christians- that just makes them hostile to the true Gospel, or even immune as they may think since they are behaving correctly, they don’t need Christ.
This mindset shows why a persons end-times beliefs do matter.
Jodi
By: jodi helm on December 11, 2009
at 7:09 AM
i agree with the post as well. not sure if these thoughts pertain to this post.
want to spread good cheer all year long? when you are at the checkout lane be sure to tell the cashier “GOD bless you” some people will look at you funny, but a majority will appreciate you saying it, and some will even say thank you.
the 3rd of the Ten Commandments says ” do not take the name of the LORD your GOD
By: chuck on December 11, 2009
at 4:25 PM
in vain for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes HIS name in vain.
people assume that cussing and saying GODS name is all this is about. i would like to add that if we call ourselves CHRISTians and act very differently according to HIS word; are we not taking the NAME above all names in vain?
are we doing this as we insist that stores say merry CHRISTmas? how many stores are closed on sunday anymore? should that be a litmus test also? the list could be endless
By: chuck on December 11, 2009
at 4:32 PM
And along with saying, “God bless you”, we can hand the checker a gospel tract.
By: Rose on December 11, 2009
at 5:14 PM
I never looked at it like that…I recently started looking for a new Church because I feel like it was ran by pharassees ….God bless you for your insights and willingness to share it!!
By: Garrett on December 13, 2009
at 8:33 AM
The Liberal Left (now calling themselves progressive) is progressively trying to erase God in every way they can. Religion is slowly being removed from our way of life….schools, money, speech, organizations, student loans and grants…..Please pay attentiion to what is going on in your country. If you spend money in these stores you are giving them money to remove religion. Look at the texts books…..religion is being replaced with Global….
By: sammy on December 16, 2009
at 12:38 PM
Sammy,
Thanks so much for your response. I always appreciate it when someone shares an opinion different from mine. Without struggle, we cease to grow.
The contention I have with what you said is that no matter how hard the Liberal Left works, true disciples will always remain. In other words, the religion that they are removing is not true religion. Saying “Merry Christmas” doesn’t make someone a Christian nor is it an indication that they care at all about Jesus Christ.
So if they want to get rid of this type of surface Christianity, why should we fret about it? You and I will still have our faith and so will all of the others who continue to actually profess Jesus as Lord. And should they turn their efforts towards actual disciples and begin persecuting us, we should rejoice.
The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. In the same way they treated the prophets of old and our Lord himself. Why should we resist joining him in his sufferings?
By: Ken Eastburn on December 16, 2009
at 1:24 PM
Dear sammy: thanks for your comment above. Can you please tell me how the pieces you describe above fit together?
In particular, how is buying gifts a religious observance? In what way are the stores removing religion? And what stores are giving money to who on the political left?
And finally, how do you erase God? The Bible says nobody has seen God at any time. How can you erase someone who is invisible?
I enjoy the benefits of living in a country that doesn’t have a state religion (unless you want to count American civil religion) and pretends that all religions are the same. The downside is that my religion isn’t the state religion and isn’t revered as being the one true religion. It’s a fiction I live with to avoid having the state pick the wrong religion and make me support and honor it.
Do you do any differently?
By: MDSF on December 16, 2009
at 1:30 PM
I believe a more appropriate question is “Why do Christians celebrate Christmas?” Consider the following:
• There is no biblical command to celebrate the birth of Christ.
• There is no evidence that the early church celebrated the birth of Christ.
• Christ wasn’t born in the winter.
• The establishment of Christmas was designed to “Christianize” pagan holidays (e.g. the Roman feast of Saturnalia).
• Many of the common Christmas accoutrements have pagan significance (e.g. evergreen tree symbolized eternal life, mistletoe has been linked to pagan fertility rites).
Really, with the exception of the first six letters of the word, Christ has nothing to do with Christmas. Neither He or His Father sponsored it. Perhaps its time we ought to keep Christ out of Christmas.
By: seamusa on December 18, 2009
at 9:13 AM
Expanded on this a bit further with Reverse Discrimination of Christmas: http://richardtgarner.blogspot.com/2010/01/reverse-discrimination-of-christmas.html
By: Rick Garner on January 2, 2010
at 12:53 AM