Imaginary Rivals

Happy Holidays! Seasons Greetings!

Some of you are probably cringing right now. She’s a Christian. Why didn’t she say Merry Christmas? You can’t have Christmas without Christ! And yes, we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of good Saint Nick in our house.

We’ve all heard the controversy surrounding the proper way to state your holiday salutations, and frankly, I don’t get it! I may make enemies here, and although it’s not my intention, I’m willing to risk it.

I’ve seen people get very angry when wished Happy Holidays. In a hostile tone, they respond with Merry Christmas (emphasis on the Christ part). Now if I say Merry Christmas in a hostile way, I’m pretty sure it takes the “merry” out of it, but that’s just me. Folks respond as though you’ve just told them to take a long walk off a short pier!

And, oh my, if you’re a person who allows your child to believe in the magic of Santa Claus, some Christians treat you like a freak of nature. According to Wikipedia, the legend of Santa Claus is based upon the man of Saint Nicholas who is revered by Catholics and Orthodox Christians all over the world as a gift giver. Sounds like a nice guy.

Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I know that the meaning of our Christmas celebration is to commemorate the birth of our precious Savior with His humble beginnings. That is what we believe and what we teach our children. However, Santa Claus is everywhere this time of the year, and I think he’s a happy looking guy. My precious children think so too.

I’d actually never remembered believing in Santa as a child, and for some reason Mimi does. She asked questions based upon what she’d heard from other kids. I actually enjoy believing in the magic of Santa through her and now Xavier. It’s fun. Last year we put out reindeer food. Perhaps Santa will get cookies this year. We’re definitely not too traditional in our Santa rituals! I think this jolly guy is as harmless as the Easter Bunny, Goldilocks or the Tooth Fairy.

While the greatest gift of all came to Earth in the form of a baby, many parents go into hock to buy Jr everything in the world. There are lights draped everywhere. The center of the party is a huge tree and unhealthy foods! My point is, why have we chosen to attack only Santa? Why not only give presents to others in need and receive nothing? How “merry” would that be? We know that we are seldom buying things that we need any way. Why not avoid unhealthy Christmas cookies and eat only vegetables? Sounds silly right? That’s my point.

Christians are very good at alienating others. Christmas is another opportunity for us to do so. If a non-Christian tells me Happy Holidays and asks what I want from Santa, I have a choice in how I respond. I can happily wish them Happy Holidays and tell them that I’ve already received the greatest gift. I can also say that I wouldn’t mind a laptop to go along with it! Or, I can glare at him, say Merry Christmas , and make sure he knows that Santa is evil! With approach number two, you also need to forget that the person is Jewish and celebrates Hanukkah. This is why I don’t mind Happy Holidays. There are other celebrations taking place during this time of the year, and this allows us to acknowledge them without leaving anyone out, except Scrooge or the Grinch maybe.

No fictional character can rival the truth of Jesus Christ. Not in birth or in death. Santa and Jesus can peacefully coexist in our home. At least for now…