December 7th, 2023
(This post was originally published on December 14, 2021).
One recent flashpoint for the so-called “culture war” in America has been the greeting, “Happy Holidays.” Some Christians have tried to show that there has been a “war on Christmas” over the last few decades and that phrases like “happy holidays” and “season’s greetings” eclipse the true meaning of Christmas. Though Kirk Cameron set out to save Christmas back in 2014, still, the debate on which greeting to use rages on.
From a historical perspective, “Happy Holidays” has been around much longer than just a few decades. One recent investigation demonstrates that it goes back at least to 1863 in a column in the Philadelphia Inquirer. It was used in tobacco ads during World War II. And who can forget the classic Irving Berlin song, performed first by Bing Crosby in 1942, entitled “Happy Holidays”?
Personally, I have no qualms saying Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings, or Merry Christmas during the season that begins on Black Friday and ends on New Year’s Day (though I would stick with a hearty “Meerrrrrry Christmas!” on December 25th). Some of the holidays Americans celebrate – Thanksgiving, Christmas, Advent – have a clear Christian origin. Others – Hanukkah, Kwanza, New Year’s Day – don’t.
(By the way, as an aside I’d like to point out that insisting other people say “Merry Christmas” is a pretty weak apologetic method. Frankly, I could care less if people say “Merry Christmas,” because even many who do, celebrate Christmas in a very Christ-less way! Furthermore, there are some great, Christ-centered Christians who don’t make a big deal out of Christmas at all. And others, who banned it altogether.)
As you can tell, I’m not much into the “Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays” debate. I am, however, quite grateful for the bumper stickers and signs that say, “Keep Christ in Christmas.”
You know, the secularization and commercialism of Christmas is by no means a recent phenomenon. Even back in 1820, the great originator of the American short story, Washington Irving, longed for a more simple, less worldly, celebration.[1] Thirty years later, Harriet Beecher Stowe complained, “there are worlds of money wasted, at this time of year, in getting things that nobody cares for after they are got.”[2] The secularization of our society has only increased since then, and especially over the last few decades.
A survey in 2019 showed that only 35% of Americans say that their celebration of Christmas is “strongly religious,” while 58% celebrate Christmas with little or no religious observance.[3] Christmas is secular for the majority of Americans.
For this reason, true Christians need to be reminded to “Keep Christ in Christmas.” The truth is, we are much more like the exiles of Jeremiah’s day than the generation who conquered with Joshua. In a land that has given itself over to the idols of materialism, self-worship, profits, and pleasure, we who call ourselves Christians need to fix our gaze on Christ and His promises. That’s why this exhortation we often see on the back of someone’s car is helpful, “Keep Christ in Christmas.” The focus is inward, on Christians. Amid all the distractions, the commercialism, the busyness, the pressure to be like everyone else, keep Christ primary. Celebrate His mysterious and wonderful Incarnation. Praise Him for the significance and meaning of His earthly life – and death – for us. Remember the many prophecies that led up to His birth, and the many faithful who waited with anticipation for His coming. And look forward with hope to His soon return.
One final point – in an increasingly secular society that celebrates a secular Christmas, keeping Christ in Christmas requires intentionality. You have to go against the stream. In addition to the services we attend at church that focus on Christ, our family does an Advent calendar each year that gives 25 verses about Christ’s coming. Each night, we read a verse, talk about its significance, and sing a carol. On Christmas morning, we read the Christmas story from Matthew, Luke, or John. What are some creative ways that you have been able to intentionally keep Christ in Christmas? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
[1] The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon by Washington Irving: Christmas (online-literature.com)
[2] Christmas; or, The Good Fairy (americanliterature.com)
[3] More Americans Celebrating a Secular Christmas (gallup.com)
One recent flashpoint for the so-called “culture war” in America has been the greeting, “Happy Holidays.” Some Christians have tried to show that there has been a “war on Christmas” over the last few decades and that phrases like “happy holidays” and “season’s greetings” eclipse the true meaning of Christmas. Though Kirk Cameron set out to save Christmas back in 2014, still, the debate on which greeting to use rages on.
From a historical perspective, “Happy Holidays” has been around much longer than just a few decades. One recent investigation demonstrates that it goes back at least to 1863 in a column in the Philadelphia Inquirer. It was used in tobacco ads during World War II. And who can forget the classic Irving Berlin song, performed first by Bing Crosby in 1942, entitled “Happy Holidays”?
Personally, I have no qualms saying Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings, or Merry Christmas during the season that begins on Black Friday and ends on New Year’s Day (though I would stick with a hearty “Meerrrrrry Christmas!” on December 25th). Some of the holidays Americans celebrate – Thanksgiving, Christmas, Advent – have a clear Christian origin. Others – Hanukkah, Kwanza, New Year’s Day – don’t.
(By the way, as an aside I’d like to point out that insisting other people say “Merry Christmas” is a pretty weak apologetic method. Frankly, I could care less if people say “Merry Christmas,” because even many who do, celebrate Christmas in a very Christ-less way! Furthermore, there are some great, Christ-centered Christians who don’t make a big deal out of Christmas at all. And others, who banned it altogether.)
As you can tell, I’m not much into the “Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays” debate. I am, however, quite grateful for the bumper stickers and signs that say, “Keep Christ in Christmas.”
You know, the secularization and commercialism of Christmas is by no means a recent phenomenon. Even back in 1820, the great originator of the American short story, Washington Irving, longed for a more simple, less worldly, celebration.[1] Thirty years later, Harriet Beecher Stowe complained, “there are worlds of money wasted, at this time of year, in getting things that nobody cares for after they are got.”[2] The secularization of our society has only increased since then, and especially over the last few decades.
A survey in 2019 showed that only 35% of Americans say that their celebration of Christmas is “strongly religious,” while 58% celebrate Christmas with little or no religious observance.[3] Christmas is secular for the majority of Americans.
For this reason, true Christians need to be reminded to “Keep Christ in Christmas.” The truth is, we are much more like the exiles of Jeremiah’s day than the generation who conquered with Joshua. In a land that has given itself over to the idols of materialism, self-worship, profits, and pleasure, we who call ourselves Christians need to fix our gaze on Christ and His promises. That’s why this exhortation we often see on the back of someone’s car is helpful, “Keep Christ in Christmas.” The focus is inward, on Christians. Amid all the distractions, the commercialism, the busyness, the pressure to be like everyone else, keep Christ primary. Celebrate His mysterious and wonderful Incarnation. Praise Him for the significance and meaning of His earthly life – and death – for us. Remember the many prophecies that led up to His birth, and the many faithful who waited with anticipation for His coming. And look forward with hope to His soon return.
One final point – in an increasingly secular society that celebrates a secular Christmas, keeping Christ in Christmas requires intentionality. You have to go against the stream. In addition to the services we attend at church that focus on Christ, our family does an Advent calendar each year that gives 25 verses about Christ’s coming. Each night, we read a verse, talk about its significance, and sing a carol. On Christmas morning, we read the Christmas story from Matthew, Luke, or John. What are some creative ways that you have been able to intentionally keep Christ in Christmas? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
[1] The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon by Washington Irving: Christmas (online-literature.com)
[2] Christmas; or, The Good Fairy (americanliterature.com)
[3] More Americans Celebrating a Secular Christmas (gallup.com)
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