This is one of my favorite times of the year; it's also one of the most frustrating.
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a Christian. I'm proud of that fact. In a time when it's not politically correct to be a Christian, let alone one proud of the fact I stand and proclaim, I am abundantly proud of my God and my faith in Him.
One of the things that frustrate me, in this era of political correctness, is that the words Merry Christmas have become taboo. "Oh, you might offend someone…" You know what, fine, if they want to be offended by my expression that they have a Merry Christmas, and then the problem is with them, not with me. If someone wishes me a Happy Hanukkah, I don't get offended; I turn to them and wish them a Merry Christmas.
If you are not a Christian and want to wish me a "Happy/Merry Whatever-It-Is-You-Celebrate", that is fine, I promise not to be offended. You wish me whatever good wishes you want for me, in anyway that you want, I'll take them. However, in this season, I will wish you a Merry Christmas. I'm not trying to convert you; I want you to have a good December 25th! It is with my deepest sincerity that I want you to have a good day.
If Christmas day is just another day off of work for you and you have no intention of doing anything special, I hope that you are happy and safe doing it. I hope that as you travel to and from where ever it is you go or whatever it is that you do that someone hasn't had too much eggnog and plows into you.
These wishes get embodied into the words Merry Christmas.
I hate the fact that this world is getting so bound up (as in constipated) with political correctness. I hate the terms Holiday Gift, when they mean Christmas Gift, Happy Holidays when they mean Merry Christmas and any sideways attempt at saying Merry Christmas without actually saying it. I don't want to be hamstrung into say to everyone Happy RamaHanQuansMas. I don't celebrate Ramadan, Hanukkah or Quanza, I celebrate Christmas, the birth of my Savior. I most certainly don't celebrate Festivus, the new politically expedient thing to hit the waves.
Now that I'm done complaining; I want to explain why I love this time of the year. Roughly 2000 years ago (probably closer to June than December) a baby was born to a mother who had never known a man. He was the Son of God. He came, lived a perfect life and became the fulfillment of Gods word. That man died to become the sacrifice that was required to cover my sins, so that I wouldn't have to pay for them with my life. He became the bridge between my Father and me.
My love for this season has nothing to do with anyone else. It doesn't have to do with my family or my friends. It doesn't have anything to do with shopping or gifts. It has nothing to do with the government or even church. It has to do with my relationship with my savior.
With that I only have one thing left to say…
Merry Christmas everyone!
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