I love this time of the year. Preparing for Christmas, my family gathering on Christmas Eve, my mom’s amazing Cuban dinner on Christmas Eve, my kids decorating our Christmas tree, Christmas parties, church Christmas functions and the list goes on and on. Some people seem to be bah-humbug about it. Wanting to take away the joy that Christmas brings which is the birth of Christ. Yep that is the real meaning of Christmas. It is not Santa, Christmas trees, gifts (except of the gift of Christ), etc.
I cringe when someone wishes me a Happy Holidays (why does everything have to be so politically correct?), my response is always Merry CHRISTmas. Anything else coming out of my mouth I feel would be a dishonor to my Savior. This article is not geared about “Happy Holidays” it is geared about non-Christians that complain and get their way but what about Christians, don’t we have rights? As a Christian it makes me sad to see people trying to fight to have towns and cities take down Nativities or schools not allow the word Christmas within their walls.
This morning on the news I heard a story about an elementary school in Kentucky who censored a Charlie Brown Christmas play. The part where Linus tells the meaning of Christmas:
Luke 2:1-20 The Birth of Jesus
This school totally took this portion out of their play all because ONE parent complained. Glory to God because when that part of the play came up the parents in the audience recited the Bible verses (Luke 2:1-20) loud for all to hear! The school allowed this one parent to censor this play because they stating separation of church and state.
Many have the misconception that religion does not belong in schools citing separation of church and state. The First Amendment does not include the phrase “separation of church and state.” It reads:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
The First Amendment was intended to accomplish three purposes. First, it was intended to prevent the establishment of a national church or religion, or the giving of any religious sect or denomination a preferred status. Second, it was designed to safeguard the right of freedom of conscience in religious beliefs against invasion solely by the national Government. Third, it was so constructed in order to allow the States, unimpeded, to deal with religious establishments and aid to religious institutions as they saw fit.”
I share this here because the First Amendment is misinterpreted almost always. As a Christian I feel like it is my place to educate my readers because we do need to take a stand and not allow places like schools to try to take our religious freedoms away. We need to lift up the name of Christ and proclaim the truth.
How are you proclaiming the truth this CHRISTmas season?
A great site to read about Christian freedom go to Alliance Defending Freedom or Christian Answers.
Thanks for a great post! I so agrree with you! I too tell everyone Merry Christmas, even if they have said Happy Holidays! We are celebrating the birth of Christ!!!!
Amen! Merry Christmas Angela!
Amen!!! Merry CHRISTmas to you and your family!!
It’s a shame this has become an issue in this PC world. I don’t tell other religions what to call their holiday, please don’t tell me what to call mine.
I agree that we should all respect each other’s religious freedoms. Luckily, I feel that most people do.
If anyone wished me a “Happy Whatever-Holiday-They-Celebrate” it would make me smile. Whether you celebrate that particular holiday or not it’s the spirit behind it and the good intentions of the person saying it that matter. Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🙂
Dawn, the article is not all about happy holidays. It was geared to the school Christmas play and how one person can have a voice and have rights but what about Christians, don’t they have rights?
I still say Merry Christmas to people, rather than Happy Holidays. And I don’t see why the school should have censored that part of the movie. If they were going to show it at all, they might as well show the whole thing. I understand we are a mingled nation and there are many different religious beliefs, but if it was going to be a problem then the movie never should have been shown in the first place. It’s something children can watch with their family at home, just as we have done this year. Come to think of it, I don’t believe I ever watched any Christmas related shows in school.
Danielle, I totally agree with you. Why bother using this play at all then?
Did you see the school where the principal outlawed anything having to do with any holiday? It’s ridiculous. Great post!
yes I saw that. They are not allowed to say Christmas. Obviously she does not know the laws which many do not, sad.
I am a Catholic and I always say Merry Christmas when I greet people. I don’t care how other cultures greet each other during Christmas, but this is how I will always do it.
I say Merry Christmas too, but sometimes happy holidays comes out. I know the real meaning symbols the birth of Christ in my heart. No one can take that away from me.