Merry Christmas

"So, what are you getting your fiancee for Christmas?" they ask.
I reply, "Nothing."

I handed the woman her bag of groceries, and she said to me, "Merry Christmas."
I smile and nod. Usually the hundreds of customers a day that have been telling me "Merry Christmas" walk away right after saying it. Sometimes they stare at me with a big goofy smile, waiting for my reply. So I am forced to say, "Thanks" or maybe even, "And you too", sometimes I just respond, "Have a nice day."
Well this woman repeated a little bit louder, "Merry Christmas."
So I spewed out, "Thanks."
I guess she didn't like my reply, because she went on to say, "Happy Holidays. Is that better?"
I continue wearing my great big smile and say, "Actually I don't celebrate any holidays in December."
"Oh, well whenever you do celebrate a holiday, I hope you enjoy yourself."
Big smile and slight laugh, "Thank you." I appreciate what the woman was trying to do. I know she was just trying to be nice. I wasn't offended and I was trying not to offend her.

Later another woman handed me a card to scan so that a school would get some money. The school was Beth Torah Preschool, so I assumed she is Jewish. I asked her, "Do you celebrate Christmas?"
She waited a few seconds and looked a little bit scared. I understand the feeling, but I'll get to that later. She answered, "No."
"What do you say when people tell you Merry Christmas?"
"Well... I say thank you." Her voice went up at the end like she was asking a question. "Or I say, Same to you."
I told her about my encounter with the persistant Merry Christmaser.
When her order was finished she told me Happy Chanukkah.

I don't have a problem with Chanukkah. I just don't celebrate it. However I do have a problem with Christmas. Why? I'm sure some of you already know, but do a little study on the origins of Christmas and it's symbols and traditions, etc. it's pretty much pagan. You may not have known this. But there are a lot of Christians who do, yet they make excuses because they like the idea of Christmas.

"It's good to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and even though He wasn't born on December 25, that's as good a day as any to celebrate it."
Well actually, celebrating Jesus' isn't really that great. There is no mention of anyone doing it until that emporer wanted a Christian version of his sun god's birthday or something like that.
And even if it were important to celebrate Jesus' birthday, there's a much better time to do it than Dec 25. Jesus was most likely born in the fall. We know this because of the time John the Babtist's dad would have been serving in the temple, and also because of when the shepherds would or would not have been out in the fields. If Jesus, who compared himself to the Temple, who was and is God's presence dwelling among us, who is the manna from heaven, was born during autumn in a place where they keep animals; then what better time to celebrate his birth than the biblical festival in autumn that celebrates God's provision for Israel in the wilderness, the festival on which Solomon's Temple was dedicated, the festival which celebrate's God dwelling among his people, its name even means dwelling, its name also means a place where they keep animals, Sukkot, a.k.a. Feast of Tabernacles.

Yet many people feel they have to keep defending Chrismas. Pop Christianity has gotten over the whole X-mas thing. Now the big deal is "Merry Christmas" vs. "Happy Holidays." But why not include the Jews and African Americans? Does all of America have to say "Christ" at least once a year in order for Christianity to feel safe and secure? But look, even non-Christians are celebrating "Christmas." Christmas is a cultural holiday. Christians and non-Christians generally celebrate Christmas in exactly the same way. The only difference is Christians might read Luke 2, and have little idols of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus.

Another excuse used in defending Christmas (and Easter) is that it's a great time to witness about Jesus.

If you want to feel like an alien and a stranger on the earth, if you want to feel like a peculiar person, if you want to feel alientated, try NOT celebrating Christmas, try NOT saying "Merry Christmas."

I'm good at avoiding confrontation in person. But if you're the type of person who likes the face to face stuff, being a non-Christmasite in a country full of Christmasing sinners provides plenty of witnessing opportunity.

Or you could just be a good Americhristian and put down your Bible and pick up the Constitution and fight for your right to be just like everybody else.

review

I saw "The Passion of the Rings Junior" last night. It was enjoyable. I liked the bloodless battle scenes, the focus was on the action and the characters instead of on gore. I never really got into the Narnia books growing up. For a few years I've been thinking about going back and reading them. I still don't have the motivation to read them. I'm sure I will someday though.

On a different note. Here's a Psalm that demonstrates God's forgiveness before "Christ's incarnation." God has always given grace and mercy, and desired faith and repentance.


Psalm 32 (New Living Translation)
A psalm of David.
1
Oh, what joy for those
whose rebellion is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!

2
Yes, what joy for those
whose record the LORD has cleared of sin,
whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

3
When I refused to confess my sin,
I was weak and miserable,
and I groaned all day long.

4
Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

Interlude
5
Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
and stopped trying to hide them.
I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD."
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Interlude
6
Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion to you while there is time,
that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

7
For you are my hiding place;
you protect me from trouble.
You surround me with songs of victory.

Interlude
8
The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.

9
Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control."

10
Many sorrows come to the wicked,
but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.

11
So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him!
Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

from: http://www.biblegateway.com/

Unchurch

I just read this Real Live Preacher article. I like reading stuff like that. I've thought like that for half of my life now. It's why I always wanted to be a missionary and not a "pastor." Olive Tree, my pro-Torah congregation, is less like church a little bit more like RLP describes. No one gets paid, everybody gets to share what they learned from scripture, people find us in mysterious ways. And being part of Chi Alpha one summer led by Jeremiah Byous was like candy, it was so personal and unforced. I want to start one of those intentional group of friends gathering around scripture when I move back to Colorado. I've been waiting half my life.