We preachers are a different lot, and we do silly stuff. We expect people to come to church, be involved, live out faith, and even tithe. But this one takes the cake.
A group of ministers in our area are encouraging their parishioners to boycott stores who use phrases like 'happy holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas.' This truly is an adventure in missing the point (thanks campolo and mclaren for a great phrase and book). This doesn’t even fall in the category of 'preacher make me laugh,' rather, this is just plain ludicrous.
Please forgive me for being cynical and critical, but these guys and this crowd of people just don't get what happens with the convergence of a religious holiday that can be adopted and promoted in a free economic market. STORES JUST WANT PEOPLE TO BUY STUFF AND DON’T REALLY CARE THAT MUCH ABOUT JESUS, did the preachers hear that???
Fortunately our church is not a part of this boycott and I don’t think threatening to boycott a store because they don’t promote ‘Christmas’ over the Holidays is going to further the gospel either, but you know, that is just me, 20-something Duke-Grad minister. (aside: I am excited about my snowboard, which is my present this year, but I truly wrestle with Jesus coming down from heaven, becoming a baby, living, and dying on a cross, so I could strap a piece of beautifully painted, sophistically constructed wood to my feet and slide down a steep hill an expensive resort).
MY SOLUTION
If retailers really wanted to be savvy, here is what they should do. Research the history of Hanukah or Chanukah (potato, tomato, what ever is your preference. As a Krzyzewski/ sha-shev-skee fan, I prefer the Ch). Then realize that this celebration started before Jesus and since we Christians should actually claim a Jewish heritage as ones grafted on to the tree of God’s people, they should convince us that Chanukah could be celebrated by Christians too and we should be presents for both the eight crazy nights of Chanukah and Christmas.
That would be the way to convince these ministers that the corporation is always right. It would be like evangelistic work on the part of the economy and those whose faith is a part of Judaism. They are preaching to us the merits of celebrating our heritage. Then, we will all be proud of our preachers and not have to shake our heads and say, silly preacher.
Here are 2 links (
one,
two)to this story and if you have time read the
forums on channel 12's site.
