At work today I had a conversation with a girl about when its appropriate to say Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays. I understand completely her concern, as you don't want to offend people. However, to me, a person shouldn't not say "Merry Christmas" to somebody for the sake of not wanting to offend them. One of my favorite quotes, and I'm not sure who it's by, goes something like this: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
Good people everywhere feel like they have to hide their beleifs because radicals argue against it. Why can't we who are conservative express our beliefs as well, without having to fear for offending those who are so forward in their beleifs? I don't mean we have to scream them from the rooftops or have word wars between each other. What I do mean is that we each beleive something. More importantly, we each beleive IN something. Why not share with another person how Christ's life has influenced yours for the better? They may not accept or understand that, but then again, they may.
Don't get me wrong, I'm the last person to want to offend others...and I am always afraid to share what I beleive in. However, if I don't stand up for what's right....then I'm automatically standing up for what's wrong.
I was with a friend this past weekend at Wal-Mart. We were doing some Christmas shopping and enjoying each other's company. We came across these scented pine sticks that were really strong...and pretty cool. She carried one around with her throughout our time shopping. I thought she was going to purchase it. When the time came to check out, I looked around and asked her, "hey, were you going to buy that thing?" She replied, "oh, no. I put it back." I just shrugged my shoulders and completed the purchase, and we walked out of the store. After we were in the car and starting to pull away she pulled it out of her pocket and said, "don't be mad, but I took this." ....I had two choices at that point. It was only a small item. It's value amounted to maybe a quarter. I could have driven away and forgotten about it...after all, it was so menial, right? Wrong!
Immediately, I stopped the car. I explained to her how uncool it was that she took it and that no matter how small the item was, it didn't make stealing right. After discussing this with her for a few minutes, she asked, "So what should I do, just bring it back into the store?" I told her, "That's what I would do." So, she ran back in and put the item back.
Today at work, she messaged me and told me that she was going to do something good for somebody else and that it was a direct result of the good influence I had on her.
Now, I'm not saying this to show how "holy" I am....I have a lot to improve upon myself. What I'm saying is that because I stood up for what I felt truly to be right, it influenced one more person to do at least one good deed for somebody else. That is what Christmas is about. That is what Jesus Christ is about.
I think because I'm so chill about other things, my friend thought I'd be chill about this "small" wrong doing. How sad it is that it took her stealing from a store for her to learn that I didn't beleive in that behavior...though now she knows. I think of this and wonder in what ways I can be more bold in my testimony of the Gospel. It's hard for me to share my beleifs and not feel overbearing. However, if I do something small each day to remind others that I am a follower of Christ...be it saying something kind or asking someone (kindly of course) to not engage in a certain kind of behavior when I'm around, or even when I walk around work smiling! :)
On a lighter note, I love the Christmas season with all it's ugly sweaters and chocolate noggers (my own creation of chocolate ice cream mixed in a blender with ice and eggnog...not too original, I know)....I love the feeling of joy and peace that seems to take hold of the world and everyone in it! Christmas is truly a time to celebrate Christ's birth and life. I hope everyone will be able to enjoy the season and remember that Jesus is the one whose birth we're celebrating!
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