It’s been stylish in some circles in recent years to talk about the “war on Christmas.” Some decry the ways in which secular society limits public observances of Christmas, removing nativity scenes from public places and encouraging public figures to say “happy holidays,” rather than “merry Christmas.” I agree that some of the extremes to which we’ll go to avoid offending our non-Christian neighbors seem ridiculous: a decorated evergreen tree is obviously a Christmas tree, rather than a “holiday” tree.

On the other hand, I often find myself saying “happy holidays,” rather than “merry Christmas.” In our pluralistic society, we can’t assume that the people next door are Christian; they may be Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, or nothing at all. When I encounter my Jewish friends in December, I routinely wish them a “happy Hanukah,” and they reply in turn, “merry Christmas.” Moreover, I think “happy holidays” is a wonderfully inclusive greeting. Many of us celebrate more than one holiday in the early winter: Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, New Year’s Day, Epiphany (not to mention a whole string of Christian feast days between December 25 and January 1: St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, 12/26; St. John, Apostle and Evangelist, 12/27; The Holy Innocents, Martyrs, 12/28; and The Name of Jesus, 1/1) cluster around the transition from December to January. Happy Holidays encompasses all of the celebrations we and our neighbors observe as the old year ends and the new one begins. I will happily wish my Christian friends a merry Christmas, my Jewish friends a happy Hanukah, and everyone happy holidays!

In the same way, I’m okay with limiting public seasonal displays to relatively “neutral” symbols. The menorah and Christmas tree are two such examples. While both have religious significance, they’re less expressive than, say, a nativity scene. Churches, parochial schools, religious institutions, as well as Christian families and individuals may freely display religious symbols, but when a municipality displays one, it threatens to violate the Constitution’s non-establishment clause. Of course, I’m not an attorney, so what I say is simply a matter of theologically-informed, reasoned opinion.

While we may argue accurately that Christmas isn’t for everyone, it’s hard to deny that Christmas has made a huge impact on our secular society. Our economy rises and falls with retail sales in the last months of the year. Holiday parties brighten the darkness of winter, Christmas specials flood the airways, and gift giving is almost universal, whether or not the giver or recipient is Christian. Christmas has almost gotten away from us, and it’s no wonder. People need a break from the darkness of winter; they need a reason to celebrate when the earth is cold and bare. Sometimes it seems that our society is more observant of the ancient pagan festival of Saturnalia, which celebrates the lengthening of days with the winter solstice, than it is of Jesus’ nativity. Rather than beholding the wondrous generosity of the God who humbled himself and took on human flesh, we emphasize our capacity to spend and celebrate the success of our workaday endeavors.

If we are to reclaim Christmas, we must do so in the spirit of the season, with generosity and great humility. Jesus is God’s gift to the world, and Christmas is therefore something to share. We shouldn’t force Christmas upon others; rather, we should share its benefits. We give because God gave to us. Rather than celebrating our accomplishments, we acknowledge our helplessness and marvel at God’s eagerness to meet us at the depths of our humanity. No matter how much secular society has coopted Christmas, they can’t take it away from us. God has taken on human flesh and dwelled among us. Perhaps we Christians should celebrate society’s move away from identifying Christmas as their winter holiday, if it means that we who understand the holiday’s true meaning may observe the Nativity of our Lord reverently and generously.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

In Jesus’ name,

Pastor Robert M. Mountenay