Is the "Keep Christ in Christmas" movement really a little unchristian?

[speters33w]

My wife, Laura wrote this and shared it with me. I find it very profound, and unfortunately it is probably true.

I wonder if the movement to put Christ back into Christmas has done more damage than good to Christ and to Christmas. To begin with, if we’re honest with ourselves, we might have to admit that very often it isn’t really a movement to put Christ back into Christmas. He’s never left. It often seems as if it is more a movement to claim ownership of a holiday where non-Christians were happily singing the birth of Christ as part of a holiday of general goodwill without worrying about the implications of the wording in the songs too much. I first began to realize this ownership aspect when I converted to Catholicism and started to rather snarkily put forward the idea that we shouldn’t stop at putting Christ back in Christmas, we should also make an effort to put Mass back into the holiday as well. My attitude, I’m sorry to say, wasn’t very Christian or Catholic when I said it, although I didn’t really think about that too much at the time, realization came on gradually. At the beginning, before my eyes were opened to my hypocrisy, my attack strategy was to, using the very name of the holiday, explain to my Protestant friends that they weren’t really celebrating it right unless they went to Mass on Christmas day. Not that I wanted all my Protestant friends to convert. Even then, I wasn’t that self-righteous for my faith. Rather, I wanted to show them that the holiday was rightfully Catholic.

That was a horrible thing to do. I’m sorry I did it. My only defense is that, like those who crucified our Lord, I didn’t know what I did.

And, I don’t think most other Christians realize the horrible thing we’ve done as we’ve stood on our soap boxes in the middle of a beautiful Celebration of Charles Dickens type Christmas and explained to everybody else that they were doing it wrong and unless they were religiously celebrating, it wasn’t Christmas.

That is a lie.

A person doesn’t have to be a member of the immediate family to enjoy a birthday party. The next door neighbors can have a slice of cake and sing happy birthday with the family and nobody minds at all.

Christ came to the whole world: Catholics, Protestants, Wise Men, Shepherds and all. I can’t imagine that he’d want us to throw a members only, exclusivist birthday party for him- and the fact that we, who should know him so well, seem to claim that he would- gives the world a very mistaken opinion about him. We ought to be ashamed of ourselves. Or, at least, I am ashamed of myself, and I intend to behave better in the future.

 

[Inquiringperson]

In my opinion, I think it’s alright to try to remember Christ in "Christ"mas (quotes for emphasis). Our society has gone too materialistic (just look at Black Friday being moved a day back), and now it seems Christmas is just another time for businesses to try to make money. People neglect the real meaning of Christmas. And on Christmas, we should go to Mass. But what are our motives for attending Mass? Is it so we could “give thanks to the Lord, Our God” because “it is right and just”? Is it so we could be touched by the Lord so that our souls “shall be healed”? Or are we attending Mass because we want to be part of a “Catholic Clique”? If our reasons for attending Mass in general is because we want to be part of some cool clique, then we need to examine our consciences and see if we are just worshipping ourselves.

 

[speters33w]

In my opinion, I think it’s alright to try to remember Christ in "Christ"mas. Our society has gone too materialistic.

Yes, Of COURSE it is alright to try to remember Christ in Christmas. And look forward to Christ’s coming in Advent.

But I think you missed my wife’s point.

For Catholics that should be a matter of catechesis.

But when promulgated as a political style slogan on billboards and bumper stickers, “Keep Christ in Christmas” might be viewed as an attack on those who merely (used to) sing a few Christmas Carols about the nativity and birth of Christ, and so there was backlash. Clerks forced to say “Happy Holidays,” Removal of public nativity displays, etc. where had it been left alone, the materialistic society might have continued to sing “O Come, O Come Immanuel” while they were purchasing gobs of junk.

 

[DeniseNY]

I wonder if the movement to put Christ back into Christmas has done more damage than good to Christ and to Christmas. To begin with, if we’re honest with ourselves, we might have to admit that very often it isn’t really a movement to put Christ back into Christmas. He’s never left. It often seems as if it is more a movement to claim ownership of a holiday where non-Christians were happily singing the birth of Christ as part of a holiday of general goodwill without worrying about the implications of the wording in the songs too much.

I don’t agree. Are there some who feel this way? Probably. But for the most part I do think it’s a reaction to the over commercialization and secularization of the holiday.

 

[babylonfalling]

Yes, Of COURSE it is alright to try to remember Christ in Christmas. And look forward to Christ’s coming in Advent.

But I think you missed my wife’s point.

For Catholics that should be a matter of catechesis.

But when promulgated as a political style slogan <<–Then don’t be political about it on billboards and bumper stickers, “Keep Christ in Christmas” might be viewed as an attack on those who merely (used to) sing a few Christmas Carols about the nativity and birth of Christ, and so there was backlash. Clerks forced to say “Happy Holidays,” Removal of public nativity displays, etc. where had it been left alone, the materialistic society might have continued to sing “O Come, O Come Immanuel” while they were purchasing gobs of junk.

You can keep Christ in Christmas and use that slogan without being political. If you made too much of it, then you seem to have learned that lesson which is well and good. It doesn’t mean that everyone else is making too much of it or being political. Not that they aren’t doing other things incorrectly. Nobody is perfect. It’s just not wise to presume others are suffering the same mistakes that we ourselves are.

 

[Evania]

Nope, I don’t see anything wrong with it. I don’t view it as a “political” statement. I view it as a reminder. I see the point your wife is trying to make, and it’s true that as Christian’s, we don’t “own” the holiday. It IS Christ’s birthday, and I think there’s nothing wrong with Christian’s reminding society on the origins. If we don’t, who will? Do we need to knock them over the head with it? No. Can we mention it, post it in public, or put a bumper sticker on our car? Why not? Atheists do it…The truth is Jesus is a gift to us from the Father. Is it a political statement to remind people of that fact? They don’t need to accept Him, but aren’t we the salt of the earth?

To be honest, Christ has been pushed aside in favor of materialism on His birthday. (Every year, there are the disgusting stories coming out referencing the fights, grabbing, cursing at the stores at Black Friday) Nah, I don’t see anything wrong with reminding people that it’s Christ’s birthday. In doing so, we are really reminding them of the Father’s Love. Isn’t one of the spiritual acts of mercy is to instruct the ignorant? To be honest, there are so many children, teenagers, and even young adults who honestly have no idea who Christ is, let alone that He is the reason for the season. When I fell away from the Church, I remember such a sign, and although I don’t credit it with my conversion, it definitely was another seed that was planted. I’m grateful for the reminder. I wish more people would do it.

 

[Beryllos]

I don’t agree. Are there some who feel this way? Probably. But for the most part I do think it’s a reaction to the over commercialization and secularization of the holiday.

I agree. When it’s all about finding the perfect gift at a store, we’re on the wrong track.

 

[mikekle]

I remember reading something awhile back that was saying using XMAS, instead of Christmas, was actually more devout, I forget the reasons behind this, but do remember upon learning it, their explanation made sense.

 

[speters33w]

Honestly, when I posted my wife’s statement, I didn’t know how people would react.

But really, I have two questions I have for people that think there is no problem here. I’m talking specifically about the “Keep Christ in Christmas” bumper stickers, posters, and billboards. They are:

1. Who is the intended audience?
2. What is the purpose of “Keep Christ in Christmas” bumper stickers, posters, and billboards?

If the intended audience is practicing Christians, frankly I don’t know any practicing Christians for whom Christ and the birth of Christ are not central themes in their Christmas celebrations. Maybe there are a lot, but I’m not sure a “Keep Christ in Christmas” billboard will do anything for them.

If the intended audience is other than practicing Christians, this is the way this message is percieved (using an unscientific search for #ChristInChristmas on Twitter) and looking at responses from obviously not practicing Christians, and a few select from seeming practicing Christians:

“…People sitting on the sidelines like a judge with a gavel. Declaring who’s fit and appropriate, But it’s nothing but babble.”

“Put the “Christ” back in Christmas? Let’s start with putting the “Christ” back in Christians.”

“By all means, put the snowflakes back on the coffee cups, but [xxxx] the refugees”

“Just left Starbucks &believe me I let those pagan clerks HAVE IT over the anti Christmas coffee cups !!! DO NOT BE SILENT”

"The Evangelist also tricked Tampax into #ChristInChristmas Nice work! Take that Starbucks Christians-1, Godless-0 [Image of “Christmas Edition Tampax ‘with tinsel’”]

“The Wifi password for this coffee shop (Chapters in Newberg) is “HappyHolidays.” Help, I am being persecuted.”

So what does the “Keep Christ in Christmas” message on billboardsdo for those who Christ wants us to evangelize for His Church?

Having a “Keep Christ in Christmas” bumper sticker will identify you as Christian, like wearing a Crucifix or a Miraculous Medal (which my wife does) or keeping a rosary in your vehicle or taping a prayer card to the inside of your hardhat (which I do), but if that’s it’s only purpose, maybe there are better ways to display Christianity publically.

So, again,

1. Who is the intended audience?
2. What is the purpose of “Keep Christ in Christmas” bumper stickers, posters, and billboards?

 

[Elizium23]

The secular traditions of Christmas are more like an uninvited guest showing up empty-handed, refuses to put on a party hat or play any party games, gets drunk and starts asking where his gifts are.

If we empty Christmas of its central message, of the reality of the Incarnation, of God’s saving message to all His people, of the joyful fulfillment of hope represented by Jesus as well as the expectant longing for His second coming, if we suck all that out of Christmas and then replace it with energy-draining light displays, stampedes at the mall, a parental charade that pumps energy into describing a magical gift-giving man and chasing him about, rather than teaching children the virtues of prayer, self-denial, and almsgiving, what justice is done to the meaning of Christmas?

And Christmas is only a secondary feast compared to the solemnity of Easter, which just kind of gets thrown under the bus except it is considered yet another opportunity for stores to sell tooth-rotting treats and cheapo egg-coloring kits. In atheistic Spain, they are still processing through the streets in mysterious penitential hoods, and Americans get Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale.

No, I think much good can be done by Keeping Christ in Christmas, and that is why I am proud, as a Knight of Columbus, that it is one of our initiatives, and I relish the opportunity to sell magnets and signs to our parishioners every year so that we can quietly evangelize the true meaning of Christmas and hold the Lord near and dear to our hearts both now and throughout the year.

 

[St_Francis]

Really, the thing that bothers me is that stores make huge profits at Christmas, they advertize “Holiday Sales” with Christmas decorations, and then refuse to acknoledge the source (Christmas), much less the Source (Christ).

I think store employees should totally be able to say Merry Christmas *or *Happy Holidays (employee’s choice) in response to a customer’s saying Merry Christmas or who buys a bunch of Christmas decorations. If the stores want to forbid saying Merry Christmas to a customer who is just buying a loaf of bread, since rhey may not be Christian, then that is ok to me because they wouldn’t have any sign from the customer of his being Christian.

 

[TK421]

@OP: I think I understand your frustration with the general feel of the message, although it is difficult to articulate. “Keep the Christ in Christmas” is a message primarily promulgated by the baby boomer generation that has minimal effect on younger generations, even perhaps having the opposite effect of pushing people away. Just because it is ineffective doesn’t make it “wrong” though.

I am not fond of “reactionary evangelization”, which is something both of my parents (in their early 60s) do on Facebook, etc, and I make a conscious practice not to imitate them, because I really don’t think it works. They see something they don’t like and what do they do? They give free advertising for it by talking about how much they don’t like it. It is far better to keep the Christ in Christmas by actually being actively religious in the holidays then it is to spam about those who are not. I think reactionary evangelization is often centered around a sense of pessimism or dread towards the future rather than faith that God will prevail. It’s all about, “holding on to what you have left”. It’s a siege mentality, which I don’t think is a healthy spiritual mentality. Christ is a conqueror.

 

[speters33w]

“reactionary evangelization”… It’s a siege mentality, which I don’t think is a healthy spiritual mentality. Christ is a conqueror.

@TK421 Now it makes more sense, if the message is: “No matter what the increasingly secular world does around me, I will keep the Christ in Christmas.”

In fact, if the posters and billboards added those two words and became: “I will keep the Christ in Christmas” or “We will keep the Christ in Christmas” maybe there wouldn’t be the unintended negative effect of making secular youth feel:

“There goes Mother Church again, with all the fairy tales, telling us what we should and shouldn’t do while they want to refuse to welcome refugees from the war-torn countries and from ISIS who were created in the vacuum their beloved Christian Party left when they bulldozed their way into Iraq and tortured a bunch of people based on a pack of lies so there would be no Ruble based oil markets, and then they want to judge me because I was born with the wrong genitalia for my identity. What a bunch of hypocrites.”

But the message: “No matter what the increasingly secular world does around me, I will keep the Christ in Christmas.” is a good one, if this is indeed the message.

I still don’t like the public “Keep the Christ in Christmas” statement without the “I will” because of the unintended effects.

 

[CyrilSebastian]

Keeping Christ in Christmas is daily revealing the character, love, and spirit of Christ that dwells in an individual, by allowing these traits to shine through his actions.

 

[Evania]

Honestly, when I posted my wife’s statement, I didn’t know how people would react.

But really, I have two questions I have for people that think there is no problem here. I’m talking specifically about the “Keep Christ in Christmas” bumper stickers, posters, and billboards. They are:

1. Who is the intended audience?
2. What is the purpose of “Keep Christ in Christmas” bumper stickers, posters, and billboards?

If the intended audience is practicing Christians, frankly I don’t know any practicing Christians for whom Christ and the birth of Christ are not central themes in their Christmas celebrations. Maybe there are a lot, but I’m not sure a “Keep Christ in Christmas” billboard will do anything for them.

If the intended audience is other than practicing Christians, this is the way this message is percieved (using an unscientific search for #ChristInChristmas on Twitter) and looking at responses from obviously not practicing Christians, and a few select from seeming practicing Christians:

So what does the “Keep Christ in Christmas” message on billboardsdo for those who Christ wants us to evangelize for His Church?

Having a “Keep Christ in Christmas” bumper sticker will identify you as Christian, like wearing a Crucifix or a Miraculous Medal (which my wife does) or keeping a rosary in your vehicle or taping a prayer card to the inside of your hardhat (which I do), but if that’s it’s only purpose, maybe there are better ways to display Christianity publically.

So, again,

1. Who is the intended audience?
2. What is the purpose of “Keep Christ in Christmas” bumper stickers, posters, and billboards?

I agree that there are better ways to display Christmas publically. What suggestions have you thought of? I know that there has been a very successful push from secularists and atheists to remove anything that references God from the public forum. You can reference the many lawsuits that have been or are currently in the court system. I think that it’s wonderful that your wife has a rosary in her car and that you have a prayer card in your hard hat. However, what public ideas do you suggest, if you disagree with a simple billboard that says “Keep Christ in Christmas”? I’m seriously not being snarky but am asking out of genuine curiousity.

Like I said, perhaps there are “better” ways to evangelize, but again, this isn’t necessarily the whole intent. I guess it is in part, but really… It’s a reminder. Who is the intended audience? Everyone. It reminds everyone that the Son is God’s Gift to humanity. Is that offensive? Should it be? You said other believers may find it unhelpful. So does that mean we should take it down? I’m curious if this honestly causes true discomfort to any other Christians or maybe it is just us not wanting to appear offensive to people who may disagree.

In the list of Twitter quotes you provided from unbelievers, the first sentence referenced people sitting on the sidelines judging others like a judge with a gavel declaring who’s fit and appropriate. I guess the “judge” is to reference the ones who are believed to be sending a “political message” by advocating this message on billboards, or Christians in general. But wait, doesn’t the very next quote do the very same thing that the first quote is condemning? It turns around and judges us as we’re Christians without Christ within us. The rest of the quotes are chock full of “evidence” meant to accuse us being unfit or not appropriate enough to be true Christians.(not caring for the refugees…really?) The message is clear: We are judged unworthy to post a harmless message to keep Christ in Christmas. I think it’s apparent by at least some (if not all) of the quotes, that they are intended to inflame and mock Christians. So what’s the answer? Should we be more PC? Take down our signs? Should we at the very least, water down the reminder to “Keep Christ in Christmas” and diplomatically change it to “I’LL Keep Christ in Christmas (what you do is up to you)” so others who might be offended won’t judge me to “judge” them. (Whew PC is exhausting)

To be honest with you OP, I sincerely don’t know anyone that sees this message and thinks that it is a “political” message unless they disagree with it as evidenced by the atheist billboards. Is it only atheists? Probably not. However, I have many friends that are quite secular when it comes to Christmas, and even they aren’t offended. They say it’s a nice message.

 

[speters33w]

This discussion has moved away from my wife’s point,

To begin with, if we’re honest with ourselves, we might have to admit that very often it isn’t really a movement to put Christ back into Christmas. He’s never left. It often seems as if it is more a movement to claim ownership of a holiday

When I said “political style slogan,” that was a poor choice of words. I didn’t think people would translate that to mean: “political slogan.” My apologies.

I certainly would not expect a Twitter hash-tag list to be consistent. If it were, that would actually frighten me.

However, what public ideas do you suggest, if you disagree with a simple billboard that says “Keep Christ in Christmas”? I’m seriously not being snarky but am asking out of genuine curiousity. …Who is the intended audience? Everyone. It reminds everyone that the Son is God’s Gift to humanity.

That’s the problem. It won’t remind everyone the Son is God’s Gift to humanity. It will remind many people that the Church in their view is repressive and not liberating. The opposite of reality. Though I’ll admit many people confuse freedom with license. Why not a billboard that says: “The Son is God’s Gift to humanity.” That one’s pretty good.

As far as atheist billboards, I really HOPE our billboards wouldn’t look like them.

Would you?

 

[Evania]

This discussion has moved away from my wife’s point,

When I said “political style slogan,” that was a poor choice of words. I didn’t think people would translate that to mean: “political slogan.” My apologies.

I certainly would not expect a Twitter hash-tag list to be consistent. If it were, that would actually frighten me.

That’s the problem. It won’t remind everyone the Son is God’s Gift to humanity. It will remind many people that the Church in their view is repressive and not liberating. The opposite of reality. Though I’ll admit many people confuse freedom with license. Why not a billboard that says: “The Son is God’s Gift to humanity.” That one’s pretty good.

As far as atheist billboards, I really HOPE our billboards wouldn’t look like them.

Would you?

Of course I would hope our billboards wouldn’t look like theirs. One says there is no reason for the season. Ours says that Jesus is the reason for the season. One offers no hope. Ours takes the Name of Jesus and links it to Christmas- the epitome of Hope.

How is the message to keep Christ in Christmas repressive? How can people even misunderstand to take it that way? And what exactly is Christmas without Christ? It wouldn’t exist. So what’s wrong with a billboard pointing out the truth?

Other than the people you referenced on Twitter, it would be helpful to know who exactly has a problem with this. What class of people are standing up protesting us doing this? You noted in an earlier post that you didn’t see fellow believers having a problem with this, so are you referencing those outside Christianity? I personally haven’t heard anything negative from those of my friends who are more secular in their approach to Christmas. I haven’t heard about anybody protesting this en mass on social media. (At least not that I’m aware of). The only people that have been vocal in this every year has been atheists, who have put up their own billboards. They obviously think their message is worthwhile. Why isn’t ours?

In short, I’m not sure that watering down the truth about Christmas in order to make it more palatable for a person who has obvious issues with the Church is the best way of reaching them. Is it politically correct? Yea, I guess so. But is it the right thing to do? Absolutely not.

As a side note: I do love your idea about a billboard that says: “The Son is God’s Gift to Humanity.” I honestly don’t see much difference between that and “Jesus is the Reason for the Season.”, but I agree that it’s a good idea, and I sincerely mean that.

 

[speters33w]

Well, my workweek is starting. I just got four days in a row off, so I’m probably leaving this thread.

No-one to my knowledge is protesting “Keep The Christ in Christmas,” even those on Twitter I mentioned before. I get many social media threads from non-Christians, many who have fallen away from the Church, and I do know how this phrase is perceived by them, I see a LOT more than I gave you from Twitter.

My wife and I are probably the strongest protesters you’ll find right now.

“Keep” is an imperative form verb.

Changing “Keep The Christ in Christmas,” to “The Son is God’s Gift to Humanity” would not water the truth about Christmas down, it just removes an imperative, which sends a much different message.

This is not an issue of “political correctness.” It is what the message actually says, what it’s intended to accomplish, and how it is perceived.

And to my Wife’s point, it doesn’t really seem to be a movement to put Christ back into Christmas. He’s never left. It often seems more a movement to claim ownership of a holiday

Off Topic, AND PLEASE forget the following is in this thread, everyone. This is directed at Evania is not part of this topic.
You were right to say “(not caring for the refugees…really?),” but honestly in the last week there is a strong perception Conservative Christians want to turn away refugees from Syria and other war-torn countries.This is certainly the rhetoric of the Republican Presidential candidates, and I’ll tell you the Republican Party is viewed as “the Christians.” I do follow Liberal blogs, along with hyperconservative blogs, etc, It’s important to me to not live in an insulated bubble.
Never mind the amount of refugees Catholic Relief Services has resettled and all the good they have done, are doing, and will do. “Their” -all Christians’- (Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals, Mormons etc. dumped in a lump) candidates want to block refugee resettlement.

 

[Peebo]

I don’t think the posters or bumper stickers should be regarded as a “political style”…rather they are a reaction to “political correctness” in our society which tries to insist that any reference to Christmas…or Easter…or any outward display of Christianity might offend those of different faiths or those with no faith…should we ban crosses on churches because someone driving by might get offended at such a blatant display of Christianity…the fact is we live in a secular society…whether the majority of the population claim Christianity as their faith… few of them actually practice that faith…maybe those posters and stickers might jolt the conscience of some of those lukewarm Christians into thinking of the true meaning of Christmas and not just some happy feel holiday full of presents and family gatherings which while important seem to be the main focus in our secularized world instead of the birth of Jesus Christ…practicing Christians are fighting against assaults from many sides…political correctness…atheism…secularism…lukewarm Christianity…hostility towards Christianity…consumerism and materialism…we shouldn’t be ashamed to advertise our faith by whatever means necessary to fight the onslaught against us.

 

[St_Francis]

This discussion has moved away from my wife’s point,

When I said “political style slogan,” that was a poor choice of words. I didn’t think people would translate that to mean: “political slogan.” My apologies.

I certainly would not expect a Twitter hash-tag list to be consistent. If it were, that would actually frighten me.

That’s the problem. It won’t remind everyone the Son is God’s Gift to humanity. It will remind many people that the Church in their view is repressive and not liberating. The opposite of reality. Though I’ll admit many people confuse freedom with license. Why not a billboard that says: “The Son is God’s Gift to humanity.” That one’s pretty good.

As far as atheist billboards, I really HOPE our billboards wouldn’t look like them.

Would you?

I love your billboard idea Like a gigantic Christmas card!

So maybe what we shouod do is to “put Christ back into Christmas” by our actions–sending real Christmas cards instead of country-scene cards; including a little pamphlet or prayer booklet with gifts we send to others, giving “gold” chocolate coins out on St Nicholas Day–gilding the season with reminders of what the season is about.

And a nice ecumenical thing might be to get together with other denominations and put up the giant Christmas card