Don't Say Merry Christmas

I've been thinking a lot lately about the topic of "Happy Holidays" vs. "Merry Christmas". A friend of mine told me that she was "cussed out" by a customer because the business she works for had decided to display a sign of "happy holidays". Never mind the fact that "Merry Christmas" was displayed closely by the "happy holidays" sign or that the so-called Christian lady who was so concerned about the name of Christ was "cussing out" an employee of a business. Nevertheless it has lead me to the following thoughts. The big debate and frustration by most Christians is over the name of "Christ" being taken out of "Christmas". Many Christians cringe when someone utters the phrase "Happy Holidays" or dare signs a card "Xmas". Their issue is that somehow Christ has been forgotten and replaced. I personally have no issues with the phrase "Happy Holidays" like most. I've come to realize we do not live in a Christian nation. While we may have been founded on "Christian principles" our nation has long been self serving rather than Christ serving. Because of this, many religions are now represented here in the good ol' USA. If I am a business owner I must accept the fact that I do business with a variety of cultures and peoples. Therefore I must also accept that this time of year is celebrated differently by different people. While freedom of religion at one point meant that we were free to worship how we choose, it has now taken on the meaning that we may worship whomever we choose. To try and dictate who and what to celebrate becomes a violation of what many fought to keep free here. I am thankful that I may worship Christ freely, but with that comes the acceptance that others may worship gods they choose as well. I am concerned though as to why we are so concerned about "insisting" that people remember Christ? And why do we seek to "remember Christ" by insisting people celebrate him when they have no desire? Can you imagine the early Jews demanding that the Babylonians celebrate Passover with them? Why would they? The Babylonians worshipped other gods. The real error is that the church has become so numb to living a Gospel worthy life that many have "forgotten" Christ long before this holiday phrase issue arose. We have failed to proclaim the Gospel as the church, and it has resulted in the rise of other religions and holidays being celebrated here. The issue is not over should we say "Merry Christmas" but instead should be seen as why would you say anything else. The reason is, our country worships other gods. To me it is not appealing to "force" people to honor Christ at Christmas if they fail to honor Him year round. I would prefer "idol worshippers" of America not name the name of Christ in Christmas. Don't say Merry Christmas for a month if you worship other gods. As Christians, as the church, we must rise together not to put "Christ" back into Christmas, unless by that you mean banding together to live Gospel worthy lives year round that results in people worshipping Christ. The natural result of this would be a "Merry Christmas" indeed. Until then, lets focus on the reason we have strayed so far from the real meaning of Christmas in our country and work to transform that, rather than insisting people acknowledge Christ for a month.