Published December 10, 2005 - Glendale News Press - Los Angeles Time
IN THEORY
Q: Commentator Bill O'Reilly is on a campaign to promote the use of the holiday greeting "Merry Christmas" in retail stores, reflecting a concern that outlets are replacing the greeting with non-denominational sayings such as "Happy Holidays." Do you think secular forces are wiping out such seasonal displays? Are you offended by the lack of the word "Christmas" in such displays and advertising?
A: Corporate America and the "secular forces" are doing a great job of removing Christ from Christmas, but it's not because of a reference to a generic holiday. Frankly, as a Christian I'm offended and even insulted by some of the signs that label their products with Christmas banners.
What makes a cruise a "Christmas cruise?" Do they have a plastic nativity tucked away in the corner of the dining hall? What makes the car dealer proclaim a "Christmas Sale"? Is it the big red bow over the car, or the Bible in the glove compartment? And what about the "Christmas Sale of Scotch Whiskey"? After the drunk driver kills innocent people are we to be comforted that he was returning from a Christmas party?
Christ was taken out of Christmas long ago. Whether advertisers use the word Christmas or holiday is really insignificant because what we've lost is not the word or even the person of Christ, but the message. The celebration of Christmas, with trees and ornaments, with gifts and giving, is all about a sacred relationship that we enjoy with God. The message of Christmas is all about giving to those who have absolutely no way of giving back to us -- the poor, the hungry, the starving and the sick. After all, the example was given to us on that first Christmas, when God gave to us, something so sacred, knowing that we had and have no way to return the gift, only by giving to others.
So Happy Holidays, Kwanza, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice and Merry Christmas.
Buy, spend and give. It's good for the economy and be comforted knowing that retailers rely on Christmas for their survival in much the same way we rely on God for ours.
FR. VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church
Youth Ministries
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