Liberty Counsel’s Matthew Staver is out with a “Naughty & Nice” list for stores this holiday—excuse me, Christmas—season.
If the store doesn’t specifically use the word “Christmas” in its store promotion, it goes on the “naughty” list and all God-fearing Christians are expected to boycott the business. Home Depot made that list by using phrases such as “Holiday Gift Center” and “Holiday Decorations.” Others on the list: K-Mart, Nordstorm, Best Buy, Gap, Sprint and Office Max. “Nice” businesses include Amazon, Macy’s, JC Penny, WalMart and American Eagle Outfitters.
Humbug! There are much bigger issues for Christians. For instance, are those on the “nice” list actually abiding by “Christian” principles in their business practices? Does the business treat its employees fairly with benefits and a livable salary? Does it refuse to buy items made in overseas “sweat shops.” Is it conducting business ethically or is it engaging in predatory pricing to put other stores out of business?
As I mentioned just Monday, these narrow litmus tests often miss the larger—and eternal—issues. So, while I’m at it . . .
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November 15, 2007 at 06:03
Great point. I also love the article you linked to – it sums things up nicely. When are we going to realize that retail decorations are purely BUSINESS! There is no real good or malicious intent behind them, it’s all about what looks good and what the marketing people believe will draw people into their store. I’m not against the word “holiday”, and I can’t understand why people get so upset over it. The majority of retail employees I encounter are happy to greet and be greeted with “merry christmas” or whatever phrase you use. In fact, I’m sure most of them are probably just happy to deal with a pleasant customer during the hectic holidays. If store decorations bother people so much, then I say do your shopping BEFORE the holiday stuff comes out, or stick to online shopping (you don’t have to drive around for hours looking for parking). Don’t we as Christians have bigger and better things to do in this world besides worry about ridiculous things like this? It’s embarrassing.
November 15, 2007 at 07:00
Christmas, as far as Christians are concerned, has become a big embarassment and an excuse for crass commercialism. The fact that some
businesses have opted to leave out Christ from their advertising is only an indication of the decay of our religious culture. In other words they are simply reflecting what the public is practicing.
November 15, 2007 at 12:35
Yeah, the whole “Christmas vs. holidays” debate is just silly. But I’ll raise you one; this morning I read a report that a group of women find “Ho ho ho” offensive! Hopefully one day we’ll take Mr. Hankey’s advice and just say, “Aw the heck with it, it’s Christmas!”
November 15, 2007 at 21:36
I gotta admit, I don’t understand the whole, “I won’t go unless they call it the Christmas season” campaign that’s been going on the last couple of years.
First, there are other holidays being celebrated.
Second, and most importantly, it’s not the Christmas season. The four weeks before Christmas day make up Advent – which is a time of repentance, reflection, and preparation.
November 16, 2007 at 12:40
“When you are so busy about nothing, that is what you will accomplish.”
November 17, 2007 at 09:18
Every one I know uses economics to make purchasing decisions, not politics. To do otherwise is always silly.
November 17, 2007 at 19:11
When I was growing up, we had full Christmas celebrations in public school – including (gasp) – a nativity scene. Each morning, the day began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent prayer. We had assemblies, which taught good citizenship, respect for parents and teachers, and a love of country.
One day, a woman brought a lawsuit. Prayer was outlawed in our schools. With no higher authority honored, the “do your own thing” generation came squalling into the world. Sexual restraint was cast to the wind. Drugs, suicide and crime took a quantum leap. If enough of us had spoken up in the beginning, we wouldn’t be crying at the graves of our children.
The Christmas issue may seem trivial on the surface, but change comes in slow, seemingly innocuous increments. One day you wake up, and your freedom of speech and religion is gone. And if you think only Christians will suffer, you’re wrong. This entire nation will come under the tyranny of the political elite, no longer able to freely express an opposing opinion.
I’ll stand for the right to fully express my faith in the public square as long as I have breath.
November 18, 2007 at 08:48
There are some wonderful people out there like, the people at (AFA) American Family Association, and others who are doing an awesome job by fighting with businesses and even with the legal system, to use Christmas instead of xmas, holiday and so on. This blog has come against such people in a strong way and I find it ridiculous.
God’s word says that good deeds are not Godly deeds. Just because some businesses use good principles, pay good salaries and do good, doesnt make them Godly. Whether they honor God’s name or not makes all the difference. Christains give huge profits to bussiness during the Christmas season. What some bussiness want is only the profits that we give them, they don’t want to ackowledge the fact that its we Christains who are doing that. They don’t want the name of Christ anywhere in the picture. There are bussinesses hell-bent on removing the words Christmas. They instead use new and weird names for the word Christmas. It is very evident from what’s happening that there is a strong spirit working behind this which wants to stop people from knowing the reason behind this season.
To keep the Christian tradition alive, people should use Christmas and not other words.
Hats off to the organizations like AFA who have come up with brilliant ideas to fight this menace and the writer of this blog says that we should encourage those businesses, who are following the word of God and not worry whether they use Christmas or not. Its funny. If they don’t care the word Christmas, would they be bothered about the word of God and its principles. Instead of critising people like Mathew Staver who is fighting for Christmas, Why should’nt some people come up a list of bussinesses who follow God’s word. This blog has blown out of proportion a very good deed by a dedicated Christain. I really appreciate this blog as it has brought into the open the many changes that are taking place in the Christian kingdom, one of them being, the businesses using or not using the word “Christmas”.After reading this blog, what I failed to understand is, if you are against some organizations fighting to promote the word Christmas instead of holiday. In my opinion organizations mistreating their employees, not giving them good pay and if they are practicing christain principles is altogether different thing. Here some organizations like American Family Association and others are fighting to keep Christ in the Christmas, which I think is a great way of safeguarding our Christian holiday.
November 19, 2007 at 20:56
Umm, you do realize the the “X” in X-mas is the Greek letter chi(χ), right? It’s the first letter in the Greek word we translate as Christ (χριστος) – as in Christ-mas.
But, by all means, please continue the fight for a “Christmas Season” designed by the necessities of our economy rather than the theology and practice of the Church…
November 20, 2007 at 06:53
Wezlo, we may know it – the world doesn’t. And if we can accept “X” mas because it has a deep theological background, how’s about just plain old “Christ” mas? Oops – everyone gets that… so businesses gut all references to it.
Anna, Noah – thank you for your courageous and great responses. Happy Thanksgiving & Merry Christmas to all!
November 20, 2007 at 13:22
Christiane = that’s the problem, most Christians I know don’t have a CLUE what the “X” means in X-mas. All they hear is, “Oh my gosh that tosses Christ out of Christmas!” It’s not limited to Christmas either – when we shorten the name of Christdot to X. some people complain that we were taking Christ out of the site!
There’s no calculated desire to take Christ out of Christmas by using “X-Mas.” It’s just short-hand. Instead of complaining about it – explain it to people.
I have yet to hear anyone come up with a response to why we’re courageously fighting for Christmas in the wrong season. The four weeks of the shopping season are not the Christmas season. Again, it’s Advent – completely different season, completely different focus.
November 20, 2007 at 15:38
Wezlo – I so much appreciate what you are saying – but during these weeks leading up to Christmas Day, most shoppers are getting presents to give on Christmas. Retailers know this…and I fail to see why shorthand ought to be used when saying “Christmas” is an option. Either way it’s two syllables. But one gets immediately to the point. The other has to be explained.
I am for the use of Christmas & prefer businesses that use it for these reasons: – Christ is the ultimate gift giver and it is right the He be lifted up during this time when His birth is commemorated; – It sets a precedent for Him when we witness as people have already heard about Him; – It brings the Light of the World into the world, for however short a time (even grinches & scrooges can be converted by the Christmas Spirit); – It lets us believers have an opening to give to those around us who may not be Christians, expecting no gift back, but showing them some Christmas generosity; – As Noah points out, it’s just a more honest and appropriate term.
God bless you, Wezlo – again, I understand completely what you are saying and I know you are very pure in this, but I just think we ought to say Christ as much as we can to this lost and dying world – and to one another!
November 20, 2007 at 15:44
jflynt – I’m wondering about your comment. I just finished watching Amazing Grace again and one of the key forces generating awareness for slavery was when/where people made their purchases. The colonists fought, I believe, the Townsend act by a general boycott of British-made goods (and don’t forget about the “tea parties” that went on). People have used their purchase power in ways that reflected politics frequently in the past – why not now?
November 20, 2007 at 16:17
Do you really think that happy holidays or merry Christmas is a war worth fighting? Do you think Christ would stand up and debate about it? Or do you think he will spend time with “sinners” at their dinner table discussing spiritual matters? Let’s admit, Christmas (or xmas) or whatever you want to call it has been transformed into a whole money spending, commercial holiday. Even if they change the greetings to Merry Christmas… it would still be commercial. I wonder what would happen if we Christians decided that ALL of the money we spend on Christmas in one year be donated to fighting hunger, poverty? It’s worth giving up a sweater, iPod, glove, etc for it. Don’t you think? Yeah, it’s hard to swallow. Maybe we should continue discussing naming the holiday, not living them.
November 20, 2007 at 16:27
Check it out: “holiday.” “Holy day.” There are a lot more holy days coming up than just Christmas, people.
Let’s focus on something more important. Nobody’s gonna be converted by Nordstrom’s changing their signs to read “Christmas.”
November 20, 2007 at 20:27
christiane, the short-hand is for spelling purposes only – it saves room on signs as it’s 5 less characters – same goes for typing, less work. If you ever actually ever hear anyone vocalize it “X-Mas” then explain to them what the “X” means and then hit them on the head with a whiffle-ball bat – ‘cause that’s just plain dumb. Now, let’s look at this quote:
but during these weeks leading up to Christmas Day, most shoppers are getting presents to give on Christmas.
I’ve got to say, the fact that we don’t even flinch when something like this is dropped is the actual problem. You just defined Christmas as a retail event. Also, I’ve never quite realized why businesses which aren’t so-called “Christian” are supposed to honor Jesus during a retail sales extravaganza. Can someone explain how paying lip-service to to Christ at the Christ-Mass (which is another whole can of worms about when Protestants started being Catholic again anyway) is a good thing?
Also, let’s be very clear about this, Christmas isn’t a celebration of Jesus’ birth – as though we’re commemorating an event that happened and will never happen again. Christmas is a celebration of the Incarnation – a continuing reality of the 2nd person of the Trinity taking human flesh in all it’s fullness, becoming the God-man. It’s an incarnation which continues today, and it continues through the Church as the body of Christ.
November 20, 2007 at 20:36
Moe – many, many, many give during Christmas to alleviate hunger, Operation———mas Child, etc. But there’s not a thing wrong with me getting a gift – for my very own family. I prefer to do both.
Brian – might amuse you to know I prefer “Resurrection Day” to Easter. I understand what “holiday” means – and no matter what the Christian holiday, I do try to keep my Savior uplifted – ‘cos that’s the WHOLE POINT.
November 20, 2007 at 22:49
Christiane: I also participate in the giving and receiving of gifts. My point is that “fighting” about “Christmas or Xmas or Holidays” is not worth doing. There’s more worthy causes to fight for. It’s very clear in the scriptures that the world will only grow more hostile towards Christ as time goes by. We are to stand in faith about our convictions and the commandments of our Lord, not just defending “holidays”. On that note, Merry Christmas (holidays, Xmas, whatever). Let’s just make sure we (myself included) live Christmas, not just mention it and get caught up in the “rush”.
November 21, 2007 at 10:22
Moe, I agree – guess where I’m differentiating is that there are special demarcations for certain times of the year, and these should be uplifted for what they actually are.
I think Anna and Noah are right on it when they point out that there is evil intent behind this. Satan is the great blinder of people to the Gospel and I can only see where it is a victory for evil to remove Christ from the season reminding us of birth of our Savior.
I frankly have to admit that I do not understand why every Christian does see this.
Having said that, I agree wholeheartedly with you and Wezlo that Christmas has more to do with the heart than crass exterior trappings…and my heart so wants to see Him uplifted during this season commemorating His birth.
November 21, 2007 at 11:42
Christiania – again – the Christmas season isn’t the season in which we celebrate the Incarnation. It’s the season of Advent. The Christmas season is Christmas day and the 11 days after it (the 12 Days of Christmas). Saying Merry Christmas during Advent doesn’t make sense on the Liturgical Calendar, according to the theology which guides the Season of Advent, and actually diminishes the wonderful 12-Day season we’re supposed to be celebrating. I mean, if we’re going to reverse that aspect of the Reformation and start celebrating Holy-days again, we might as well do it right.
November 21, 2007 at 15:27
Uh Oh…Wezlo, I have to admit I’ve never celebrated Advent, although I have heard of it. Guess – gulp – you’d better get out that whiffle bat after all…
November 21, 2007 at 17:51
My friends, you digress from the point. This is not crass commercialism versus celebrating the Lord’s birth. This is about freedom to express your views and religion in the public square.
If things continue along the present slippery slope, you will not have to be concerned about celebrating the Lord’s birth because it will become a criminal offense along with many other expressions of faith.
November 21, 2007 at 19:51
Anna – I agree 100%.
November 21, 2007 at 23:59
“This is about freedom to express your views and religion in the public square.”
No, actually it’s not – the post is about private businesses. If a government posts a law saying that you can’t say, “Merry Christmas” then THAT would be the public sphere. A private business makes its decisions based on what will get them a bigger profit margin.
That slippery slope argument is another one that I don’t get. I mean, Evangelicals simultaneously think of themselves as the “kingmakers” in the Republican party and yet also have no power and are a breath away from losing everything. I guess those two realities can co-exist – but I’m not sure the collective stroke Evangelicalism seems to have over the whole “culture war” is really worth it.
November 22, 2007 at 19:40
Private businesses are biting the hand that feeds them when they fail to acknowledge the largest segment celebrating Christmas is Christian. They have a built-in brand; why mess with it. They’ve paid dearly via boycotts, bad press, etc.
Government has made it increasingly tricky for not only businesses, but schools and religious institutions to acknowledge and allow religious expression. They’re afraid of lawsuits, reprisals, etc. In that sense, it is a public square issue.
Christians do not feel they have a lock on the Republican party. They are finally waking up to the fact if their voices are missing from the political arena they will lose every freedom they consider of utmost importance. For most of us, the Republican party comes the closest to espousing the values we wish to preserve.
All we have to do is look at history the last 40 years and see the slippery slope. I wouldn’t be surprised if most of you couldn’t look back that far because you were either infants or not even born. I and others were there. We know the difference in this country, and the losses Christians have suffered over the years. It’s time to do some research folks and CNN doesn’t count.
November 22, 2007 at 23:35
I am convinced you are mistaken on this one, Wezlo, as this issue is indeed about freedom of speech, and it is truly being diminished during every passing holy day. Check out http://www.lc.org and follow the links for examples of people’s rights being trampled upon.
How appropriate that Scrooge’s favorite term should be the centerpiece of the introduction to this blog. It didn’t really surprise me that no link to Liberty Counsel’s site was given, just a sound “Humbug!” to those who might want to have a ‘family tree’ called a “Christmas tree,” a “Humbug!” shared with those under the misguided impression that employees of any given Wal-mart in this country ought to be able to wish their customers a “Merry Christmas.”
November 23, 2007 at 08:42
Preach Christ and if you must, use words – St. Francis
It’s not the words we use it’s the life that we lead. It’s not a department store’s job to preach Christ it’s His church. It’s not the stores that we shop at – as much as our attitudes and actions in those stores.
Do we wear our “Jesus Is The Reason” sweatshirts while rudely jockeying for position in line to buy the next big video game?
Do we rush to cut someone off so that we can get that parking space that is 20 feet closer to front door?
Do we demean some poor overworked cashier, who has probably been at work since very early in the morning, because the item that we selected didn’t ring up with the 10% discount that was advertised? All the while wearing our 4 inch wide rhinestone incrusted JESUS pin.
Opportunities to preach Christ are everywhere but never more so than at the Christmas season. We can wear our hearts on our sleeves – literally – and reflect His heart in our actions.
I would not want to in anyway criticize someone else’s convictions but to me when I get caught up in boycotts etc it destracts me from what is really important. And to me that is that we live in a world that is full of darkness and I am supposed to let my light shine before men so that they may see my good works and glorify my Father in heaven. So maybe I should not worry so much about whether the store that I am shopping at advertises Christmas or Holiday sales as much as is my attitude and demeanor reflect to others around me the love that Christ has for them.
November 23, 2007 at 16:34
Decided to check my Thanksgiving Day paper’s inserts. What did the actual stores themselves say? Are references to “Christmas” being removed by businesses? Here are the results, from the Bible belt of the United States:
Out of 53 inserts in the paper vying for Christmas shoppers, only 14 referred to “Christmas” at all, and the word was mentioned one time in 10 of these 14 inserts – mostly when a Christmas tree (which the other stores referred to as a “wonder” or a “miracle” tree) was being sold. I counted one obscured and I am sure accidentally overlooked reference to the word in a “holiday” card half-hidden behind another card in one of the advertisements. Of the remaining four flyers that mentioned Christmas more than once, only three mentioned the word “Christmas” more than two times, and of these two stores, one was a Christian bookstore. The other one gets kudos – not only did it mention Christmas on every other page, it did so in the specific context of giving. In fairness to a few stores that did not mention “Christmas,” I did note that they highlighted opportunities to give to those less fortunate in their ads. That’s the spirit!
Amy – whether Christmas or not, I make it a point to be kind to those I come into contact with. But this time I am going to be sure to wish those who otherwise may not hear the term a very, “Merry Christmas.” Who knows? Maybe they’ll associate the season with the reason.