STOP the Fight Over "Merry Christmas"

It is mind-boggling to me that Christians think they are doing Jesus a favor by picking a fight with retailers who say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas". I know one situation where people who tell retailers that they -- and their church--won't shop there unless they say "Merry Christmas". That gives a witness. But it doesn't seem to me to have the characteristics of a Christlike witness.
First of all, "Merry Christmas" does not convey a religious message. "May Christ be born in your heart" is a religious message. "May God bless you" is a religious message. But "Merry Christmas" is not a greeting that gives a testimony to faith. That, alone, is a clue that this is not a holy battle to fight.
Secondly, I don't think it is the responsibility of retailers to proclaim the good news of Christ's birth. That is the message--and responsibility-- of the CHURCH. Why should a Lowe's or a Belk's or a Target be pressured--overtly or subtly--to give ALL its customers the message of Christ's birth. The job of retailers is to sell things. Aren't Christians uncomfortable with the purpose of retail sales getting mixed with the message of our Savior? Shouldn't the church first and foremost remember -- and remind others that our Savior was born into poverty and warned us about the spiritual seduction of things. Shouldn't the message of Christians be that the joy of Christmas is NOT in things--the opposite of what retailers are trying to promote?
Third, so Christians think there is some kind of seasonal exception to the Golden Rule? Maybe, for some, because it is the season of Jesus' birth, somehow, it is all right to ignore the teachings of Jesus? I don't think so. Jesus explicitly taught that we were to love our neighbors the same way we want to be loved. So how about this: This year, everyone in the community would say "Merry Christmas!" (which, as I have already mentioned, is not really a religious phrase). Then, next year, because we want to live out the Golden Rule, everyone in the community would say, "Happy Hannukah!" How much Golden Rule obedience do you think that would bring? And remember, when we are talking about respect for our neighbors of Jewish faith, we should remember that our Savior, Jesus, was a Jew.
We are living in a contentious, belligerent society. While it may be natural to want to fight about anything and everything, that is not the way of Christ...and I don't see that we can have a Christlike influence in the world by abandoning His teaching. "Inasmuch as it depends on you", Paul wrote in Romans 12, "live at peace with all." Don't think anyone does Jesus a favor by insisting that everyone say, "Merry Christmas." A much more powerful Christian witness would be loving others the way He loved us.
I believe in being a witness for Jesus during Advent (and every season). During Advent, you will find me wearing Chritmas sweaters that show Christ's birth. You will find me wearing jewelry that says "Peace on earth" and "Joy to the world". You will find me going out of my way to be patient and courteous and kind when I am shopping. You will find me offering a blessing to people who work the checkout lines -- not a lecture from the Pharisee language police about why they should say "Merry Christmas" if they want my business. You will find me tipping generously and writing a blessing on the restaurant checks and doing unexpected, anonymous gifts for others.
The witness of Christ-followers should be consistent with the example and teaching of the Christ we are following. We can be creative. We can be kind. We can be thoughtful. We can win people to Jesus with the love they see in words and actions.
I'm all for keeping Christ in Christmas. I just don't believe that picking a fight with people who are trying to practice the Golden Rule is much of a Christian witness. Keep Christ in Christmas is not a matter of certain words. Keeping Christ first and foremost has to do with prayer and devotional reading in a busy season. Keep Christ in Christmas is doing good deeds and generosity toward those less fortunate. Keeping Christ in Christmas takes place when we extend Christlike grace and kindness to those we meet each day. Keeping Christ in Christmas is something that we show by the way we live.
More than a "Merry Christmas", my prayer is for a Christ-filled season. I pray that our actions will be characterized by the humility, kindness, grace and love that will show that Jesus has come into our hearts That's where the real Christian witness will be found.