Living for Jesus

Christmas time is an awkward season for Christians. Most everyone knows that Jesus is indeed the reason for the season. However, the culture in which we live, caught up in the pursuit of not offending those with other religious beliefs, offend Christians instead by replacing Christmas greetings, slogans, and mentions with those of a generic "Happy Holidays."

I recently heard of one elementary school, which, during a reading of "T'was the Night Before Christmas" replaced the final line with: "Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night!" I'm pretty sure, Santa did not say that...

The awkwardness for Christians comes in how to respond to this blatant replacement. For too long Christians have been responding the wrong way. Getting angry at the culture, throwing virtual stones at it, and arguing with it with self-appointed "righteousness" doesn't do Jesus any favors. Peter says in his first epistle that believers are to give an answer for the hope that is in them "with gentleness and respect." Christians do not have to, nor should they, agree with "Christmas replacement" techniques. However, how they respond is of the utmost importance. By giving those opponents of Christmas joy the respect that they are due (being made in the image of God, as all people are) we bring honor to our Lord Jesus in the process. The end goal of this process should be to show and speak the Gospel into those people's lives so that they will see their need for redemption and one day honor Him as Lord too.

In your Christmas endeavors this week, respond to those negative promotions with gentleness and respect and honor Jesus in the process.