Carroll Marr is the senior pastor of Southcliff Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. "I don't really want to bore you with the facts about me. I'm just a normal guy. A pastor. A husband. A Dad. A wannabe Granddad. If you'd like more information about all things Carroll, well just read on."
I feel that I must give you some insight into the purpose of this blog. Actually, I am not sure of its purpose but can tell you what you might expect. I will use this space to chat about things that I observe, think, experience, or otherwise encounter. To me, a blog is an opportunity to openly dialogue and stimulate thinking. I will not always answer questions raised; in fact, at times, I will raise them and challenge you to answer. I will always, I think, leave the topic incomplete. That, to me, is the nature of a blog. If I complete the topic it should be a book and not a blog. Sometimes the thoughts will be fun sometimes serious. I do not intend to give you a daily devotional though I would be happy to recommend a couple. My hope is to inspire at times, encourage at others, entertain at others and occasionally make you think a little. We will see if I accomplish any of the above.
Ok, I must say at the outset that this will make some of you angry, but hear me out then decide. The annual debate among believers is about leaving Christ out of Christmas. As you might be aware, First Baptist Dallas has even launched a web site that gives folks an opportunity to voice opinions about local business’ Holiday Spirit – or the lack thereof. The site is “Grinch Alert” and focuses on those businesses that greet shoppers with “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.” The idea of course is that to say “Happy Holidays”, the politically correct holiday phrase, is to leave Christ out of Christmas, while the greeting “Merry Christmas” is to include Him in the celebration.
Now, I do not intend to be Scrooge, and I actually hate being politically correct about anything, but I wonder if our philosophy – as believers that is – is flawed? Does “Merry Christmas” really acknowledge Christ? Does “Happy Holidays” actually exclude Him? Is it that easy? Can we and should we expect unbelievers to understand what Christmas is all about? Can they ever? Is it reasonable to assume that expressing my frustration with a store that does not have a believer as the CEO or in the decision making position on this matter will do any good? Can my protest and does my protest lead them to a knowledge of who this Christ is? I am even bothered by the level of anger that is often expressed by believers toward nonbelievers about the fact that they do not acknowledge Christ in Christmas. Can we really expect that they ever will? My experience has taught me that they cannot, and Paul even says that only as God reveals the truth will anyone ever get it. I think to put Christ in Christmas you must know Him and have a relationship with Him, and the phrase “Merry Christmas” is not even an indication that believers have placed Christ at the center in their own celebration.
At the risk of opening another can or worms, it reminds me of a statement my dad used to make about the argument of prayer in public schools. Dad would often say, “I am amazed that so many of the people that argue for prayer in public school do not pray at home.” (and I am for prayer in Public Schools)
Listen, I prefer “Merry Christmas” and will use that greeting but I do so because I know what the holiday is all about. However, I am not upset with others who do not because it is likely that they might not know. I just do not expect those who are not believers to act like, and have the same values, as those who are. People without Christ are what believers often call, “lost” and they are good at it. They use a lot of words and phrases that are rather offensive to me, but I know I cannot change their vocabulary until God changes their heart. Maybe the campaign we need to be focused on is one that shares the message of Christmas – that God loves us as we are and came to earth, becoming man, to live and die to pay our sin debt that we might be made right with God. I believe when folks understand that, their vocabulary will follow, and they will be the first to say “Merry Christmas.”
I do find it interesting that we as believers can get more upset over the right phrase than the state of heart another person might have. It is easier to get believers to sign a petition to use “Merry Christmas” than to share the Gospel of Christmas.
Well, just a thought. I do hope you will have a Happy Holiday Season, one that will allow you to know the love that God has for you expressed in the sending of His son, Jesus. That knowledge will change everything.
Merry Christmas.
Dear Dr. Marr: I read Merry Happy Holiday Christmas with great curiosity. The more I read the more I was reminded of my own childhood upbringing. Until I was 23 years old and a born-again Christian was I aware how Jesus fit into the scope of the Christmas season. Merry Christmas was always used by my family, but God was not welcomed in our home. So using Merry Christmas isn’t a matter of leaving Christ in or out of one’s holiday. It’s a common seasonal saying. I believe until one believes in Jesus, to any degree, would one understand the virgin birth. When I wish someone a Merry Christmas I do not necessarily express Christ. I would like to think I’m more straight forward than that to share the “good news.”