Christmas Crisis...

Found an interesting news story on MSNBC today. Seems President Bush can't please anyone. His holiday greeting card sent out to supporters did not include the word "Christmas"- which is a definite indicator in the minds of some that he has abandoned his faith and left the Christian Coalition out in the cold. Some Religious Conservatives are miffed because they feel society at large & big businesses should be heavy-handed into keeping the term "Christmas" around. According to an article in the Washington Post, Macy's was heavily boycotted last year for not including the word "Christmas" in their sales flyer. This year they made sure to include "Merry Christmas" on their brochure to avoid the same punishment. This year, religious activists are boycotting Target for advertising 'Holiday Specials' instead of 'Christmas Specials'. Below are examples of feedback from activist leaders:

"This (White House card) clearly demonstrates that the Bush administration has suffered a loss of will and that they have capitulated to the worst elements in our culture," said William A. Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.

"Bush claims to be a born-again, Evangelical Christian. But he sure doesn't act like one," said Joseph Farah, editor of the conservative Web site WorldNetDaily.com. "I threw out my White House card as soon as I got it."

Better watch out for these guys Mr. Pres. - with friends like these who needs enemies- eh? As a political moderate, I say, "Good for you Bush! Don't let fanatics control your behavior." Fact is, we live in a secularized society and it will become increasingly atheistic as time marches on. Why are we shocked and indignant when our views as Christians aren't espoused or endorsed by the world? Are we that insecure? Just because the secular agenda doesn't include a Nativity or Silent Night- does that have to ruin my Christmas and make it any less spiritual for me? NO! My point is, it's the age old struggle... Everybody thinks their way is the only way and there is NO room for any other views. Does being "right" ever give us the right to be rude? Why can't we live and let live? So secularists don't want the word "Christmas' and the religious set does- why fight about it? We're not in Kindergarten any more, so why all the tantrums? If the sight of a nativity is SO traumatic to a secularist or the use of the term "Holiday Spruce" is SO offensive to the Christian then maybe we need to have a little thicker hides and less hyper-sensitivity? Truly it's no joking matter & be careful what you say these days! People were ready to shoot each other over "One Nation Under God" a few years ago. Remember, Peter used a sword to defend his cause & was rebuked by the very Master he sought to protect. Our kingdom is NOT of this world! Would Jesus get distracted & duke it out over this type of thing or would He see the bigger picture and quietly keep going about His Father's work? Thousands in the southern states are suffering in the wake of the hurricanes and people are worried about words and formalities?! Sorry, but it doesn't make much sense to me. Instead of debating over the WORD "Christmas" why not BE CHRISTMAS for someone in need?