As a Christian,  I hear a lot about "Keeping Christ In Christmas" over the holiday season with one of the major issues being the "Merry Christmas" vs "Happy Holidays" debate.

Here's a typical scenario: Jake, who is a Christian, has just finished his purchase at a local retail store.  Becky, the store employee who completed Jake's transaction, smiles and wishes him "Happy Holidays" as he exits.  Jake, in his noble effort to keep Christ in Christmas, responds with a wry, "Merry Christmas".

So, what's the problem?  Well, if this were simply just a simple exchange of good tidings between strangers, then no, there would be nothing wrong this scenario.  However, I don't see that as what is really happening. 

Let's look at the above scenario from a different angle:   Jake wants to Keep Christ in Christmas, so the motivation in his response towards Becky probably had nothing to do with wishing her a merry anything.   Rather, Jake's "Merry Christmas" response was probably motivated more by spite than it was kindness.  Come again?  You see, anytime Jake hears someone wish him "Happy Holidays", he takes offense.  Jake no longer hears someone wishing him good tidings, but instead hears someone taking another stab at keeping Christ out of Christmas.  And so this is where things begin to unravel - because in a case like this, Jake's response of "Merry Christmas" resembles more a stiff middle finger than it does a warm, friendly wish of good tidings.

Listen, I'm not saying that none of us have a right to be offended.  There are a lot of people out there who would like to dismantle our faith. But, I'm sure it's not Becky over at the Gap.  I'm sure she's just trying to make a wage like anyone else, probably working under demands and pressures just like anyone else, and probably could use some genuine kindness and love shared with her just like anyone else.

Maybe Jesus isn't so much concerned about whether or not someone wishes you a "Merry Christmas" this season.  Christ came into this world to offer love, grace, and peace; he came to us offering forgiveness.  Maybe if we really want to make a genuine effort to keep Christ in Christmas this season (and seasons to come), then maybe we need to start enacting and sharing the same kind of love, grace, and peace with others that Jesus has shared with us. Let's not turn "Merry Christmas" into a middle finger.

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..." - Philippians 2:1-5

Advent Week 3 - Rejoice!

"Sing, O Daughter of Zion;
       shout aloud, O Israel!
       Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
       O Daughter of Jerusalem!
The LORD has taken away your punishment,
       he has turned back your enemy.
       The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you;
       never again will you fear any harm.
 
 The LORD your God is with you,
       he is mighty to save.
       He will take great delight in you,
       he will quiet you with his love,
       he will rejoice over you with singing." - Zephania 3:14-15,17

Today, our celebration is one of rejoicing.  Through the birth of Christ, the Kingdom of God entered into our world.  Through His death and resurrection that Kingdom has been activated.  Our story now - as a people of God - is a work of preparation and anticipation for the full reality of God coming to be among us.  On that day, God will bring restoration and peace; and His presence will satisfy all of creation as He rejoices in the joining of His Groom and Bride.

Until that day, we wait.  But, let us rejoice in our time of anticipation.  We have much reason to celebrate: God has drawn near.  In Jesus, we discover our invitation to draw near to Him...

"O Come All Ye Faithful"
"Joy to the World"
Hark the Herald Angels Sing"
"SMS Shine"
"Doxology"

Worship Tricks

...I really suck at blogging.  I just have not gotten into the groove of posting new stuff.  I hope that will change.

For now, I'm going to send you over to a blog by Jonny Baker where he posts creative ideas for worship elements that he calls, "worship tricks":

http://jonnybaker.blogs.com/jonnybaker/worship_tricks/wtindex.html

There is a world of creativity out there relating to the worship arts: imagery, music, icons, and on and on.  Sometimes it is all to easy to get stuck in a routine of worship planning.  I know that I personally have a tendency to focus all my creative energy on the musical arrangements of songs - and while that is certainly not a bad thing, I do wish that I could produce more creative elements for worship beyond just music.  There are times when I'm browsing through a site like the one I linked to above when I feel a bit guilty or jealous, thinking to myself, "why didn't I think of that!"...often times, the ideas are so simple that just a bit of time thinking outside of the box could produce them.

So, here's to more creativity and originality within the church and the worship arts - and here's hoping that I'll spend a little more time trying to produce my own unique elements.  Or at least rip them off from someone else!