What's "Merry Christmas" have to do with Christ?

Every December the pundits get all worked up because this retailer or that one has banned the words "Merry Christmas" from their stores.  Personally, I'm all in favor of the ban, but not for the usual claim of tolerance.  I find it very difficult to see what bowing down to the gods of consumerism and indulgence have to with Jesus Christ. 

Look around any shopping mall and you'll observe those who are the modern day Magi who carry expensive, extravagant gifts.  However, rather than laying them before the King who rightly desires them, they're laid under an inverted artificial evergreen tree.  Given to those who already have more things than they possibly know what to do with. 

There may be no greater example of this than the International Star Registry.  For a mere $54 plus S&H, this firm will put your name or the name of someone you love in a book and denote that a certain star now has your name.  According the the company's website, over 1,000,000 people have taken advantage of their service.  I find their FAQ especially amusing.

Q: Am I buying the star?

A: No. We do not own the star, so we cannot sell it to you.  This is like adopting the star. This star is associated with that special someone. It is something you can point at to know that there is something special out there for you.

Q: Will the scientific community recognize my star name?

A: No. We are a private company that provides Gift Packages. Astronomers will not recognize your name because your name is published only in our Star catalog. We periodically print a book called Your Place in the Cosmos © which lists the stars that we have named.

  Q: Can I return the product?

A: Yes. If you are not completely satisfied, you may return your product for a full refund. We want you to appreciate our products and if you are not happy, then we are not happy.

     Just how does one go about returning a star?  Our society has become so overwhelmed with things, that some turn to the absurd in order to give a gift. 

You can call be a Scrooge, but when many people spend more on a single gift than all Jesus earned in his entire lifetime, I just don't think that makes Christ merry.  What does make Christ happy is when we provide for the least of his brothers and sisters.

Comments

[Mark Winter]

John,

Here, here! My sister recently emailed me a 'letter from God' expressing these very sentiments, which I will post on my blog very soon.

[The Thief]

I'm with you here. The "righteous indignation" over not saying "Merry Christmas" is silly, especially with the materialism that is being espoused while complaining about "Happy Holidays"