Happy Holidays? I think not!

IT'S MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Say it with me now:
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I have to say that one of the most annoying things about this time of year is all the people walking around telling you "Happy Holidays." Um, no. It's not "the holidays." It's CHRISTmas. That's right. I'm one of those annoying Christian people who wants to remind the rest of the world-----which has commercialized Christmas into something so warped I don't even recognize it anymore----that the reason for the season is to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

It's not about Santa Claus. Although, as our pastor preached last Sunday, the man on whom the fictional Santa Claus is based was actually a very good Christian man. But what that real person has been turned into is a crying shame. Somewhere along the way, people got the idea that Christmas was about how many gifts you'll get, being good enough to put one over on Santa so you still get those gifts, or whether your parents were able to trample everyone else in line at Walmart to get you the hottest item this season.

No, I hate to break it to you, but Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus. I have taught my son---who is only 3---to say "Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus." And let me tell you, it annoys the majority of people we meet. In Target last Wednesday, several people were telling us "Happy Holidays." But Connor, in the way that only a child can, gleefully responded by saying "Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus." Some people thought it was cute, some did not.

I realize to a great portion of the world, Christmas isn't about Christ. And how sad that is, because they are missing out on the love, joy and peace that comes along with knowing the greatest reason for the season.