The presents have all been unwrapped. Leftovers will be served to unsuspecting individuals for the next week. Festive lights and decorations will soon be taken down to prepare for a new year.
Ah… Christmas, as the song goes, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”
As my girlfriend and I drove from parents house to parents house and back yesterday, something struck me. Now for those that know me, you know I have no problems conjuring up a political squabble from time to time. This time I will mix a little bit of religion in the mix. Did anyone else notice that EVERYTHING was closed yesterday? Seriously, even Wal-Mart (the devil in disquise) was closed yesterday. Doesn’t that seem a bit odd? In a country where we are no longer allowed to utter the word’s “Merry Christmas” in fear of being reprimanded, every single business was closed on Christmas day.
Why?
Why is it that in a country where nativity scenes breach the boundaries of the seperation of church and state all businesses were closed on Christmas? Why is that in a country that was founded on Christianity, are those same Christians being suppressed to the point of not being able to say “Merry Christmas” because it might offend other religions, yet, everything was closed on Christmas? Why is that the big box retailers have taken “Christ” completely out of “Christ”mas, again because it is not politically correct, but they rely on Christmas sales to guide their profits for the year?
All of these things kind of just struck me at once, and I needed a place to vent my frustrations. After talking about it with my girlfriend, she said to me that it sounds like another goal for this year just made itself apparent. I need to work on my own faith.
After growing up in the church and understanding enough to build the foundation of my morals and beliefs, I, like most teenagers, strayed away in search of answers. During my four years in the Marine Corps I got a bit closer to the big man upstairs, but never really latched back on to the “every Sunday church-going experience.” In recent years I’m maintained the same level of belief. I know there is a greater being, a creator, a “god,” but for some reason have not been able to call him, “God.”
Therefore, in light of my disgust for the politically correct, I will make it a priority to find the answers that I need to grow stronger in my faith of Christianity.
Merry Christmas
7 responses so far ↓
1 Tim // Dec 26, 2007 at 3:19 pm
I also noticed that almost all stores were closed but I found there is one exception to the rule Chinese restaraunts and conviences stores in my areas were open. I miss the good old days when palces were closed out of the repsect for the true meaning of Christmas. Alas times change
2 JDevL // Dec 26, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Are you meaning you are trying to grow in your “faith of Christianity” in general? Or are you trying to define yourself as a Christian now and grow stronger in your personal faith?
I have bashed the Christianity quite a bit in the last year so I know I’d like to grow my faith in Christianity as a religion, even if it isn’t my personal religion.
More recently you were classifying yourself as Agnostic, but trying to define your belief in god/God at the same time. Have you taken another step in embracing Christianity for yourself?
One thing I did notice in the past week, was even though the ads are still saying Happy Holidays, individual employees and people on the street were much more open about saying Merry Christmas as we got closer to the day. For some reason, I didn’t expect that.
3 Craig // Dec 26, 2007 at 6:13 pm
Bravo, hardest working man in interactive marketing. Faith is a deeply personal journey for everyone, good luck with yours. However, while this nation was founded by Christian men (and Deist men, really), it was not a nation founded “on Christianity.” Keep fighting the good fight against political correctness.
4 Kevin W // Dec 26, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Jim, this is a very good topic to blog about, and I enjoyed reading this, as well as your previous post. While our religious views are different, I feel that this whole PC trip that our country is on has definitely gotten out of control as well.
I would like to reply to a comment left by Tim though.
Tim, why would you expect Chinese restaurants and convenience stores to be closed. Many, if not most of these business are owned by non christians, so what would they gain from shutting down shop? Do you take off from work to celebrate the Chinese New Year?
5 j.Brown // Dec 26, 2007 at 7:43 pm
@JDevl – I’m saying that I want to grow my faith in the Christian religion. At the end of our days, I may find out that I was wrong in my choosings, but I’d rather believe and be wrong, than to not believe and be wrong.
@Craig – Thanks for you comments, and the correction of “by” and not “on” in referring to Christian founders. You are correct, but I strongly believe that their belief in a “god” that they called “God” is one of the reasons our country has had such a prosperous two and half centuries.
@Kevin W – Yes, the PC trip is ridiculous. Our first amendment right is freedom of speech, yet the left wing liberals are trying to take that right away from us so that only their voices are heard. While I’m not a racist by any regards, it seems as though WASP’s (white anglo saxon protestant males) are being outcast as the new minority in the US. Also to your point about Chinese resturaunts being open on Christmas – I agree… I believe that all businesses that weren’t owned/operated by Christians, SHOULD have been open on Christmas day.
6 Nicki // Dec 26, 2007 at 10:53 pm
Interesting that Mark C introduced us… We have a lot of similarities, as I’m learning from your blogging. (religion-in some regard, goals for weight loss and debt)
Regarding the religion blog; I was not brought up attending church regularly. I went occasionally with my best friend who attended church at LEAST three times a week. My kids attend church almost every Sunday with their Grandmother, but for some reason, I have a difficult time making myself adhere to the same practice. Why? I ask myself… I’ve actually gotten dressed several times to go with my best friend that I used to go with as a child, 20 years ago. But for some reason, I find some selfishly ridiculous reason to turn around and stay home, and say “I’ll go next week”.
I have made attending church regularly and developing a stronger relationship with Christ a New Year’s resolution soo many times. I’ve also told myself that same thing soo many times after something good has graced my life, and on the flip side-every time I survive something that I don’t know if I’ll make it through that I Must begin that relationship… But, at 29 years of age, I am still in the same routine. Sleeping in on Sundays and waiting for that perfect time for Nicki to feel comfortable, or to find a significant other willing and wanting to go to church with me. I guess I need to wake up and realize that if I haven’t found that mate in my 29 years, that I should stop making excuses, and Just Do It!!
Regarding the 1st amendment… I am appalled that the Pledge of Allegiance is not allowed in schools! How many times have we been to gatherings and had to say the Pledge? I would be so embarrassed if my children couldn’t say it. Luckily, they attended a Christian preschool, where it was allowed, and can recite it.
Great topic Jim. I could spend hours with questions and comments about it, but wanted to share my personal saga with religion…
Merry Christmas-and, I don’t walk on eggshells upon saying Merry Christmas to anyone. Jesus IS the reason for the season.
p.s. I was out of broccoli on Christmas day and went to the Asian restaurant by my house and bought two containers of fresh broccoli… I also needed a digital camera before the kids opened their gifts and got one at Walgreen’s, which was open 24 hours,… even on Christmas!
7 Kelly // Dec 27, 2007 at 9:02 am
At least some gas stations have to be open for the morons who don’t fill up the day before. But I found it odd that Hardee’s was open.
Hardees, seriously?
I wish you luck in your new year’s journey. It’s just like anything else that takes self-discipline…you’ll wander and forget. Just gotta keep getting back on track. He’ll always be there.
Merry Christmas! And Happy New Year!
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