Grady Russell

I shared in an earlier post about Christmas being my favorite holiday. I have also commented about my desire to wish everyone a “Merry Christmas.” If you haven’t read those posts you might want to “catch up” before reading on.

It has been a while since I have posted but the Christmas season seems to stir the communicator in me. A lot has changed in our lives. Joyce and I have returned home to Alabama where I am pastor of Bethel Worship Center in Wetumka, AL. We still miss our friends and family in Central Florida, but are confident that God has brought us home for His purpose. We both love this new assignment and the many new friends we have made. Wetumpka is in many aspects a long way from Orlando; not as many cars on the rural Alabama highways, not as many houses for sale, not as many folks jamming the crowded malls, not as much sunshine, but the feeling of home brings so much peace, joy, and comfort, especially at this time of year.

Recently, it dawned on me that those sensitive members of our society who do not wish to offend others by uttering the term, “Merry Christmas” and have substituted the term “Happy Holidays” are in need of my assistance. Your decision to be non-offensive is honorable but you are continuing to offend some members of our society. No, it isn’t the Christians; we got over your “political corrections” a few years ago.

However, there is a segment of society that I believe you are hurting. It is the unhappy crowd. That’s right! You are wishing happiness on some folks who do not want your brand of emotional tyranny. There are many legitimate reasons to be unhappy at this time of year. It is the winter solstice, (“Solstice Greetings” by the way unless of course you are into equinoxes and you folks will have to wait a few months.) The lack of sunshine alone is enough to make grown men cry. Never mind all of the loneliness, loss, and grief that seem to be so profound this time of year.

So please cease and desist from your wishes of happiness upon the “happiness challenged” of our land. Your thoughtless verbal barbs only serve to remind them of their joyless existence. How could you be so callused? So in keeping with the spirit of true political correctness, a simple “holidays” should suffice.

Wait, I forgot about the workaholics. I am not at all sure how they would receive a “holiday” greeting. Besides that, I think that “holiday” is actually a combination of “holy” and “day.” I am not sure how to correct that one. I’ll have to get back with you…

In the mean time, please accept my best wishes of a “Merry Christmas” and the hope that all will find the true happiness that can only come through the gift from God that came through Jesus Christ on that first “holy day.” May the love and peace that filled the manger on that first Christmas morn fill your hearts as well.