This season it's become a little difficult to know how to greet one another around the holidays. There are some who take offense to the phrase "Merry Christmas", and others that take offense when the greeting is omitted or not returned. To alleviate the discomfort some have reverted to simply saying "happy holidays". For me, I return the greeting as it's given. If I'm greeted with Merry Christmas, I return the phrase. This also applies to Shalom, Happy Kwanzaa, and so on. It's simply a form of respect for different cultures, religions, and beliefs. And while I know it's difficult for most religious folks to embrace something or someone outside of their own beliefs. for all including the Sunday Believer it's an opportunity.
Jesus approached those of other religions and beliefs very differently than we do. Though most of Jesus’ ministry occurred in a small region of the world to a largely homogenous Jewish society, He still found opportunities to interact with those of foreign backgrounds, who most certainly carried their traditional religions and beliefs with them. Jesus spoke with Romans, who came from a polytheistic background; with Syrians and Canaanites, who traditionally worshipped idols including Baal and Ashtoreth; He also interacted with Samaritans, whose religion was similar to the Jewish faith in that they followed the Torah and believed in a coming Messiah, but had differences in how they worshiped and looked to Mount Gerizim as their holiest site.
What's interesting is that Jesus didn’t try to convince people to believe anything new, change any behavior, or join his group. He simply loved them, praised the good in them, and only answered the questions they were actually asking. As believers, we should leave behind some of the agenda-based dialogue and argumentative approaches that have neither achieved our goals of convincing others to change nor reflected the heart of our Savior. We should follow the ways of Christ doing just as He did --- loving, healing, praising, and responding to what is truly on people’s hearts.
This holiday season I encourage you to embrace the conversations and beliefs of others with an open mind, and a goal of offering a sincere conversation, just as Christ did long ago. It's good for the spirit and healing for the soul. And to all...Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Shalom, Happy Hanukkah, Namaste, Happy Diwali, and Happy Holidays.
SK Caraway, Director
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
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