Merry Christmas

[blhowes]

The day's almost here. I'd like to wish you...

Well, Christmas is almost here. I've gleaned from some threads that there are different levels of interest in the holiday with folks on the PB, so I'd like to wish you a Merry Christmas...or a happy non-celebrated pagan's day...or a nice Thursday...whichever fits best, to you and yours.

Luk 2:10-14 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

 

[Scynne]

And a Merry Thursday to you, too!

...and bah humbug

 

[APuritansMind]

We are honest with each other here on the PB regarding Christmas, nativity scenes, etc., but I have two questions about the way you respond to Christians and/or non-Christians when the following is directed your way.

1. "Merry Christmas!"

2. That's a pretty nativity scene, isn't it?" (scene includes a baby Jesus and three wise men)

 

[jaybird0827]

We are honest with each other here on the PB regarding Christmas, nativity scenes, etc., but I have two questions about the way you respond to Christians and/or non-Christians when the following is directed your way.

1. "Merry Christmas!"

Depending on timing and context -

(a) Enjoy your holiday.
(b) Happy New Year.
(c) Have a nice day.

2. That's a pretty nativity scene, isn't it?" (scene includes a baby Jesus and three wise men)

(Pointing in another direction) ... Hey look! Monkeys!

 

[LawrenceU]

1. Merry Christmas or Happy Christmas

2. I launch into a sermonette. Actually, I usually use it as a jumping off point regarding the history of Christ's birth and the gospel.

 

[Notthemama1984]

It depends on the person. If the person is a minister or should know better, then I may say something about the 2nd commandment. If the person is just a lay person and may be acting out of ignorance, I tread lightly.

As for the whole Merry Christmas thing. I simply say Merry Christmas back. To me Christmas is just a time for family to get together and relax for a few days. So it would be perfectly ok for me to wish someone a good time with family.

 

[LadyFlynt]

As a lay-person, I would (or rather have learned to) tread lightly with a pastor. Particularly as a female...some males just don't like it when a FEMALE says something.

On the first one (much the same as Jay)

1. Enjoy your holiday
2. Have a great day
3. You too (though, upon saying this, I realise it implies that I'm doing the same...uhm, gotta figure another one out. I mainly try to steer away from a long conversation)
4. Hubby says "merry christmass" back just to prevent any issues or questions.

If it's someone I'm getting closer to and the timing is appropriate, I will simply say we don't recognise or celebrate.

 

[Whitefield]

We are honest with each other here on the PB regarding Christmas, nativity scenes, etc., but I have two questions about the way you respond to Christians and/or non-Christians when the following is directed your way.

1. "Merry Christmas!"

2. That's a pretty nativity scene, isn't it?" (scene includes a baby Jesus and three wise men)

1. response: "Merry Christmas"

2. response: "Yes, it is."

 

[Iakobos_1071]

This is a great thread.. I end up looking like a big jerk I guess.. I just tell them that I don't Celebrate Christmas, They ask 'why' .. I say 'religious reasons', They say 'are you Jewish?' I say 'no... I am Christian'.. then they will either ask about it or look at me weird and keep going.

 

[Southern Presbyterian]

1. Merry Christmas or Happy Christmas

2. I launch into a sermonette. Actually, I usually use it as a jumping off point regarding the history of Christ's birth and the gospel.

 

[Honor]

ok honestly... I say
1.) Merry Christmas to you too.
2.) It is, I just LOVE Nativity scenes

 

[Kevin]

1) Thank you, & a Merry Christmas to you.

2) Yes it is very nice.

 

[Honor]

Merry Christmas!

 

[Prufrock]

I guess you've already received enough answers, but:

1.) "Oh, thank you very much; I hope you have a great day as well." (Kind of an ambiguous answer...)
2.) "Yeah, I don't really like the whole nativity scene idea..."
(I find this answer to be particularly intriguing when among other Christians, who will of course ask, "Why not?" After which I can explain. This has rarely come up with nativity scenes for me, but more frequently with other artwork)

 

[APuritansMind]

P.S. Oh, and I assure you that no nativity seen has a Baby Jesus. Christ is "all growed up" and is the King of kings.

I should have included the words "image of" in my original post to describe the infant.

 

[LadyFlynt]

Enjoy the day with your family

 

[BJClark]

APuritansMind;

1. "Merry Christmas!"

I typically say "Merry Christmas" back--

2. That's a pretty nativity scene, isn't it?" (scene includes a baby Jesus and three wise men)

This one leads to longer discussions, I typically say "It's lovely, but He did not remain that infant in the manager, He did grow up and He did die on a Cross and He is sitting at Right hand of God now, and if people would stop looking at Him as if He is still that little infant and see Him for the Lord and Savior He was born to be; their lives may actually change. But for some reason people want to keep Him in that little cradle so they do not have to fear Him and what He can do to their soul." They look at me like I'm crazy, and I say.."well, His birth was a miracle and yes, a wonderful thing, but it's the WHY He was born that is more important and what we should focus on."


They continue to look at me as if I am crazy (which is okay) and respond with either "Oh okay" or "yeah, your right" or a rolling of the eyes..but if nothing else it leaves them with something to think about..as the Holy Spirit leads.

 

[kvanlaan]

Hey look! Monkeys!

Great line - just so you know, I'm going to be using that one with some regularity (and I may not be crediting you, sorry!)

 

[Backwoods Presbyterian]

Merry Christmas!!!

No need to be a snob...

 

[Honor]

hey back when I was pregnant with my oldest our old church did a walk through live nativity thing... I volunteered to play the before Mary... they were all for it till they realized my due date was so near Christmas they declined saying they wanted a scene not a re enactment...LOL

 

[LawrenceU]

hey back when I was pregnant with my oldest our old church did a walk through live nativity thing... I volunteered to play the before Mary... they were all for it till they realized my due date was so near Christmas they declined saying they wanted a scene not a re enactment...LOL

 

[Blue Tick]

1. "Merry Christmas!"

My response:

Say what! There's nothing merry about Christmas!

Then I pull out my bible hit them over the head with it 3 times. Command Satan to come out of this poor demon possessed person and then ask them if they would like to ask Jesus into their heart.

Just kidding. Ha!

Actually, I don't respond with a Merry Christmas back, just have a nice day to you.

2. That's a pretty nativity scene, isn't it?" (scene includes a baby Jesus and three wise men)

Never had anyone say that to me.

 

[jaybird0827]

Hey look! Monkeys!

Great line - just so you know, I'm going to be using that one with some regularity (and I may not be crediting you, sorry!)

I'll thank my son for you ... it's his.

 

[APuritansMind]

P.S. Oh, and I assure you that no nativity seen has a Baby Jesus. Christ is "all growed up" and is the King of kings.

I should have included the words "image of" in my original post to describe the infant.

Of course, Friend, this wouldn't be accurate either.

I'm such a stickler!

I think I'll just give up while I'm ahead!

(Actually, I should take my time and be more precise with my words - usually just the typos get me)

 

[JohnGill]

1. Happy Hanukkah - to non-christians; if they ask if I'm jewish I say no, and I'm not Catholic either
2. I don't celebrate the mass of Christ, I'm Baptist not Catholic - to Christians; opens the door to explain the application of the 2nd commandment.

 

[SRoper]

I know, "Hey look! Monkeys!" is a recurring line in the Monkey Island games. I wonder if the phrase predates that series.

 

[blhowes]

1. "Merry Christmas!"

Merry Christmas to you too.

2. That's a pretty nativity scene, isn't it?" (scene includes a baby Jesus and three wise men)

Most likely (unless it was a hideously ugly nativity) I'd say yes.

 

[Scynne]

1) I usually give a 'Happy Holidays' back, or sometimes simply ignore it, moving the conversation along.
2) "Funny you should ask. You see..."

 

[he beholds]

I guess you've already received enough answers, but:

1.) "Oh, thank you very much; I hope you have a great day as well." (Kind of an ambiguous answer...)
2.) "Yeah, I don't really like the whole nativity scene idea..."
(I find this answer to be particularly intriguing when among other Christians, who will of course ask, "Why not?" After which I can explain. This has rarely come up with nativity scenes for me, but more frequently with other artwork)

These are pretty much exactly my responses!
I might not even add anything and just stop with "Thanks."

Well, I guess like Blue tick, I've never had anyone say the nativity thing to me, either.

 

[MrMerlin777]

We are honest with each other here on the PB regarding Christmas, nativity scenes, etc., but I have two questions about the way you respond to Christians and/or non-Christians when the following is directed your way.

1. "Merry Christmas!"

2. That's a pretty nativity scene, isn't it?" (scene includes a baby Jesus and three wise men)

1. response: "Merry Christmas"

2. response: "Yes, it is."

Same here.