It’s that time of year again…when Christians post (angry) messages about stores employees wishing them, “Happy Holidays.” (The nerve!)

I refuse to be offended by this greeting or salutation. You can justify your anger by saying the world is taking “Christ” out of Christmas; I will counter by saying that that has never been the world’s role.

Over and over again I see Christians making much out of what the world is, or is not doing. I hear of boycotts for this and that, yet once the initial frenzy has died down those very same people are participating in that which they were once so vehemently against.

Please hear me loud and clear, if you are convicted that you need to stop shopping at a mega warehouse store, (ahem, Target), by all means please do. But, more often than not, I realize that these extreme efforts are fueled by fear and hatred. Added noise in an already noisy world.

What we often do when we feel uncomfortable is exactly the opposite of what we, as Christians, have been commanded to do. Love. We cannot remove the light that we are called to shine from the very places that need the light the most.

And we cannot expect the world to do the church’s job.

One more time for the people in the back: Stop expecting the world to do the church’s job.

It is not the job of retail stores to have their employees say, “Merry Christmas.” Nor is it the job of Starbucks to create festive and beautiful Christmas cups from which we can sip our favorite warm beverages. (BTW: The red cups were no more offensive or less festive than anything they have designed since.)

We will continue to be disappointed if we let culture define how Christmas should look, feel, smell and even taste.

I dare say we are all guilty of looking a lot like the Christmas of our culture: our trees and decorations, our spending and participation in Christmasy things that have nothing to do with Jesus.

And, I think it’s okay.

Let’s be less offendable this holiday season, what say you? Instead of rant and rage, let’s extend kindness and grace. Let’s be the living examples of the meaning of this very season.

Let’s be willing to rub shoulders with people who hold different views, beliefs and values.

Rather than judging the world, why not pray a blessing over the people we encounter this season–even the ones who have the audacity to wish us a “Happy Holidays.”