Children laugh with anticipation. Stockings are hung with joy. Chestnuts roast on an open fire.

Sleigh bells jingle. A list is checked twice. “Ho, ho, ho!”

Happy Hanukah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Winter Solstice! Happy Holidays!

BAH, HUMBUG!!!

It’s Christmas time and I’m going to do something about it. I’ve got a radical idea. Subversive even. Everywhere I go I will wish people a…a…Merry Christmas!

Unashamed and unabashedly. Politely and graciously. Firm and gentle.

What child is this?

*

At Starbucks I asked the Barista why she didn’t wish people a “Merry Christmas”. “Is there a policy against it?”

“No,” she answered. “I just don’t want to offend people.”

“Well,” I said with a grin, “I’m offended that you don’t say ‘Merry Christmas’. This season is about the birth of Jesus Christ who came into this world to save sinners.”

A second Barista piped in that she believed in Christmas and God.

Across the room, a mother and daughter were waiting for their double-expresso-soymilk-half-caf, free-range latte with extra whip. Mom said to me, “I’m offended.”

“Why?” I asked.

She didn’t answer because I think she was joking. So I took the opportunity to share my sixty second testimony with her, her daughter and the second Barista. I gave each of them a Gospel of John and invited them to my church.

The first Barista refused her Gospel of John.

Joy to the world!

*
At Rite-Aid, I asked Helen the cashier if they were allowed to say “Merry Christmas” here.

She answered, “Yes.”

“You mean you don’t have to say the generic, politically correct ‘Happy Holidays’?”

Paul the store manager overheard our conversation and interrupted. “We can say whatever we want!”

“That’s great!” I exclaimed. “You mean you can even say that Jesus died for your sins, was buried for three days and rose again?”

Paul nodded. Helen was quiet.

“That’s awesome,” I declared. “I’m coming back here. Merry CHRIST-MASS!”

Go tell it on the mountain.

*****At another Rite Aide, the cashier’s name was Manuel. What do you think I said? What would you have said? Let me know.

-At “Why-Not Burger”, the counter girl wore a button that read, “Naughty or Nice?” What would you have said to her? What do you think I said? Let me know.

***** Will you please pray for me and my family? Since I’ve made this commitment to evangelize daily the spiritual battle has really been brutal. I need your support! Thank-you, Steve