Dear Fellow Orthodox Christians,

We know Christmas is coming when some Christians with seemingly nothing better to do again start whining about Christmas’ destruction. American Family Association’s website says: “Gap continues to censor Christmas.” The AFA’s and other sites are abuzz with warnings that the Mrs. Fields cookie people are “banning” the word “Christmas” and that Lowe’s is selling “Family” instead of “Christmas” trees. Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family rambles on about “The Attack on Christmas 2007.” Does this affect us?

Not at all! Orthodox do not walk in lockstep with the AFA, Focus and other groups that decry the “war” on Christmas. Each year these groups, like clockwork, resurrect the bogeyman of Christmas’ demise. And faithful people just as reliably contribute to these groups thinking they’re doing God’s work and staving off the elimination of Christmas by shadowy governmental or corporate cabals — for yet another year.

However Orthodox Christians know better. We’ve known for two thousand years that Christians don’t need governmental support or permission — nor that of Mrs. Fields, Lowe’s, Gap or any other corporation — to say “Merry Christmas” to each other and keep the Feast of the Nativity. In fact Orthodox Christians have kept Christmas alive and well for almost two millennia even in the face of savage Roman, Muslim & Communist persecution — and without government or corporate support.

Would we like more faith in popular culture? Sure. But we know we’re better served by concentrating our energy on preserving Christmas in our homes, churches and hearts — and not asking government or industry to assume our responsibility for promulgating the Faith. Instead of obsessing about the “War on Christmas” we focus on Christ’s mandate to love our neighbors regardless of faith or creed — thus showing that Orthodoxy is a harbor of faith, love and stability in a tempest-tossed world.

So whether you choose to buy your cookies from Mrs. Fields, your tree from Lowe’s or your gifts from Gap is your choice but — ultimately — immaterial. Because no matter what you
buy or where you buy it — it’s the spirit that is written on your heart that determines if your gift ultimately becomes a Christmas gift given in love. That is what is important, not whether “Christmas” is written on your gift’s label.

Please join us at 6 p.m. on Dec. 24 for our Family Nativity Vesperal Liturgy so that we may celebrate the truth of our ancient Faith together — as one family in Christ. We ask that you consider making an offering using the enclosed envelope — in order to do your part to ensure that Orthodoxy continues to remain a safe — and sane — haven amidst the world’s plethora of Christian denominations and religions.

May the Lord who took on our humanity for our salvation bless and sanctify us all.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!