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Christmas is a wonderful time to share our love for each other ... and for Jesus - the reason for this season. When so many people have stopped using the word "Christmas" for fear of offending, I think it's time for those of us who believe in Jesus as being the reason for the season to boldly proclaim his name. We celebrate CHRISTmas. We are CHRISTians.

For those of you who do not celebrate Christmas I make no apologies. I love Christmas. Yes, it has become too commercialized and I'd like to recapture the excitement and expectation of the days when Christmas was a time for remembering the child in the stable who came to be the Savior for all. You really don't need to go to Walmart and spend hundreds of dollars on junk that will be next year's trash. Celebrate Jesus. He came; he gave his life; he arose from the dead; he is alive forevermore.

Some Christians believe that we shouldn't celebrate Christmas at all because it has become so pagan and so commercialized. They argue the Bible tells us to celebrate Christ's death and resurrection but does not tell us to celebrate Christmas. That's true. However, the Bible doesn't tell us NOT to celebrate the birth of our Savior into this world, either. Truth is, we wouldn't have this opportunity to celebrate his death and resurrection if he hadn't been born -- so why not celebrate his coming? Say Merry Christmas to everyone! Don't let political correctness steal our holiday. I don't even shop in stores that do not recognize Christmas. It started a few years ago ...

One Christmas season my daughter and I were shopping in a store that (we discovered) wouldn't allow their employees to say Merry Christmas. They had "happy holidays" signs all over the store and were raking in the money because of Christmas but wouldn't allow their clerks to greet us with the words, "Merry Christmas".

We said "Merry Christmas" to the clerk who was checking us out and she responded, "happy holidays to you, too." My daughter said, "Uhhhh ... can't you say "Merry Christmas?" The clerk replied, "No, they told us not to because some people are offended." We left our shopping cart at the checkout counter and did not purchase the items. Apparently a lot of people did the same thing because that store started allowing the employees to say Merry Christmas.

That probably doesn't mean much in the big scheme of things - but it's just wrong for Christians to fund businesses that are anti-Christian. So, I've decided to take a stand.

When I go into a store I say, "Merry Christmas," and wait until I get a response from the person I am speaking to before I will purchase anything in that store.

My husband and I went into a store the other day and I said my cheerful, "Merry Christmas!" and the girl said, "Same to you." I stopped and waited. She stood there, looking confused so I said it again, "Merry Christmas! -- please say it back to me." She said, "Oh! Merry Christmas to you, too." I said "thank you," and shopped in their store. My husband told me he was proud of me for taking a stand. It felt right.

Will you take a stand?

We are CHRISTIANS! We are the only group in the world where it IS politically correct and perfectly acceptable to be put down, ridiculed and persecuted for believing in Christ as the savior of the world. We need to stand up and be counted. I am honored to be called a Christian -- how about you?

This is my soap box this year. Will you get on it with me?

I have decided NOT to purchase anything from any merchant who will not recognize allow their employees to say the word, Christmas. "Happy Holidays" just doesn't do it. I will maintain my position - not just this season - but forever, if necessary. And, I will let them know by sending them an email.

If you will join me, here's a list of stores that recognizes Christmas and list of stores who do NOT.

http://www.afa.net/christmaslist.asp

Merry Christmas, friends. I hope you have a blessed season of love, joy and peace.