Jeremiah 32:27 - Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
~ WE SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS ~
My wife and I went out for dinner as we typically do on Wednesday evenings. We didn't have time to get all dressed up, so we chose a Chinese Buffet because it's more of a "come as you are" atmosphere. We prayed before hitting the buffet as we usually do. We don't make a big show of it for everyone to see, neither do we throw holy water all over the place while chanting holy sounding scriptures. We just hold hands and give thanks to God.
I don't know about where you live, but around here the waiters and waitresses in the oriental restaurants are very polite and respectful. They wait until you get up and leave the table to go back to the buffet before picking up your plates or refilling your drink. You never get nailed by the waitress or waiter who has been lurking around the corner just waiting for that strategic opportunity when you have a mouth full of food, then run up and say: "SO, HOW IS EVERYTHING?"
Personally, that annoys me! And no matter how prepared I am or how much I scan the room before taking a bite, I get nailed "every time". While we were dining, at least 3 tables finished their meal and got up to leave. The waiter each time said: "Happy Holidays" to them as they were leaving. Each time, I thought to myself This political correctness that is designed so it won't offend people, offends the hell out of me! I had mentioned it to my wife also. (only nicer)
We finished our dinner, and as we were walking out, this very same waiter said to us: "Merry Christmas". I was taken by surprise and stopped suddenly as though someone stuck a knife in my back, turned around and smiled at him and said: "Thank you very much, Merry Christmas to you too!"
We thought about it after we got in our car. Why would this waiter say Happy Holidays to everyone else, then say Merry Christmas to us? My wife said: "Maybe he saw us praying!" I said: "I think you're right". I'll admit, it did warm my heart when he said that to me, but let me tell you the really cool thing about it.
Here's a waiter working in an environment where he was probably told to be politically correct or possibly lose his job. When he saw us acknowledging Christ by praying, it drew a response from him that also acknowledges Christ as the reason for this holiday.
I've noticed that in some of the more popular department stores, their employee's are not allowed to say the words "Merry Christmas", unless you say it to them first, then they can reply with the same. These are not good places for Christians to work, (or to shop at for that matter) because they are actually forcing their employee's to deny Christ. By doing so, they are putting that persons soul in jeopardy.
Matthew 10:33 - But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
If you Christmas shop at these places, (though I wouldn't recommend it) say Merry Christmas to the employee's there. By doing so, you may be giving them the opportunity to proclaim Christ by saying it back to you. It may seem like a little thing to some folks, but last year as we left Wal-Mart the cashier said Merry Christmas to us. That is where we will be doing allot of our Christmas shopping this year.
Better yet, Buy your big screen TV's and things where they proclaim Christ by saying Merry Christmas, then go buy your wrapping paper at the other places and say MERRY CHRISTMAS.
Dan Douglass
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