Last week, my family and I were fortunate enough (w/ a little help from loved ones) to take our kids to Disneyland. It was all of our kids’ first time, with the exception of Kaelyn (who was two the last time she went, so she didn’t remember). They had all been to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom while we lived in Florida. However, Disneyland is different. It’s bigger, it’s the original…there’s something special about it. ESPECIALLY at Christmas. Disney at Christmas is magical.  Disney becomes the epitome of anti-green with the amount energy consumed. Of all the places at Disney, “It’s a Small World” is most fantastic at Christmas. Never have you seen so many lights in one place. We happened to be in line waiting for the ride when it was first turned on for the evening. It was quite an event.

But at the same time, another event was happening. It was happening where most annoying events happen….in my head. While we were standing in line, where it seemed most of Santa’s naughty list converged, a curious thing happened. Up until now, I had been immune to what I was seeing everywhere all day. I had somehow missed it. Until that very moment, it had not dawned on me the significance of what I was seeing. Something that was happening everywhere…all over the world. There in front of me, were the words “Merry Christmas”. Disney, and its patrons, were celebrating Christmas. CHRISTmas.

I know this seems elementary to you. But please, indulge me and pause to think about the significance of this. The New Testament tells us that Jesus and His Gospel will be rejected by the culture. That people will be pulled toward a different gospel. I think it’s safe to say we’ve seen this actualized. Well, let me correct that, it’s true of the culture HERE in California. The landscape regularly pushes for separation of Church and State; schools are rueful of the words “one nation under God…”; and religion is a sign of gullibility to the educated.  Jesus is known by many for the picket signs warning of His punishment to the “sinner”.

But not today. Not right now. Not during this season.

Despite our most irrational fears of  ”Christ” being taken out of Christmas or the phrase “Xmas”…a majority of the planet still celebrates…well….Christmas.  It’s astounding to me. The reason my “New Age” neighbors put lights on their house:  Jesus. The reason employers give the 25th of December as a holiday:  Jesus. The reason you’re wandering through the women’s department at Macy’s for your wife: Jesus. The reason iTunes grosses its highest revenues in December: Jesus. The reason Starbucks has a peppermint mocha: Jesus (and thank you Jesus, indeed).

Oh, I know what you’re thinking. It may not be directly because of Jesus. But admit it or not, indirectly they all find their roots in celebrating the incarnation of God in a manger in Bethlehem. Without the nativity, there is no Christmas seaon. There is no “X” to replace “Christ” with. There is no Black Friday. People everywhere are singing “worship” songs (Oh, come all ye faithful), evangelizing (“Merry Christmas!”) and advancing the story of the Messiah to new generations.  Many without even knowing it.

Right now is a rare window when the word “Christ” isn’t so offensive.  And my question to you is this:  What are you doing about it? You who choose to follow Him the other seasons of the year. How are you taking advantage of this missional grace period? By sipping egg nog? Going into debt? A gift from Target? Perhaps this year as you take note of His season, you take advantage of the loop hole created by it. Live missionally.  Live invitationally. Don’t be afraid of the words “Merry Christmas”.  Most will not be offended.

Strange isn’t it? Because any other time of year the we would never utter an expression like this with such confidence. What do I mean? Well, the word “Chist” comes from Jesus. The word “mas” comes from mass. Meaning celebration. So when the starbucks girl wishes you a Merry Christmas, yes perhaps unintentionally, she is in actuality saying “Have a merry celebration of Jesus Christ”. That, my friends, is a meaning you just can’t change no matter hard you try. Not with an “X”. Not with “Happy Holidays” (which is hilarious because it means “Holy Day”). No matter how hard you try to tell someone that birthday cake has no meaning, you’re still at the party…with a gift in your hand…singing the song…eating the cake.

Merry Christmas, indeed.