Chapter 3-Jesus in my Inbox

Every year about this time I get a "forward" in my Inbox concerning "Putting Christ back in Christmas" or "Jesus is the Reason for the Season." Now that I'm unemployed I actually have time to read all the "forwards" I get. This year the forward had to do with saying "Merry Christmas" not "Happy Holidays". Because I know so many unbelieving retail store clerks have been saved by some well-meaning Christian saying "Merry Christmas" and not "Happy Holidays".


Let me stop here and say that I love Jesus. He is my personal savior and I believe he died for my (and everyone else's) sins. I just want to remind all these "Merry Christmas" types that there is a thing called a "silent witness". You know,that pesky little idea that how we act speaks louder than than the things we say?


This has been on my mind since I visited San Diego in 2005. I remember thinking, "Wow, California is so progressive, I've got to remember to say 'Happy Holidays', not 'Merry Christmas'. I don't want to offend anyone." So I said "Happy Holidays" to everyone and got a "Merry Christmas" back from most. I took a Christmas Eve dinner cruise and needed a cab when it ended. I walked to the cab stand and a cab came almost immediately. The driver was a very nice fellow and he engaged me from the moment I got into the cab. He asked if I enjoyed the cruise, how was the food, how I liked San Diego...all the small talk topics that make a cab rides go faster. When he asked me how I liked San Diego I told him about how surprised I was that so many people said, "Merry Christmas" and not "Happy Holidays". We talked a little bit about how the coasts are different than the Midwest and how San Diego was particularly tolerant about the differences between people.


He asked me if I was a Christian and I told him yes. He said that he was Muslim, but he had many Christian friends. He asked if I celebrated Christmas and I told him I did. I was leaned up in my seat so I could hear him over the road noise. He said, very clearly, "I hope you have a very Merry Christmas." I actually teared up. I told him that was a very thoughtful thing to say, especially because it's not a holiday he celebrated. He said, "I don't celebrate it, but I want those who do to have a wonderful time." I told him I hoped that he had a wonderful holiday time and was able to spend time with his family and friends. As I paid him he thanked me for talking to him during the ride. I smiled and squeezed his hand.


I walked into my hotel and took the elevator up to my room. I changed out of my dress clothes and into my pjs. I got into bed and thought, "If I were a seeker, I'd want to be a part of that guy's religion." The cab driver wasn't obligated to wish me a Merry Christmas or a Happy Holiday or any type of parting remark at all. He spoke the Merry Christmas from his heart. Speaking from the heart, honestly and transparently is what makes a faith, any faith attractive.

That was 4 years ago. I have no idea what the cab driver's name was or even what he looked like. He could be standing right in front of me and I would never know. What I do remember is a Muslim man who taught me alot about Christianity. And about the Christian walk and about our silent witness. Shoving "Merry Christmas" in the face of anyone who will listen is not much of a silent witness. I want people to celebrate who they are. I want to know more about their lives and their faith. I want to wish people a Happy Holiday, whatever their holiday is, and mean it sincerely. I want people to feel the reason for the season without me wearing a button or saying a word.