How Obama Saved Christmas
Why the “war on Christmas” is over and who is to blame/thank.
Dec 19th, 2009 | By Skye Jethani | Category: Culture, Faith, FeaturesMost agree that President Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize prematurely. He hasn’t yet made progress in ending the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. He has not convinced North Korea to repent of its human rights violations. He has not convinced Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. And, in a decision that has angered many on the Left, he has escalated the war in Afghanistan by ordering 30,000 additional troops.But there is one war Obama can take credit for ending-the war on Christmas.A recent article on Slate.com shows that the number of media reports about the so-called “War on Christmas” has declined significantly from recent years. The battle, if you are unfamiliar, is over retailers that use “Happy Holidays” in their marketing rather than “Merry Christmas.” Groups like Focus on the Family and the American Family Association are keeping their guns blazing this year, but most other Christmas combatants have laid down their arms.Consider the following stats reported by Nexis:
There were 431 articles mentioning [the war on Christmas] as of Dec. 17, 2006; 187 by that time in 2007; 155 in 2008; and 97 in 2009. Even Fox News, the network that pushed the story in the winter of 2005, has essentially stopped talking about it: At this time in 2005, Fox had aired 80 episodes explicitly referring to the “war on Christmas”; in 2006, there were 24; in 2007, 11; in 2008, five; and three so far this year.
There is little doubt that the fury over Christmas in recent years was fueled by Fox News, and particularly Fox host John Gibson who wrote The War on Christmas: How the Liberal Plot To Ban the Sacred Christian Holiday Is Worse Than You Thought. (In a twist of irony, when Fox began it’s crusade against “Happy Holidays” it was selling its own “Holiday Ornaments” on its “Holiday Collection” shopping webpage until bloggers pointed out the hypocrisy.)But in 2009 Fox has aired sparingly few “war on Christmas” stories. Why have they given up the fight and who is to thank?Barack Obama.It seems Fox News and other conservative voices have something more sacred than Christmas to protect this year-the health care system. President Obama’s plan to overhaul health care has sparked so much fear, dread, and emotion that little energy remains to fight the war for Christmas.So, as a Christian who has been embarrassed by the ungracious and downright venomous tone of some believers in recent Advent seasons who believe that Christmas, Jesus, and the Gospel need to be defended against the assault of liberal elites who are dismantling the cosmic victory of Christ one “Happy Holidays” at a time-thank you Mr. President for saving Christmas by giving them a larger target for their anger.
I’m laughing. Maybe I shouldn’t be — is my laughter inappropriate? Oh well…
I agree and I have to say, I’m on board with the Advent Conspiracy movement. The story of Christ is not the marketer’s to tell. It’s our story. We should tell it.
What a happy coincidence that Obama has distracted Fox News from this particular war.
Interesting insight, Skye. So does this mean that we can expect the “War on Christmas” to be back in full force at this time next year? Or will conservative Christians find something else wrong with Obama and his administration to direct their attention towards?
I wrote about the War a few weeks ago and demonstrated why it is actually unChristian for believers to be upset about retailers saying “Happy Holidays” - if you’re interested: http://bit.ly/8AY6cD
Yes, the Advent of New Messiah, the ruler of Nations, with healing in his wings with disciples seeking to pass a vote to give “America” “the best Christmas presents ever” from Congress, per Tom Harkin, then the enemy is far more real and far more subtle, then whether “happy holidays” is mentioned. Far from “saving Christmas”, the President & his minions are merely seeking to usurp it, replacing it in a Ceasar like fashion with their own “salvation” of the country. The whole American political system is a would be Messiah, but, like all pretend messiahs, the Lord scoffs at them and holds them in derision. He will speak to them in his wrath & terrify them in his fury…Unfortunately, it appears that Christians want a king to rule over them, one that can go before them, and make them feel like they have a place in the world, friendship with the world.
As an aside, hopefully all of the “justice” Christians are upset with the bribery going on in all of the voting, but I have a hunch the religious left won’t recognize that.
P.S. Ken, you are being generous with yourself to say you “demonstrated”.
As an aside, in reading Hillary’s comment, I am left wondering, what is the relationship between Christ & culture, which I suppose is what this discussion is all about. She says, “The story of Christ is not the marketer’s to tell. It’s our story.” What if a marketer is a Christian? What if the Gospel so permeates a culture that it is the cultures story? Is Merry Christmas alright in that context? What is the relationship of Christ’s Lordship over kings and princes - in a real and practical way.
As I read these “us” (anti-Merry Christmas Christians) vs “them” (pro-Merry Christmas Christians) posts, I am always aghast at the bickering Christians are willing put between brothers. The Anti-Merry Christmas crowd is rarely gracious to those with whom they disagree, despite all pretenses to being gracious. They are us vs them, despite acting like they aren’t thus vs them. And, I think the whole thing just changed marketing companies. We want to market ourselves as “this way” and not “that way”.
Very good. I attend church with mostly hard core Republi-Christians and they think Obama is very much the end of the world-book of revelations-forerunner to the AntiChrist so yea, the Happy Holidays furor is less but still very alive in Louisiana..but they are more obsessed and worried about Health Care and the perceived evil of Obama. It’s sad, very sad.