Irony

Well, as much as I'd like to write a sweet and sentimental Christmas piece this week, that is simply not to be. This Christmas season has seen such great intensification of a certain cultural phenomenon that I find myself unable to refrain from comment. Apparently, the "happy holidays" people are a threat. A real threat. Boo!

First, let me say that the seeming absence of any collective sense of irony in our culture gives me great cause for worry and concern.

Are you all riled (or should I say O'Reilly-ed) up this year because those liberal media-types have continued in their plot to take the "Christ" out of "Christmas?" Like any good Christian, are you boycotting evil retailers who dare to say, "Happy Holidays," instead of "Merry Christmas?"

Have we lost our collective sense of irony? (By the way, the above paragraph really doesn't represent an example of irony nearly so much as sarcasm).

Fox News Channel pundit and self-proclaimed savior of Christmas, Bill O'Reilly, says that his viewers' boycots of Sears, Target and other "Happy Holidays" stores (they don't say "Merry Christmas" to shoppers) have been important and successful because, "this is about respect."

In literature, "irony" occurs when a character says or does one thing but intends the opposite. It is a deliberate gap between the language used and that which is being discussed.

For instance, "this is about respect," might really mean, "everyone must do it my way or they are terrible people who obviously don't respect me and all those who agree with me." Or something like that. See? ...Irony.

It's ironic that the people who get most angry whenever minorities or women find any offense should get so hot under the collar about a simple seasonal greeting. Which reminds me, "it's all about respect" can also mean, "I can get mad anytime I want to but you can't."

It's also ironic to claim that your call to action has restored the "Christ" in Christmas when what it's really done (as have all those who've supported it) is to reinforce the cultural tie between the celebration of Jesus' birth and excessive consumption and materialism.

It's ironic that much of Bill O'Reilly's success, and that of his "Say-Merry-Christmas-or Else" movement has been rightly or wrongly attributed to Christians. Non-believers must think we Christians look pretty foolish lining up behind an angry tv personality who rants for ratings. In the meantime, they're left to their own conclusions as to who Jesus might be and why he might matter.

How can I possibly care whether the cashier at Target tells me "Merry Christmas," or "Happy Holidays" when I should be so much more concerned about whether that person has Jesus in his or her heart? Would it be ok for me to acknowledge that not everyone in the world is a follower of Christ and that a forced act of cultural obedience is not the same as faith?

What if Christians were less easily moved to boycott and more easily moved to serve? What if we lived in this world in such a way that the culture really was transformed? What if greed could be turned into generosity and sin gave way to redemption?

I know, I know, what if it rained gumdrops and little fairy princesses flew out of my nose? It's so much easier to be cynical than faithful, to be righteously indignant than soft-hearted and humble. Believe me, I know.

My fear is that we've lost our sense of irony, and that now we're particularly vulnerable to the lure of hollow "victories" that make the culture look a little more Christian while keeping Jesus' disciples cooped up in false safe-houses of our make-believe power.

Here's what I know about Christmas: The all-powerful God loved us so much that he was born among us, becoming dependent upon his frightened, impoverished parents. He was laid in a manger, surrounded by a barnyard scene and must have been viewed as insignificant by almost all who passed by. That baby grew up, and the Creator-of-it-all spent long days working at a humble carpenter's bench. His love was never made more real than when he hung upon a criminal's cross, broken and bleeding. My sins, yours, and the world's, have been redeemed.

That's the message we carry. That's God's kind of irony. That's not for sale this Christmas, but it's the greatest gift that there will ever be. Now that's something to get riled up about.

Grace and Peace,
Adam

CHRISTMAS LIFE AT SOTH:

December 18, 2005
Regular Sunday schedule, with services at 8:30 and 10:00 a.m.

December 21, 2005
"The Longest Night," a Service of Christmas Hope
Our upcoming service of hope for all who mourn or struggle during the holidays was covered in today's Douglas Neighbor. Psalms, readings, a short sermon and special music will impart a message of hope in "God With Us." All are welcome to worship, and to a time of fellowship following.

December 24, 2005
Christmas Eve worship with communion at both services, 5:30 and 7:00 pm.

December 25, 2005
Sunday morning worship at 10:00 a.m. only, although it will be a special "community brunch" service with lots of food and fellowship, along with music and a short devotional. Everyone is invited, and please bring visiting friends and family.

Merry Christmas from Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church!