Saturday, December 11, 2010

Charlotte and Ginger host these awesome Spiritual Sunday.To join in post and add your name.

Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the year - and  when it speaks, its voice has strong authority. - W.J. Cameron

Countedown to Christmas....two weeks left and already I can  feel something magical in the air. 

I was at Costco the other day...the cashier smiled and said...I'm not allowed to say this, but oh heck...I want to...Merry Christmas.  Her face shone. Her smile stretched across her face. She needed to say those words...to express the joy bubbling inside her. And I loved hearing them. But as I left...I thought of what she had said first...I'm not allowed to say..

I couldn't stop thinking about that.  Why was she told not to say Merry Christmas? Why couldn't she express her heart....her joy? Why wasn't she allowed to express the truth of the holiday? He is the reason we celebrate Christmas. He's what this holiday is all about. Without Him...there is no Christmas. God's gift...that gives hope...freedom...peace. Why was she told not to say the words? 

Maybe it's where I come from....of what happened to me....and how He alone made a difference....reaching so far down to pull me up....but as Christmas is getting closer..I feel like that cashier....I want to shout Merry Christmas to everyone. 
 
And so this is Christmas for weak and for strong...the rich and the poor ones....

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Joining you in shouting Merry Christmas to everyone! Without Jesus there would be no Christmas.

Anonymous said...

They could not stop Christmas when they crucified Him and they can't stop it now.....

His Spirit lives in and through us.

Loved the song. :)

Blessings,
Tammy

Anonymous said...

Good for that salesclerk. I'm not afraid to say MERRY CHRISTMAS either. We need to shout it out... after all, Jesus is the reason for the season. Everyone needs to know of His saving grace and deep, deep love for them. Bless you, Sarah.

MTJ said...

Hi Sarah,

I've never heard this song before. It's a beautiful one and the singer has such a wonderful voice. Thank you for sharing it.

For me there is a joy and excitement. I cannot explain it but since the days leading up to Thanksgiving, I've recognized a joy and appreciation for living. I agree, Christ is the focal point of why we celebrate Christmas in America. Perhaps that cashier was instructed to say nothing by a manager or perhaps it is a store or corporate policy. It's unfortunate that some have the mistaken notion that what they accomplish is by their own ability; it is an invalid assumption.

In any case, I will not hide my joy. It is the joy in knowing Christ.

Blessings and peace.

MTJ

Karen said...

Merry Christmas!!! How would I know God, if not for His precious Son?

Wanda's Wings said...

I know at the company I once wotked at we were not to say Merry Christmas either. It was "happy holidays." I'm proud of the clerk. I'm glad Christ is part of my Christmas, because without Him there would be no reason for the season.

Susy said...

To think there is a policy prohibiting employees from saying Merry Christmas. Wow. Well - we aren't restricted from saying it to them (: MERRY CHRISTMAS !! xo

Charlotte said...

I so agree with you. It is so sad that many store clerks are told not to say Merry Christmas. I love that this one said it to you. Merry Christmas to YOU. I would like to say it to everyone in the world. I know there would be a lot of frowns though. Oh well - Merry Christmas world. (I don't think they heard me.)
Blessings,
Charlotte

Charlotte said...

Forgot to say I love the video. I have loved this song since I first heard it a few years ago.

Musings of A Minister said...

Great post. I love your encouraging words about Christmas. We have this recording of Celine's. She is one of our favorites. Thanks for posting.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

I too feel like shouting, Merry Christmas! My hubby told me just this afternoon that he went into four different stores and wished the cashier a Merry Christmas and each one just looked at him or mumbled something which had nothing to do with the Holiday. Sad, isn't it? Thank you for posting and as long as I breathe, my wish will be for everyone to have a Merry CHRISTmas!

Christmas blessings,
Sandi

Just Be Real said...

When I am greeted with a Happy Holidays, I always reply back Merry Christmas. Most of the time I will then get a very low Merry Christmas reply back. So you know the sales help was specifically told not to say Merry Christmas!

Saleslady371 said...

Same thing with the banks. The clerk leaned over and wished me a "Merry Christmas" and meant it with all his heart! Love Celine's carols.

Cindy Adkins said...

Yay for the salesclerk!!! I wish I was close by--I'd bring her a Christmas gift!!! I wonder what this country is coming to that we can't say it anymore...Well, here I am on a blog--hopefully lots of people will see it--Merry, Merry Christmas, Sarah!!! From your politically incorrect friend Cindy...lol
Big (((hugs))),
Cindy

RCUBEs said...

What a liberating feeling it must be for her to be able to express her joy! And Amen! He is the reason for this season! Blessings to you sister.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Yes, we can't call them CHRISTMAS trees, but that's what they are!! Happy holidays instead of Merry Christmas. But Christmas does have the word Christ in it! We are supposed to have freedom of religion, so why are Christians getting stifled at this time of year? They may be trying to turn it all into a generic, consumer heavy holiday without the heart!!

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

Love that song! How sad that employees can't even say what has been our tradition for generations. It's ridiculous really. But that's what the world has come to. Makes me want to shout it even louder! Merry CHRISTmas!

Cathy said...

I'm going to say "Merry Christmas" too! I'm not sure they told them they could not say it. I used to work at Wal-Mart. Thanks for sharing that lovely song.

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

Hello Sarah, Isn't it sad that the cashier is suppose to be silent. I believe you think so, to tell us..
Celine has such a pure voice..she makes the song very special. Much love Crystal

Anonymous said...

Aww! I want to plant a big bear hug onto this cashier! Merry Christmas!!! (I'm screaming aloud now! Nutty me! :))

Unknown said...

We'll just have to make sure we all say Merry Christmas to all of them! Lots. :) :) :) Christmas blessings to y'all! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Anonymous said...

Good for the cashier! I love that she could not contain her joy!

Anita Johnson said...

And I am shouting Merry Christmas to you too!

Nana Jul said...

I love the way it JUMPS out...with Excitement, and expectation!! As it Should!
Beautiful song!
Love
Julie

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Beautiful song

Joan Hall said...

Hooray for the cashier! It is all about Jesus.

Merry Christmas :)

Lisa notes... said...

What a blessing that the salesclerk said what was on her heart anyway. May we all do that more often!

Dee said...

I find myself this year saying Merry Christmas a little louder than i usually do and with an added wave of my hand. I give a big thumbs up to the cashier...my best friend is a cashier and i bet she does not hesitate one bit saying Merry Christmas.

Charlotte said...

The enemy of our souls would like to take the name of Jesus out of everything. Wouldn't it be great, instead of leaving out His name, if we said it twice as often, twice as loud, with twice as big a smile on our faces, and twice as much of His joy in our hearts! If we added to it some of His titles, like the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Prince of Peace...
His is above all names. We should say it often, whether we have permission or not,
And wish everyone we can - a Merry Chirstmas!

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

Working in the public it's truly sad how many people will tell me Happy Holidays,I reply Merry Christmas.Thank-you for sharing this beautiful song.
God Bless,
Ginger

Amrita said...

God bless you Sarah for your beautiful post

Dena E's Blog said...

Yes this was a wonderful way to remind us to speak up and say Christmas when we are in public too. ~~~You are Sweet for stopping by my blog...It warms my heart..
Soooo happy to be celebrating in Christ's BIRTHDAY with Sweet Sisters like you...That is Reason enough to be CELEBRATING huh!!!~~~Hugs Sweetie~~~Dena

INSIDE THE SHRINK said...

I will always say Merry Christmas. I'm not supposed to bring up Christian beliefs while I'm doing therapy with my patients. But the Lord always brings the conversation around to where the patient brings it up and 90% of the time I'm in session with someone, we talk about God and His salvation plan and His love. God is good. Thank you for visiting and commenting on my Daily Grace blog, God bless, Bobbi