It seems as though that the joyous “Merry Christmas” greeting is beating out the politically correct and generic “Happy Holidays” slogan this year. In recent years public pressure has been applied to stores that refused to acknowledge that the holiday season was about Christmas.

Like many of you, I decided to boycott stores that ignore or disparage Christmas, and boldly wished store clerks a very “Merry Christmas!” with a big smile. Taking a stand on this issue at this time of the year really isn’t that difficult.

As we focus in our hearts, homes and churches on Savior’s birth and the wonderful story of God’s amazing love this Christmas, let’s not forget to spread the Good News beyond our Christian circles to the public square. The campaign to keep Christmas in the public square is not merely a political statement; it is a valiant effort to protect our right to proclaim Christ and the story of the Gospel to a world that is quite literally dying to hear the Good News.

We cannot keep such a life-changing message to ourselves, nor are we supposed to. Remember when Peter and John were brought before the Jewish leadership and commanded to recant their faith in Jesus Christ and stop preaching in the name of Jesus? But Peter and John boldly responded, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” (Act 4:19, 20)

Those who hate the name of Christ are trying to suppress Christmas in the name of “tolerance.” But don’t be fooled by it. This has been happening since the beginning of Christianity. That’s why it is so important that we proclaim Christ and the Incarnation this Christmas, and not be cowed by those who would try to banish Christmas from the public square.