What's written on your cup?

 It's pretty disheartening to hear so much of the response to the Starbucks red cup issue. Please tell me that this is not what the American church is focusing on. Please tell me that this is not what American Christianity has come to: a fight for "rights" to have our vernacular printed where we think it ought to be. 

Are we expecting people who aren't Christians to act like they are Christians? To talk like they are Christians? To put Christian language on their merchandise? 

Is that the goal?

When was the last time that “in-your-face” tactics got people on the same page?  They only polarize people more. 

We live in such an incredible place of freedom. Such a place of blessing.

We live in a place where we can get into a car, drive a few blocks to the nearest coffee shop, and painlessly drop a few dollars on a cup of coffee. An awesome cup of coffee, I might add.

We live in a place where we get the incredible privilege to worship God freely--in brick and mortar buildings, in groups of people, out loud, without having to hide, with no threat to our lives.

I don't understand why what Starbucks prints or doesn't print on their cups has anything to do with how Christians can celebrate Christmas. 

We, as Christ-followers, should be more concerned with how we're representing Christ at Christmastime. 

Jesus didn't consider His equality with God as something to be grasped or to be used to His advantage. With extravagant love as His motivation, He humbled Himself and became a man (Philippians 2). Jesus Christ--God--became a man. He became a servant. And then He suffered and died. For us. And then, He rose to life again--conquering death. So that you and I could live. 

That's what Christmas is all about. Christ's humility. Christ's love.

His agenda is love. His agenda is mercy. His agenda is grace. 

He's always humble. And He's always kind. 

Psalm 16 describes God as our portion and our cup. He's enough to fill us. And He fills us with joy. 

Do we believe that Jesus is enough for us? 

Or do we have to try to find affirmation for who we are on somebody else's cup?

If we think that Christmas is worth celebrating because of who Jesus is, then let's put Christ into our own Christmases by following His example. 

In humility, let's consider others better than ourselves. In love, let's have compassion for the people around us.  Let's represent Christ at Christmas (and all the time) by living like Christ at Christmas (and all the time).