Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?

This article originally ran as part of Faith Lutheran Church's The Mosaic Messenger a Newsletter for their college ministry.

So what are you going to do this Christmas when you are at Target and someone wishes you “Happy Holidays”? Are you going to be offended that they did not say “Merry Christmas”? Are you going to make sure you respond with “Merry Christmas”?

Though I have not given a whole lot of thought to the subject, here are a few of the thoughts that have occurred to me. See what you think.

The corporate action taken to prevent employees from saying “Merry Christmas” strikes me as just a bit odd. The retail industry needs Christmas to break even for the year and yet they want to avoid any mention of the word. I don’t know if any other holiday is picking up the tab nearly as well as Christmas has.

On the other hand, Christmas is not about telling other religions how wrong they are. It is rather a celebration of our Savior’s birth. Yes, Jesus is the only Savior for all mankind and yes, other religions are fallen, but what kind of loving approach starts with screaming “Merry Christmas” to drown out other religious sentiments.

If I got to Target (Wal-Mart has opted not to ban Merry Christmas, but I am still not going there for other reasons) and someone working there wants to wish me a Happy Holiday, a Happy Kwanza, or Joyous Chanukah (not sure the correct greeting of the last two), that is fine by me. I am not offended by someone not agreeing with me. Frankly I expect that they won’t. That is reality in the world today, people disagree. We just have the choice to avoid being disagreeable.

Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. But he is not an excuse to be unkind. I am afraid that both sides on this debate are missing the mark. What do you think?

Movie Night Thanks

Thanks to the Faith and the gang at University Lutheran Chapel at UCLA for hosting the Movie and Dinner night last night. We watched and eye opening documentary called Invisible Children. If you missed out you can check it out at invisiblechildren.com. There will not be a movie night in December (just the Christmas party), but we should have another movie night in January. I will post information on that as soon as we have a location and other details ready. If your group would like to host sometime contact DCEDave.

Summer Gathering

Plans are already getting underway for the second annual summer gathering. Keep checking back for up-dates. For now just block off July 21-23, 2006.

Christmas Party

Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia will host a District College Ministry Christmas Party on December 11 at 5:30 p.m. Drinks will be provided. For last names A-H bring a side dish, I-Q bring a main dish, and R-Z bring a dessert. Also bring a White Elephant Gift to exchange (just wrap something up that you find in your parents closet that they can't even explain what it is or why it is there). For additional information or as a group to let us know you are coming contact Gilbert Fugitt at 626-447-1150

Annual Ski Retreat at Mammoth

You and your Young Adults (ages 18-25) are invited to the 6th Annual Young Adult Ski Trip, January 5-8. The trip started with a small group of Christian College Students from two southern California Lutheran churches. The purpose was to get away from the business of life and enjoy God’s creation. Group rates have made it possible to provide this trip to more while still having the relaxing effect. On the reverse side you will find an outline of what the trip includes, and just as importantly what it doesn’t include. Here you will find a little more detailed information about those items. Early Registration is set at $210 per person, postmarked by December 5th. This allows you to talk with those students back for Thanksgiving break. After December 5th, Registration will be $250 per person. All Registrations must be Received by December 23rd (Recommended Post Mark date being the 20th) Registration includes 3 nights at a retreat lodge, 2-day ski lift ticket at Mammoth Mountain and 6 meals. The Lodge holds 34 people, has a kitchen, meeting room and a Jacuzzi. Mammoth Mountain is rated number 1 in California, with several beginner, medium and advanced courses. To keep costs low for food, we ask that every person sign up for cooking and cleaning detail once your group has arrived.
Rental equipment is not provided in the registration cost. You may be able to find the rentals
cheaper in your hometown and are welcome to do so. If you want to know what the cost of Rentals are at Mammoth, please check out their website. Please be sure to read the “what to bring” section on the reverse side. Also, due to mixture of age, there will be no alcohol at the cabin during the entire weekend.

GENERAL INFORMATION

REGISTRATION:
Young Adult Ministries
C/o Brandon Heath
7929 La Mesa Blvd
La Mesa, Ca 91941

Contact Information
Brandon Heath
619-462-5211 x129
bheath@christlamesa.org

JANUARY 5-8, 2006
• Registration Fees
- Early Registration (postmarked by December 5) $210
- Late Registration (postmarked after December 5) $250
- Full payment for each participant must be included in
Registration. Once registered, names can be changed but money is non-refundable.
• Your registration cost covers:
- 3 nights in Mt. Morrison Cabin at Convict Lake Resort.
Check it out at www.convictlake.com/cabins/morrison.htm
- 2 day ski lift ticket Mammoth Mountain. Check out their web at www.mammothmountain.com
- Snack for Thursday night, Friday breakfast/Dinner, Saturday, Breakfast/Dinner Sunday Breakfast.
• Your registration DOES NOT INCLUDE equipment and lessons. It is recommended to bring your own equipment or rent at Mammoth.
www.mammothmountain.com/ski_ride/rental_demo/rentals will give you prices for rentals and www.mammothmountain.com/ski_ride/lessons/lesson_types will give you costs for lessons.
• Other Responsibilities
- Lunch at the ski resort IS NOT PROVIDED. You are welcome to make sandwiches and leave them in one of the vehicles that travel to the resort or bring about $12 for lunch
- You are responsible for your own transportation to Mammoth and back.
- You may not want to ski/snowboard both days and you are welcome to enjoy the town
but you must leave the cabin during the day.

WHAT TO BRING
- Sleeping bag/pillow
- Bible
- Dress in layers (the weather is unpredictable)
- Shoes to walk in the snow
- Chap Stick
- Group Games
- Your favorite movie
- Ski/snow equipment including sunglasses, gloves, hat, coat, and snow pants.
- Each car should have chains or be 4-wheel drive. Each vehicle should be prepared for winter, including having water bottles and blankets for the drive.