Two hundred thousand people have died in the Syrian conflict and people are disturbed by the Starbucks seasonal coffee cup. Over six hundred thousand people in America are homeless but Christians are being attacked by the lack of snowmen on their Peppermint Mochas. Over seven hundred thousand people in Ethiopia are at risk for dying from starvation but “GASP” we should say that our name is “Merry Christmas” when we order our coffee so we can bring back the true meaning of Christmas!
Call me crazy but maybe you should pass up on your five dollar coffee this winter and buy a homeless person a hot meal. Take that horribly offensive red cup and hand a hot cup of coffee to that man shivering under his woolen gray blanket. You can even use a Sharpie and decorate it if you want! Hey I know! I have a FREE idea! Maybe you can start with that Man in the Mirror!
There’s a new version of the Christian martyr this year. Persecution is alive and well in wealthy counties everywhere! Starbucks is attacking Christmas by creating a red coffee cup that is missing snowflakes and pine cones. “OK what about the doves and Christmas ornaments that used to appear one year?” Yes…I distinctly remember Jesus putting up his Christmas tree and hanging Costco ornaments while his doves sat in their golden cages. Didn’t see that passage in the bible? Neither did I.
Scholars and church leaders will tell you that Jesus was not born on December 25th. No one really knows when he was born. What we do know is that the church decided to celebrate the birth of Christ in order to overshadow the pagan’s holiday of winter solstice. However none of this is important. What is important (if you are Christian) is to live as Christ would have wanted you to live. Here’s what Jesus would have said about the Starbucks coffee cup and Christians exclaiming their horror at this persecution:
“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Sound familiar? How about these words from Jesus?
“for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”
Tell me because I am really curious….which one represents your Christmas spirit?
This country was founded on religious tolerance and freedom from persecution. This does not mean that any “one’ religion or belief system has the exclusive commercial market in the United States of America. If you really believe in religious tolerance let me ask you something; are you OK with the Star of David being imprinted on Starbucks coffee cups during Hanukkah? How about the Islamic symbol for Allah during Eid on your ice cold Frappucino? Doesn’t sound like your cup of chai tea? There are plenty of intolerant cultures and countries around the world and they are only one trans Atlantic flight away. No company owes you a shout out on your religious beliefs or lack thereof.
Enjoy your Starbucks red cup of coffee and focus on something else. Make sure you tip the barista.
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