The myth of Starbucks' "War on Christmas"

Starbucks is waging a war on Christmas? I think not.

Look, I don't hide my Christian faith. I wear it willingly and openly, as any Christian should. And as a Christian, I couldn't care less about the designs on Starbucks' cups.

Let's get a few things out in the open here.

1. Starbucks does not claim to be a "Christian company".
2. Starbucks has no obligation whatsoever to put any particular design -- or class of design -- on their cups, their signs, their walls, their aprons or anything else.
3. They removed things like snow flakes and reindeer, not nativity scenes and Bible verses. The only thing Starbucks may be waging war on is the secular concept of Christmas, at best, and winter at worst. Perhaps if you think they are being "seasonist", you may have a valid argument.

As Christians, we need to accept one undeniable truth: there are two Christmases today. There is the holiday on which we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and then there is the version of Christmas that is driven by Park Avenue's marketing and Wall Street's cash. Sure, it feels great to celebrate that version. I love giving gifts, and I love the decorations. But, if Starbucks decides to eliminate any hint of that version of Christmas from their cups, their menus or their entire stores, that is their prerogative. They never had anything representing the true meaning of Christmas on their cups to begin with.

The reality here is that this story is being perpetuated by the media. I'd go so far as to say it's being done to make Christians look petty. The sad reality is that it's working.

So, here's what I recommend to my fellow Christians: if you feel slighted by this mess, do the following:

1. Stop going to Starbucks and spending six bucks on something you can make at home, over and over, with a $25 stove-top espresso maker and your favorite coffee.
2. Take that six bucks, instead, and drop it in the offering plate on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
3. Sit in the pews, or the chairs, enjoy the timeless music and remember what the holiday is actually about.