I always said thank you. I never have time nor the desire to "explain myself".
Even working as a cashier, I don't worry giving anyone the "season's greetings". I see that December 25 is more about New York Wallets than Bethlehem Babies.
Holiday Meeting Comments
by Why Georgia 16 Replies latest jw friends
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Es
oh yeah gotta love those talks....i hated being round my dad when ever any wished him merry christmas...it was so embarrasing having to listen to his reponse
es
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willyloman
This was a pet peeve of a CO we had years ago. When he visited the congo around Christmas, he brought this up at every FS meeting. "When people ask, how are you, do you give them a lengthy reply?" he asked. "No. It's merely a greeting. You say, fine, thank you. Merry Christmas is just a greeting. They are wishing you well. 'Thank you' is the appropriate response."
Frankly, we were relieved. A previous CO had suggested holiday greetings provided a wonderful opportunity to give a witness! I never did. I found most people knew we didn't celebrate Christmas; if they wanted to know why, they'd ask (although few ever did).
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luna2
We must have had a talk or two about this because I can remember feeling compelled to tell people that I didn't celebrate and then, if they asked (which they usually did), why. UGH!!! I finally got tired of spoiling the festive spirit and tromping all over people's well-wishes, (as well as sounding like a dopey cult member), so I stopped doing that about ten years ago and just said "thank you".
Ah, I'm at work here in my office and I just heard commotion up at the register...it's a dub from my old KH. Such a loud mouth! I wonder if he just fielded a "Happy Thanksgiving" from a fellow customer. Usually, even though he's a goof, he isn't too rabid about the minor holidays, and I doubt he'd bother to explain his dubby views. For all I know he probably "celebrates". His non-party line stance on being sociable with his neighbors has not always gone over well at the KH. Took forever for the poor guy to make MS.
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misspeaches
We were always encourage to just say 'thank you' when someone greeted us with a pagan greeting.
But this year I am going to be wishing a merry Christmas to anyone that will listen!!!
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blondie
*** km 12/90 p. 8 Presenting the Good News—On Holidays ***
We do not share in worldly religious celebrations, and we do not exchange traditional holiday greetings. Therefore, tact is needed in how we react to such greetings. There is no need to make an issue of the greeting, but in most cases we can simply thank the householder for his good wishes.
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km 12/86 p. 8 Presenting the Good News—During the Holidays ***If people wish us a happy holiday, there is no need to make an issue over their holiday greetings. Rather, we can briefly thank them for their kindness and time in listening to us
Reminds me of when one CO said to leave our Bible in our bag and put the magazines in the hands of the householder.
The next CO made a point of saying that the magazines stayed in the bag and to have your Bible in hand open to a scripture.
DuH!
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delilah
I always would say "Thankyou, you too". I never used it as an opportunity to "preach" at them. I know some witlesses, though, who get right bent out of shape when they are wished a happy holiday. One couple won a free turkey one year ( if you bought something at a certain store, you were automatically entered into a draw) and they refused to pick it up, as they did not celebrate the holiday ....Dumb a$$es that they were...it was a silly free turkey for gawd's sake...pick it up, cook it and EAT the damn thing already!!! SHEESH!