On Nov. 5, 2015, social media public figure Joshua Feuerstein released a video that talks about how Starbucks left out Christmas on their holiday cups. I gave this guy the benefit of the doubt and watched the video to see his stance, and there was nothing in this video that I believe can be considered true and loving.
His opening statement was, “In the age of political correctness, we’ve become so open-minded that our brains have literally fallen out of our head.” Well, I’m not sure what this has to do with Starbucks, but I’m definitely hooked on what else I will hear.
“Do you realize that Starbucks wanted to take Christ and Christmas off of their brand new cups, that’s why they’re just plain red?” Mr. Feuerstein, I didn’t realize that Starbucks was a Christian organization. That’s a grand accusation, so I wonder if your facts add up. Let’s throw it back, to see when Starbucks started this supposed removal of Christ from their cups.
2015: Plain Red
2014: A pine tree
2013: Ornaments
2012: A snowman who winked at you
2011: A snowman singing (Christmas?) carols
2010: Carolers without faces
2009: Ornaments with what seems to be holiday buzzwords written on them
2008: Deer, snowflakes and the logo as an ornament
Must I say more? The cup has never had “Merry Christmas” on it.
Whatever. I’ll move on.
He went to Starbucks, and when the barista asked for his name, he told them his name was Merry Christmas. Whether or not the employees are “allowed” to say it or not, does it really show the spirit of the season to be so arrogant about your religious choice?
“I’m challenging all great Americans and Christians around this great nation, go into Starbucks and take your own coffee selfie, and then I challenge you to not only share this video so that the word gets out, but let’s start a movement and let’s call it, I don’t know, #MerryChristmasStarbucks.”
So, at this point, I don’t know if he’s serious, or if he’s just really really good at satire, but telling people to continue being a consumer of a product of a company is not a boycott. If you really wanted to express frustration with this decision, you just wouldn’t go. Also, what do you care more for? The spread of your Facebook page and your name being known, or the people coming to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior?
Mr. Feuerstein, you’re upset; we get it. The thing is that your words do not reflect the majority of Christians' feelings, but because of your notoriety, you’re kinda making it really hard for Christians to be taken seriously. Starbucks has never been a Christian organization. The cups have never been Christmas cups. The designs on the holiday cups have basically been symbolism of the Western celebration of the holiday season that is based in pagan celebrations in the first place. Christmas is not what American culture has turned it into. Christmas is not decorations, Santa Claus, a break from school or work, or even designs on a cup. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of our Savior, who loved us all so much as to die for us. Because of this love we have received, we can love everyone else. We should love everyone else.
Call it being politically correct, too open-minded or too liberal, but I’m going to love my neighbor. I’m going to love the person who called me names in high school. I’m going to love the friend who thinks my faith is stupid. I’m going to love the Starbucks worker who hands me my drink. I’m going to love the Christian that makes it difficult for me to also be a Christian. At the end of it all, Mr. Feuerstein, neither you nor I am the judge.
I challenge anyone who reads this to not say hurtful things about Mr. Feuerstein nor about Starbucks. Really, forget him, forget the "controversy," forget reading this article, and just go love someone today. Go show Jesus to someone. Love at all costs.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” -- 1 John 4:7 NIV
