The #redcup controversy. As a Christian, I find it makes us look ridiculous. I know what will happen next year when Starbucks decides the design will have snowflakes or something again. It will be called a success by those who were the most vocal. They will say that Starbucks buckled under pressure and changed their minds.
All along, the only reason for the plain red cup (or the plain packages in different colors that the pounds of coffee come in) was that they just decided to go with a minimalist design this year. By the way, any person that goes to Starbucks regularly knows that the sleeve that wraps every stinking #redcup has snowflakes on it. There is no need to have a campaign to tell baristas to write ‘Merry Christmas’ on the cups to force them to have to say it, when they were never told they could not. Oh, and tomorrow when the Christmas display comes out, you can still purchase the advent calendar and a snowman cup, just like always.
Do I believe that there are people out there who are doing everything to bring down Christianity? Yes. One needs to only watch the news of what is happening in the world. But that and this are two completely different things. Completely.
Please, let’s stop being offended at every little thing. I am so tired of seeing posts about how offended people are by a red cup. How offended people are by stores being open on Thanksgiving. How offended they are by Christmas music being played already. How offended they are by Christmas displays being up too early. Every year, the same people post the same things they are offended by. The #redcup just got added to the list. Can’t we all just say ‘Enough already. We get it.’?
I think we have more substantial things to think about, like what is written on someone’s heart and how we can be of service to others. Is it possible to stop being offended at everything and start paying forward the blessings that have been given to you?
Tomorrow, I am going to Starbucks with my kiddos and I will have my Caramel Macchiato in a bright, cheery, and festive #redcup. We will sit and enjoy the Christmas music and decorations and surprise someone by paying for their coffee. Maybe it will be the one thing that changes that person’s day. Maybe, just maybe, that person who stopped believing will believe again.
It’s not about a #redcup and what is on it or not on it. It is all about what the character Linus said…
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts,
praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
