It's a Red Cup; Just a Red Cup

In Philippians 1, we see where there were people who were emboldened to speak the Word as they beheld God's faithfulness in the midst of Paul's trial.  And, in troubled times, we can likewise be motivated to speak truth.  He writes:

14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will:
16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;
17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

There are sobering opportunities in which the truth of the gospel is needed in a clear and compelling manner.  The problems that we face as a nation, in our culture today, are overwhelming, and we need the wisdom of God.  We have been entrusted with the message of hope and given a set of principles, which, if we adhere to them, can be helpful in addressing  issues - whether it's economics, race relations, poverty, marriage, or life - God's Word provides effective solutions.

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In 2nd Timothy 4, we are reminded of our responsibility to speak truth to a culture that may not
receive it or live it out:
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Uh-oh...here comes my favorite phrase again - you know, you hear it quite a bit this time of year, and it certainly doesn't send the message of keeping the season merry and bright.

Yes, it's that "War on Christmas."  I do not like the term, but it does describe a certain stance of the holiday celebrating our Savior's birth.  I would define this "War" as the removal of Christian symbols, expressions, or words during this season - we see it appear when choirs are no longer allowed to sing "religious" Christmas songs in school plays.  We can also recognize it when retailers do not use "Merry Christmas" in their advertising or deny their employees the chance to say "Merry Christmas."

So, the latest skirmish in this "War on Christmas" - the dreaded Red Cup of Starbucks.  You've heard it by now - Starbucks rolls out a special holiday cup during the season.  In years past, there have been various symbols that have been used to denote the season.  This year's cup is a plain red one, and that has some people up in arms.

The Gospel Herald reports that the debate escalated when Christian evangelist Joshua Feuerstein slammed the red cups in a Facebook video on November 5, sparking the viral hashtag #MerryChristmasStarbucks.

In the video Feuerstein says, "I think in the age of political correctness we've become so open minded our brains have literally fallen out of our head," adding, "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."

The evangelist said that he recently went into Starbucks, ordered a drink and told the barista that his name was "Merry Christmas" - forcing the barista to say the words aloud and pen the phrase on his cup.

But this another front in the so-called "War on Christmas"?  Ed Stetzer of LifeWay Research and Breakpoint This Week, writes at Christianity Today:

The thing is, Starbucks never had anything about the Christian Christmas on their cups. Sure, they had trees and snowmen, but nothing about Jesus. And more, Starbucks employees repeatedly deny being banned from being able to say, "Merry Christmas."

He also points out that Starbucks has other Christmas-themed products.  And, he calls on Christians to "calm down."  Stetzer writes:

Here's what I would say—this is the wrong fight and being done in the wrong way. And, it's just making Christians look silly, like so many of these fake controversies do.

We have a better story to tell than one of faux outrage. So let's tell it. It's not the job of your barista to share the gospel. It's your job to share the gospel.

Don't get mad about stuff that doesn't matter.

It wastes time and energy and hardens people to what you have to say about the stuff that does matter. And, there are real concerns about our culture today, but my biggest concern about Starbucks products is their affection for all things Pumpkin Spice, not that their new red cup does not have snowmen on it any longer.

Candace Cameron Bure, who brings a Christian voice to The View, wrote on Instagram:

It's a red cup, folks.

Until Starbucks puts a baby Jesus or nativity scene on the cup while saying Merry Christmas, then pulls it because they say it’s offensive, let’s talk. I don't remember Starbucks ever being a Christian company, do you?

A Santa, a snowflake, some holly, a polar bear, some jingle bells or plain red cup don’t define Christmas for me as a Christian. My relationship with Jesus does.

So, I will joyfully sip on my Starbucks coffee, in a plain red cup, and instead of complaining about the lack of decorations, I will lovingly share the good news of Jesus Christ with friends and co-workers or anyone who's willing to engage in conversation.

Merry Christmas to all!

By the way, Starbucks did issue a statement on the controversy.  According to the Gospel Herald, Jeffrey Fields, Starbucks vice president of design and content said in a statement, "In the past, we have told stories with our holiday cups designs," adding, "This year we wanted to usher in the holidays with a purity of design that welcomes all of our stories." He also said, "Starbucks has become a place of sanctuary during the holidays...We're embracing the simplicity and the quietness of it. It's more open way to usher in the holiday."

The coffee chain added that being diverse and inclusive is one of the brand's "core values."

Now, I must say when you hear a phrase like that, you think there is an agenda here.  And, Starbucks has been rather vocal on liberal causes, like gay marriage.  In fact, you can go to the company's website and read this, posted after the Supreme Court decision inventing a right to so-called same-sex marriage:

Being open, inclusive and forward-thinking is at the core of what Starbucks is about. Starbucks has been a longtime advocate for the LGBT community and marriage equality. The company filed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court case challenging the Defense of Marriage Act in 2013 and signed onto The People’s Brief earlier this year.

The company’s most vocal statement on diversity and equality came during a spontaneous exchange at the 2013 Starbucks Annual Meeting of Shareholders. During the question and answer portion of the meeting, a stockholder voiced his view that the company had lost customers because of its support for gay marriage.

“Not every decision is an economic decision,” responded Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, and ceo [sic]. “The lens in which we are making that decision is through the lens of our people.”

Cheers and applause interrupted Schultz, who continued, “If you feel, respectfully, that you can get a higher return than the 38% you got last year, it’s a free country. You can sell your shares in Starbucks and buy shares in another company. Thank you very much.”

Which begs a question:  if Starbucks or Amazon can be so vocal about their ideological views, why is there such an uproar over bakers, or a florist, or a wedding chapel that does business according to their ideological, and I dare say, spiritual views?  Howard Schultz certainly wants the money from Christians, and no doubt many Bible studies, accountability groups, and one-on-one conversations about truth take place within the walls of his stores.

But, the "Red Cup" controversy to me is an occurrence that really serves no purpose other than illustrate to Starbucks that there are Christians are silly, petty, and combative.  And #MerryChristmasStarbucks is generating enormous amounts of free publicity for the chain.  Perhaps some serious discussions about matters such as inclusion and diversity are what is needed. Because Christians are inclusive, too - Jesus came for all, and as we celebrate His birth, the real "reason for the season," we can be challenged to spread that message that out of His love He came to earth to mend the relationship with Father God by His death on a cross.   It's not the Red Cup, it's the Real Cause - the cause of redemption - that we celebrate at Christmas.