 Companies spend months planning company Christmas parties to hold lavish holiday festivities. However, no matter how grand the venue, Christmas parties are not necessarily for Christians. When Christ is not invited to the party, it’s anything but a Christmas party. The only way Christians are assured of celebrating Christ at the office Christmas party is if they work for a Christian-based company. Christmas parties, hosted by secular companies, that are held after office hours at an off-site location have become events where company workers carry out inappropriate acts they have thought of throughout the year. If you know people will drink too much, tell distasteful jokes and make inappropriate advances, it is not an event for Christians. You don’t want to be a part of a social event that “suggests” Christ, but celebrates anything but Christ. As a Christian, be prepared to make the executive decision to not attend your company’s Christmas party. Here are a few questions to ask yourself to determine if you should not attend the company Christmas party: 1. Where will the party be? If it is at a bar, lounge or a place you would not otherwise go, then you should not attend. If your company hosts a sit-down holiday dinner at a reserved restaurant, you might decide it is permissible. Also, a party at the office, during office hours, is usually appropriate because companies generally do not permit liquor (alleviating drinking problems) at the workplace and employees generally conduct themselves appropriately because they are at work. 2. Are your co-workers the type of people you would socialize with outside the office? You work with your co-workers 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 48-50 weeks a year, so you know what they talk about, what they do on their weekends and what their beliefs are. If your co-workers are not the kind of people you would socialize with outside the office, it is best you do not attend the Christmas party. 3. Is this a party that your manager or boss will attend? If so, this may be a casual, but business-like atmosphere that you feel comfortable attending. Employees tend to behave appropriately when their boss is present for fear of losing their job. However, when your boss, manager or the president of the company leaves the party, consider the party to be over, and make your exit soon after, because anyone who wants to misbehave will likely take their opportunity at that time. Don’t think you are going to convert anyone to Christianity by going to the company “Christmas” party. Nowadays, Christmas parties are merely a temptation to sell your soul for a free “celebratory” plate of food. If you are a Christian, make the quality decision to not put yourself in situations that will compromise your Christian footprint. When you are seen at a gala with people who make a mockery of Christianity, your reputation as a Christian becomes questionable. Company Christmas parties are not usually for Christians, if the company is not Christian-based. The worst you can do for Christ at Christmas is let non-Christians control your celebration of Him. To celebrate Christ, it is important for Christians to celebrate with other Christians, maintaining full control of the celebration. When we control the venue and the festivities, then we can invite "select" non-Christians, on our terms--and properly share the message of Christ. © VC Edwards 2012 All rights reserved. Found Treasure Publishing | Great Gifts for |
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