We live crazy lives, constantly surrounded by many events, ideas, and things that keep us busy. One of my favorite things to do after a hectic day is to revert back to simplicity; enjoy a movie or a book, listen to some music, drink some tea. I think this was Starbucks' idea this year when they designed their Christmas cup, a simple red and white cup to remind people to revert back to simplicity.
This little red cup is scaring Christians left and right, as if the cup were Mother Russia and we were going to be taken over by a communist regime (hence the second red scare). Why is everyone so afraid and angry at a little red cup?
Starbucks' cups in the past have been adorned with snowmen, snowflakes, reindeer, Santa, etc. Many people have decided that because Starbucks chose this year to not include the secular images of Christmas it means that as a corporation they do not support Christmas and if they don’t support Christmas, then they obviously do not support Christian values or Jesus Christ.
I am a Christian and in my opinion the people who believe that Starbucks hates Jesus are seriously missing the point and are way off target. Let me tell you a couple of reasons why I disagree with those people.
First off, everything during Christmas that depicts Santa and reindeer are the secularization of a Christian holiday. Starbucks cups were never praising Jesus on the side of their cups anyways. If anything, Starbucks is putting their hate on Santa Clause and Rudolph not Jesus. If Christians think that the abandonment of snowflakes and trees is why Starbucks hates Jesus then they need to go back and read the bible a time or two again.
Also, Jesus lived in simplicity. He was born in a manger, not a castle. So, Starbucks' cups could be a representation of Jesus’ simplicity. The simplicity in the red cup shows how humble Jesus was during his time on earth and how humble he continues to be. If anything, Christians should be praising Starbucks to remind everyone that during the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season that we need to remember our humility and remember to love all in simplicity but profoundly.
The Christmas season and Advent is a time to be joyful and happy. So I have one question for those people who think the Starbucks cups this season are sinful. How is creating a rage filled controversy joyful, happy, or peaceful? I say that we need to embrace the simplicity of the cups and realize that Christmas is not in the material things, as Jesus was born for that very reason. Let us celebrate Christmas joyfully and end the second red scare while we are still ahead; stop arguing with Starbucks and enjoy time with your family, which is what Christmas is really about. Be humble as Jesus was and love unceasingly this Christmas season.
