This is a great time of year. A time to give and receive gifts, a time for gatherings for families and friends, and a time of celebration. As we celebrate Christmas, we quite often sing as part of that celebration. In this day and age, when we sing our Christmas carols we need to be very careful that we don’t offend anyone. In order to help with that, I’ve found a list of some non-offensive, acceptable songs. These are the Top 10 Politically Correct Christmas Carols.

10. O’ Holiday Tree
9. Have Yourself a Merry Little Day of Winter
8. Chestnuts Roasting Over a Safely Contained, Continuously Monitored, Eco-Friendly, Nontoxic Outdoor Fire (For Which I Do Have a Permit)
7. Higher Power, Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (and Gentlewomen)
6. Grandma Allegedly Got Run Over by an Unidentified Non-Human Perpetrator
5. Deck the Halls with Boughs of Unendangered Foliage (If Office Policy Permits)
4. Frosty the Snowperson
3. I Saw Mommy Greeting Santa Claus with a Purely Platonic Expression of Inoffensive Mutual Affection
2. I’ll Be Home for a Short Period of Time in December
1. Hark! The Herald Mythical Winged Creatures Sing

Obviously, changing Christmas carols in this way seems crazy, and yet, there may be times when we go out of our way to avoid offending people when perhaps we shouldn’t. I am not suggesting that we should go around trying to offend people because that would also be wrong. Romans 12:18 says: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” What I am suggesting is that we need to make sure we are not hiding who we are just because it might make others uncomfortable. Matthew 5 tells us:

¹⁴“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5

If we are that city on a hill, that beacon of truth, there will be some that take offense. Even Jesus offended with His message of truth. In Matthew 15, we read this:

¹²Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” ¹³He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. ¹⁴Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” – Matthew 15

Look at all of the coverage that Tim Tebow is getting. Most of the coverage isn’t because he is the quarterback of the Denver Broncos. Most of it is because he continually, unashamedly gives God the glory for everything. Many people want him to just shut up and play, to stop talking about Jesus, to keep his faith and his football separate. The fact of the matter is, the truth makes people uncomfortable and shielding them from it won’t help them.

Have you made anyone uncomfortable today? Should you have?