Starbucks Holiday Cup More "Christmas" Than We Believed?

Source of photo: huffingtonpost.comPosted by Kaley Thompson

There's been a lot of talk about the newly released Starbucks Christmas cup. The plain red colored material without the holiday banner  "denies the hope of Jesus," one woman states according to the Huffington Post.   Its color and lack of detail  "oppressing Christians by insulting Christmas."

So I went to go find this offensive object. I walked in Starbucks and just asked to hold a cup to try to understand. After getting a strange look from the barista, she handed me the infamously simple, red paper coffee holder. I cupped it in my hand and you know what I thought? This is more "Christmas" than we believed.

It's simple. And intentionally so. Starbucks' VP of design wanted it to embrace  "simplicity and the quietness” that surround the holidays. Which is ironic because there's lots of noise.

So maybe Mr. VP of design is right.  This year we need to take away the snowflake and ornament adorned coffee cups. The shopping like crazy. The focus on the parties and the decorations. The million church and religious services. And get back to the simple, true meaning of the holidays.

That when this whole "Christmas" thing started, there was a baby born humbly in a manger. He was the radical scandalous grace of God that came to live among us. To one day take our sins and wipe them away when his blood ran red down a cross. As he died and resurrected, gave us life. And as a result, we have a lot to be thankful for. Like the freedom to live a life full of grace and coffee. In a cup with or without a reindeer playing in the snow.

So consume holiday flavored beverages that warm your soul wherever you want. Have an opinion about it and miss the festive designs. Because they are pretty.  But know that the love of Jesus and the joy you hold in your heart mean more this Thanksgiving and Christmas than what's on the outside of your coffee cup. And that is what this crazy holiday season is simply all about.

Kaley Thompson is the chief storyteller at People of the Second Chance. She lives in Charlotte, NC and wears a sparkly motorcycle helmet.