Meaning of holly-lily | Babel Free

Definitions

Attending church during Christmas and Easter, and almost never for any other time of the year.

not-comparable

Examples

“People who go to church only on Christmas and Easter sometimes are called "C and E" or "holly-lily" Christians, or even "Easter bunnies."”

“In church circles, when pastors and staff and church members plan⟳ for the Holly-Lily influx (printing extra bulletins, for example, or preparing the overflow room off of the sanctuary), the feeling is usually less than affectionate. To congregants who support⟳ the church Sunday after Sunday, Holly-Lily folks can be easily stereotyped as slackers who want⟳ a good church without the hassle of participation. To pastors who are exhausted from extra holiday sermons and services, not to mention⟳ the stress⟳ of preaching for folks who hear⟳ only two sermons a year, it can be tempting to see⟳ the Holly-Lily crowd's financial gifts as the only blessing of their attendance.”

“I've always heard of them as the holly-lily crowd.”

“Ooh I’ve never heard Christers before! We call⟳ them Holly-Lily Christians where I’m from”

“They don't like⟳ the p word ["pagans"]. As a Christian, we refer⟳ to them as the holly lily crowd. They only show⟳ up on Christmas and Easter.”

CEFR level