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December 21, 2004
It's Chrismas, silly!
All over the USA, people who claim to be defending our freedom (i.e. the ACLU and many newspapers) are doing their damndest to make Christmas an ex-word. Grumpy people complain to newspapers about calling Christmas Cookies Christmas Cookies. Some businesses ban the words "Merry Christmas" in fear of offending someone.
Well, phooey on all of them! I will say Merry Christmas to the poor schmucks working retail who are forced to say Happy Holidays. I will say Merry Christmas to my coworkers and risk getting written up. I will say Merry Christmas to the UPS guy, the mailman, the guy at the Commissary and the lady at the gas station. I will say Merry Christmas to my friends, my loved ones, my neighbors.
I will bake Christmas Cookies and wrap Christmas presents. I'll put a Yuletide Log on the fire and a Christmas wreath on the door.
My Christmas Tree (not a gifting tree - that is so wrong) has Santas next to Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus.
No anti-Christmas Grinch is going to steel my Christmas!
Most of the folks I know feel pretty much the same way - so in reality, instead of oppressing non-Christians, I think most of us are truly just sharing the joy of the season - it is not a slur against non-Christians if we wish them a Merry Christmas, if anything, it is an act of inclusion by wishing them the Joys of Christmas.
Apparently non-Christians feel 'excluded' from Christmas. Well ... d'uh! They don't believe in Jesus Christ, so they exclude themselves. As a Catholic, I suppose I could say I'm excluded from Ramadan and Kwanza and Hannuka or the Winter Solstice. But that's okay - it is a free fricking country, and we are not all alike. In fact, I think it would be grand if people wished everyone Happy Kwanza, Happy Hannuka or Merry Winter Solstice if that is what they are celebrating. I promise not to be offended. I suspect that Ramadan is not considered a 'happy' holiday, but if someone wished me a Holy Ramadan, I would not be offended either.
I have no objection to public schools banning Christmas songs from programs as long as songs from all other faiths are also banned. So no Kwanza or Eid or Wiccan celebrations in public schools.
And all those town squares? Well, if it's okay to put up a Menorrah, then it ought to okay to put up a Creche. Or perhaps town squares should just stay town squares year round and not put up any decorations at all. I'd prefer they fix the streets, myself.
Anyway, I'm sure you get my point. My readers are smart. And this is no art!
Posted by Beth at December 21, 2004 6:30 AM
Comments
Merry Christmas Beth.
Thank you for saying what so many of us feel.
Posted by: Allan at December 21, 2004 7:06 AM
Well said!! Merry Christmas!! :D
What the #@%* is a "gifting tree"? Ugh.
Posted by: pam at December 21, 2004 8:20 AM
I about fell over today - I called our corporate office and the receptionist answered "Merry Christmas!" After a second of shocked silence I told her how much I loved the way she answered the phone and Merry Christmas right back at ya!!
I'm with ya 100% on this one! Merry Christmas Beth & John!
Posted by: Tammi at December 21, 2004 8:46 PM
Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!
Only 4 weeks to go with this pregnancy thing. Due on the 19th, now...
If you are in town - you can be one of the first to see the new baby. (hint, hint) :-)
Posted by: Rosemary the Queen of All Evil at December 23, 2004 1:32 AM
What do we do about the people who are not christians? I think it is unfair to force them to endure a holiday that is not one they celebrate. Yet we do so because when non-christians go into our stores, they hear "Merry Christmas" etc etc Etc.
Have a happy holiday everyone.
Posted by: Magnum Serpentine at December 24, 2004 9:05 AM
Why should Christians be excluded from celebrating their holidays? I am not bothered by other faiths and non-faiths (Kwanza is not a religious holiday) celebrating theirs - I think they can live and let live just as I do.
Posted by: Beth Donovan at December 24, 2004 9:37 AM