MERRY CHRISTMAS
OK here we go on the latest hot button issue. Everywhere you go, everyone is afraid to say it. You know, it is the terrible "C" word: CHRISTMAS! OH no, I'm in trouble now!
It started when I was just a child with Merry "X"mas being substituted. Then it went to Seasons Greetings and Happy Holidays. Now you see those phrases everywhere and no Merry Christmas can be found. Unless of course you are "insensitive" like me. Then today I saw a sign where I live that said the city "Winter Lights Display" was sponsored by certain businesses. The over-commercialization of Christmas aggravates me as well. Because of this Christ is already hidden behind Santa and all of the presents and stuff. But that is not enough for the over-sensitive folks, NO! Now Christ is being blotted out completely, and they will not stop until you never hear that name again. You see, the point never was the fact that they are offended. They just don't want Christ's name around at all.
OK here is my Problem with all of this. I have no issues with saying Seasons Greetings or Happy Holidays to someone you don't know if you think you might offend them. Although, if the truth be told, I think everyone needs to relax and stop with the "I'm Offended" whining (that's another post for another day). Where I draw the line is when folks take things that are traditional Christmas celebration Items and change the name. It is a Christmas tree, those are Christmas lights, they are Christmas Presents, and for Pete's sake put Merry Christmas on the cards. I had no idea that folks that celebrate something other than Christmas or nothing at all used trees, lights, or any of those things. So, how do we offend anyone who is not a Christian when we call items that they don't use for their celebrations or lack thereof Christmas this or that? We don't! They just want to eliminate Christ from this country that was founded on his name.
So, I'm just not going to take it any more. To me it will always be Christmas. I will say Merry Christmas everywhere I go. I'll holler it from the top of a mountain if I have to. I don't hear any Christians asking that the words Hanukkah or Kwanza be silenced. We are supposed to be the hatemongers and the "our way is the only way" people, but we are the ONLY ones not trying to take someone's preferred religious terms or celebrations away.
That's my 2 cents, so back off!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!
2 comments:
Because I'm also a Christian, it will also be Christmas to me. My family and I really celebrate with many traditions that are just our and others that are universial to Christians. There are, hopwever, many different holidays/holy days celebrated at this time of year and with that in mind, when I was asked to give the invocation recently at a breakfast of business and government here is what I said...
Let us pray. Dear gracious heavenly Father, thank you for this beautiful day. Thank you for bringing these wonderful people together.
This year, in this season when we celebrate the birth of your Son, in the season of giving, in the season of Joy to the World, in the season of Peace on Earth Goodwill Toward Men… there is much debate about whether we should say Season’s Greetings or Happy Hanukkah or Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays.
Help us understand the reason for the season, the Christ in Christmas, and, that holiday is a word derived from the term holy day. Help us understand that there are many different holidays and many different holy days celebrated at this time of year. And in this great country, founded on religious freedom, everyone should worship and celebrate their traditions comfortably and freely.
Now, bless us with a day of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Bless America, the greatest nation of all. And bless our servicemen and women who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship You as we each see fit. For all of this, and Your never-ending grace, we give our thanks.
Now bless the hands that prepared this food for our nourishment, bless our lawmakers and the difficult job that remains ahead for them, and bless our Chamber that it may continue to strongly serve our community.
Finally, in the words of the Dickens character Tiny Tim, “God bless us, every one.” Bless us all this wonderful and happy Christmas holiday season. Season’s Greetings… Happy Hanukkah… Merry Christmas… Happy Holidays… to us all.
Amen.
Great post. We just want everyone to leave CHRISTMAS alone just like we leave their Haunakkah or Kwanza or whatever alone.
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