In Defense of Christmas

When did Christmas become a “bad word”? Or I suppose the better question would be WHY did the word “Christmas” become something we are told to avoid? We can say “Happy Holidays” but not “Merry Christmas”, even on Christmas day? I don’t understand why this is considered offensive. I wish my Jewish friends “Happy Hanakkuh” and don’t feel offended that they celebrate a holiday I don’t.Why can’t we be free to celebrate what we believe, out in the open without repercussions, without being called “insensitive”? Why can’t we just let people celebrate and say what they wish to say without getting all bent out of shape? Aren’t there more important things in the world to lose sleep over??? It’s so strange to me, this political correctness run amok! It drives me insane on many levels, but the Christmas piece not only drives me insane but makes no sense whatsoever.

The very word “Christmas” has the word “Christ” in it. The holiday is meant to commemorate the day of Jesus Christ’s birth, a man billions of Christians worldwide acknowledge as their savior. The holiday is a day we celebrate the birth of Christ but we shouldn’t say “Christmas”? What is worse is the hypocrisy. Years ago, the Salvation Army had a man dressed as Santa ringing his bell around Christmas time and wishing a jolly “Merry Christmas” to those who deposited a donation. Now, they have a person in plain clothes, ringing a bell and the words on the sign above their kettle reads “Doing the Most Good” Huh?? I asked one volunteer, why they stopped saying “Merry Christmas” and his response was “We do good all year long”. My response to him was “and yet, you only ring your bells at Christmas time. ” It seems to me they want to capitalize on the Christmas holiday wihtout acknowledging its existence. It is is mind blowing. Sales in every brick and mortar store and online always focus on Christmas and yet, store employees are not permitted to say “Merry Christmas”.

We have off on Christmas Day in schools and yet we can’t have a “Christmas Party”….We need to call it a “Holiday” party and God forbid we are heard saying “Merry Christmas” in a public school. The teacher would no doubt be brought up on charges! I understand that it would make a nonchristian student uncomfortable to have to sing “Silent Night” in a school concert, so I get the secular songs for winter concerts. But to be offended by the words “Merry Christmas?? That I do not get. I also don’t understand the hypocrisy of wanting to ban “Baby It’s Cold Outside” a Christmas classic, from an innocent time because it’s lyrics suggest “date rape”??. The same people who want to ban this song listen to Rap music where violence and slurs against women are apparently acceptable?? But perhaps that is a subject for another post, so let us get back to Christmas.

My family usually goes to mass and then out to dinner on Christmas Eve. The restaurant is always decorated festivally with “Christmas” trees, poinsettias etc. When we leave, we always say “Merry Christmas” to the staff. One young waiter whispered “Thank you, same to you. But we’re not allowed to say “Merry Christmas”. I spoke to the manager who confirmed this. This is where insanity takes root. I can understand not saying “Merry Christmas” when the staff does not know the religious officilation of its clientele (even though the entire family is festooned in red and green and toasting “Merry Christmas”) but when a customer says “Merry Christmas”….they are forbidden from returning the greeting?? It’s enough to make my head spin.

Yes, there is a commercialism that has crept into Christmas and yes, Santa Claus, Christmas trees etc. all represent that commercialism. And maybe that aspect is more secular than religious holiday. But, the holiday, the commercialism, all rose from the celebration of Christmas, the day we celebrate the birth of Christ. We say “Happy Independence Day” on the 4th of July, the day that celebrates the birth of our nation. We are permitted to acknowledge holidays we have off to celebrate Martin Luther King’s Birthday and two of our Presidents’ birthdays, but we cannot in public acknowledge our celebration of the birth of the man so many consider to be their savior. No one is forcing nonbelievers to believe that Christ is our savior nor to believe his birth story. No one is forcing anyone to celebrate the birth of Christ. But why are they so offended when those of us who believe, do? I’m not so sure I believe a day’s worth of oil kept a menorah lit for 8 days in the temple, but I respect the fact that many of my Jewish friends do believe and celebrate the 8 days of Hanakkah. I have even participated in their beautiful and joyful celebration. Many of my Jewish friends wish me a Merry Christmas and send me cards. But to acknowledge Christmas in public is considered rude or offensive. As Yul Brenner sang in “The King and I”, “tis a puzzlement”. All I know is that I say “Merry Christmas” because December 25th is Christmas Day and if people are offended, well, so be it. If people are that easily offended by a greeting, I feel sorry for them and will keep them in my prayers, although…I guess that would likely be considered offensive as well.

I personally think the Hallmark Channel was created for those of us who believe Christmas needs to be acknowledged and celebrated. As corny as the movies are, they always say “Merry Christmas” unashamed, unabashed and jubilently. For those of us who love Christmas and all it represents, it is a safe haven. And for that, I am grateful to Hallmark. As for the Scrooges in this world, may you all be visited by The Spirits of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come, and if not, then at the very least, I hope Santa leaves you a lump of coal in your stocking. Although, I guess that may be offensive too, as some people are now also protesting coal. As my Jewish friends say “Oy Vey”.