The debate rages on every year around this time about whether to say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays,” as it seems nothing can ever be done that isn’t offensive towards some group. An expression of good tidings can’t even be uttered now without it being considered to be possibly politically incorrect.
To say “Merry Christmas,” is not meant to be offensive to Jews, atheists or anyone else who doesn’t wish to observe the holiday but is simply calling it what it is. The song is not titled ‘White Holidays,” but at least until it gets lobbied to be changed, it’s ‘White Christmas.’
The argument is made that by saying ‘Happy Holidays,’ that Hanukkah, Kwanza, Ramadan, Fourth of July and everything else is included, leaving nobody out. However, someone is left out, a pretty important individual, who carries more weight than even Santa…Christ.
Efforts are made to protect the feelings of everyone but the Christians. It’s fine for a God loving Christian to be told “Happy Holidays,” but to tell a Jehovah Witness “Merry Christmas” is terribly insensitive. God is already being pushed out of the Pledge, public schools and the President’s speeches, He should not be taken out of the celebration of His birth. It has become almost unlawful to speak of Christ in public, yet everyone wonders why society is in such chaos.
The expression of ‘Merry Christmas,’ is not even intended as a religious message or an invitation to church. It’s no different as saying ‘Happy Valentines Day,’ at the risk of offending those who haven’t had a date in six months. You don’t stop saying it, just because someone may be bothered by it.
I’m not a heartless Scrooge whose opposed to the other variations of Christmas, Adam Sandler’s ‘Hanukkah Song,’ is one of my favorite carols. It’s much more enjoyable to listen to than ‘Deck the Halls.’ And to someone wearing a Yamaka I have enough common courtesy to not wish them a ‘Merry Christmas,’ and I respect their traditions.
I came across this poem that expresses the point better than I can.
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
Why the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas – no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ‘ Holiday’.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears
You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,
not Happy Holiday!
