The War on Christmas

I figured this topic deserved its own blog post. I saw yet another random, in all caps no less, status on Facebook stating that they didn't care who they offend. It went a little something like this:

I DO NOT CARE IF THIS DOES OFFEND SOMEONE…THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE…I AM SICK AND TIRED OF EVERY YEAR WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES AROUND; THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO TAKE CHRIST OUT OF CHRISTMAS BECAUSE IT MIGHT OFFEND SOMEONE…WELL, HOW ABOUT ALL OF THE CHRISTIANS?...WHAT ABOUT OFFENDING US BECAUSE YOU ARE TAKING OUR CHRIST OUT OF CHRISTMAS?...CHRIST IS CHRISTMAS!...IF YOU AREN'T CELEBRATING CHRIST THEN WHY ARE YOU CELEBRATING?...CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR!...CHRISTMAS IS ONE OF A FEW HOLIDAYS LEFT THAT CELEBRATE "MY" CHRIST!...LEAVE "MY" HOLIDAY ALONE!...AND TELL EVERYONE MERRY CHRISTMAS, NOT HAPPY HOLIDAYS!...RE-POST IF YOU’RE NOT ASHAMED....


First, let me just state that I am happy for this person. It's my hope that this has been repeated by so many people that no one really knows who I am talking about (just so I don't have to see it). Furthermore, it's not important on who it is. But as the person above stated, I'm sick and tired of this same mantra every year.


Second, It's not your holiday. Christmas has co-opted other religion's holy days. There are bits and pieces of every religion within Christmas. Christianity isn't the only religion that has a miraculous birth with a savior that is coming to save mankind from themselves. It's not the only religion that demands you follow their god and only their god to get into their version of heaven. It's not even the only Abrahamic religion or religion that includes Abraham as its founding father. Come to think of it, I'm not sure if there is any part of Christianity that's original except the War on Christmas thing. 


Third, Pagans celebrate Yule, some Blacks celebrate Kwanzaa, Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah (Festival of Lights) and some people have blended religions in their family so they celebrate the Holidays. Christians do not have a monopoly on what happens at this time of year, so if someone wants to celebrate the winter solstice then they don't need your permission - there is no trademark. There's evidence that Jesus wasn't even born on this day or this season and further evidence that suggests that in an attempt to get the Pagans to transfer to the new religion (Christianity) easier and more quickly, the Christians (of the time) choose this date for it's proximity to the Pagan festival of Yule. Rumor has it there was penalty of death if they didn't convert but that's another matter altogether.


Fourth, no one and I repeat NO ONE is taking your Christ out of Christmas. The only person that can do that is YOU. I say this because your religious choice is just that - a choice. Provided that Christmas still means the celebration of Christ's birth to you then that is what it shall mean. The moment you stop remembering that it celebrates Christ's birth is the moment it ceases to be so for you but someone else may still consider it that way; therefore, it's still a celebration of Christ's birth to them.


Finally, Christians have been offending people for as long as I can remember. So perhaps it is time you were offended. But there is nothing offensive about celebrating Kwanzaa, Yule, Winter Solstice, Christmas or just the Holidays. It's not even offensive that you scream about this same crap year after year with no results but it is annoying. When will you all understand that your religion is about you and what you believe - not the world at large. It's all about what you understand and hold dear in your heart. Christ hasn't been taken out of Christmas unless you allow it to happen in your heart, mind and soul. Until then, Christ will always be in Christmas.


Shout Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Merry Yule, Merry Solstice, Happy Holidays or Happy Hanukkah. If someone greets you with something other than what you believe the time to be just nod your head and give your greeting. Smile knowing that you've wished someone Love during this Holiday season. As Cruella DeVil once said, "Is it difficult?".


Instead of seeing offense where none are meant, how about just celebrating the season in your time, in your way. Understand that by using the phrase "Happy Holidays" it's someone just wanting to be inclusive because they do not know what the other person celebrates. They aren't trying to be offensive. But as I said above, if you want to say Merry Christmas then do it and don't be offended or upset because someone give a greeting for another holiday celebrated during this time.


I'm sure you people mean well but I am seriously having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit with your incessant yammering going on about The War on Christmas.

Merry Christmas? Merry Xmas? Happy Holidays?

I figure most of you know I'm talking about the end of the year holidays and everything that comes with them. Thanksgiving is a little over a week away then Christmas will be a month later with New Year's Eve being one week after that.

I actually like this time of year because it appears that most people are in a helpful mood (except at Black Friday sales then all bets are off). I like Christmas music but I can't say the same for the other holidays at this time because I have never listened to music specifically for that holiday. I'm not a big fan of people or their cheerfulness that often but something about this time of year seems okay.

But do you want to know what I truly despise about this time of year? The annual War on Christmas! That's right, ladies and gentlemen, the War of Christmas. Nothing is more annoying than to hear people scream as loud as they can (or from posts on Facebook or Twitter or Google+) that they are keeping the Christ in Christmas - Who's with me?

First, let me explain, putting Christ in Christmas does about as much good for Christmas as putting a screen door on a submarine does for the submarine.

Second, Christmas is, more or less, a commercial event these days. I buy gifts for a handful of people (added a new one this year! He knows who he is...) and give them out then I'm done. I do have this strange idea to give handmade gifts one year but I'd have to practically start now for Christmas 2012 and even then I think I'm being conservative about the time it would take. But that is not the only strange idea I have at the moment. So that you don't think my train of thought has derailed, I won't talk about the other ideas.

Lastly, a heard a phrase that I liked, it said, "I'll put the Christ back in Christmas when you put the Christ back in Christian - You first." To some degree the statement is true in that not all who call themselves Christians are actually Christians. Then, of course, if you want people to see that Christmas is really about Christ and his birth then put the Christ back in Christian and show us all what it really means. The burden of proof is on Christians for this one for they are the ones who demand that people believe they are the true way.

I had an epiphany about Christmas and that was I really just don't care anymore. I would love for a store to be open when I get bored and want something else to do even if I don't intend on purchasing items. Thankfully, my new area has three Chinese restaurants which will probably be open. If nothing else, I can enjoy a dish of dog balls covered in cat spit (admit it, you were thinking it too or in some other variation).

For what it's worth, I had an epiphany about my job too. I learned that I really didn't want a job - I just wanted a paycheck.

Furthermore, has it really come down to this? An annual naughty or nice list of businesses, based on the number of times, that have used the word Christmas in advertising? I've wondered if a business could boost their chances of being on the nice list just by saying Christmas in their advertisements over and over again even though they were an adult store.

I have seen these little posts that talk about how saying Christmas would be taboo soon and I don't think that's true. Besides, what is wrong with saying Merry Christmas to someone that wishes you a Happy Kwanzaa? I generally repeat back whatever the person says to me because it's not worth the time to say anything else. If someone says Happy Holidays and you want to wish them a Merry Christmas then do so - there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. If that person gets upset then they are no better than the Christians who demand Christmas instead of Xmas.

This holiday season, live and let live - within reason. Understand that this hatred and annoyance over a word simply isn't worth it in the end.

OUISER