Is it Much Ado about Nothing?

Is it Christmas or not?

Published on December 7, 2005 By foreverserenity In Current Events

In one of my previous “Ramblings” blog I mentioned that some people wanted to do away with Christmas and wondered why they don’t just go to a deserted island somewhere until the season is over. I just read an article on MSNBC.com, Link, that even the President is caught in this snafu because of a greeting card he sent to many friends and others that said “Happy Holidays” and not “Merry Christmas”.

I’m all for celebrating Christmas for what it really is, celebrating the birth of Christ. Enjoying the reasons why we do it, because his birth meant our world would be saved because of his sacrifice. While some people may not want to get into the “Christianity” reason of it, and that’s really ok with me, and I’m sure the good father won’t strike anyone dead too, after all, he’s a forgiving God and if he’s going to get you, he will, eventually. [Spiritually that is, not kicking the bucket – bad reader! LOL!]

Now, here we are, it’s 2005 and this has become such a bone of contention between the masses! Is it Christmas or is it not Christmas? Did we not from day one of its conception celebrate it for what it was? Did we not go to church, if we wanted to, on Christmas Eve, and/or on Christmas morning, to celebrate the life of Christ and love each other because we’re all thankful to be alive for one more Christmas? Wasn’t that what most people do? And even if they didn’t go to church, it was at least acknowledged that it is what it is, Christmas?

What in tarnation is all this fuss about now? Who started it? Let’s just drag them out, grab them by the bootstraps and tell them to quit now while the going is good because we’re not going to get rid of Christmas, we’re not going to call it by any other name and we refuse, I repeat, refuse to give in to all the politically correct BS that is becoming the norm about it!

If Ramadan and Hanukah (I get confused as to whether that should be Chanukah or not – forgive me) and Kwanzaa can all be celebrated; if celebrations for the Hindu, the Greek and Russian Orthodox’, the Chinese, the Koreans, and any other culture and their religions, or feasts, or whatever the celebration they do to honor their Gods, then by George Christmas will be celebrated! Most of these cultures do celebrate the birth or inception of their gods in one form or another so why not let Christmas be.

Why do we have to worry about whether or not we say Merry Christmas? Why should it offend anyone? I just don’t get it! Just because there are so many different cultures here in this great country of ours, why should we let any ONE organization or culture dictate the normalcy of what we do? Why would they get offended? Why should they?

And Atheists, I have not forgotten you, because that would be so un-P.C. of me. So you might not believe in Christ, but do not most of you celebrate the season anyway, because of what it does, bringing families together, seeing the children happy, just being glad to be alive? Sharing in your friends who celebrate the season happiness, because somehow it’s very catching, this lovey-dovey, homely feeling that this time of year brings.

So should the President be held accountable for him not acknowledging that it is Christmas and not Happy Holidays? I say how redundant anyway because it is a seasonal holiday and saying Happy Holidays might be generic but it will cover a wide section of whatever cultural aspect one might fit in.

So then it should just be Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays right? Well if you feel like it, why not?

I’m just tired of all the fuss and it’s not good for the children to see how confused and idiotic the grown ups are being about all this. I tell my kids the story of Christmas and why we celebrate it because that’s what I believe and it has been a part of my culture. So they know the reasons why we give gifts, the same way the three wise men gave baby Jesus gifts. And you can choose to tell your children whatever you want to tell them. Whatever it is that will make this holiday your family’s tradition. [And don’t even get me started on the clowns who are also questioning whether there were three wise men or not or whether there was even a star!]

Have we become so uncouth, so callous, so hardened that even this we want to dismantle and throw by the wayside? Have we become so caught up in ourselves that we can’t see beyond our noses and see what we’re doing to our traditions?

Are we going to become a godless nation? I hope not. Because if we have nothing to believe in, whatever your beliefs are, then our country will be in big trouble!

So let’s not let all the snafus and arguments being tossed back and forth let us forget what this holiday season is all about. Let us not get too caught up with being politically correct or we will miss out on enjoying this time of the year with our family and friends.

Merry Christmas JU, Merry Christmas to all who read this and a Happy Holidays to you!

Comments

Tova7

on Dec 07, 2005

Merry Christmas to you too Forever....

Good article and right on the money.....

Trudygolightly

on Dec 07, 2005

Dear Ms Foreverserenity: MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

YOU GO GIRL! SOCK IT TO EM!

YES BY GUM WE'LL HAVE OUR MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS AND HAPPPY NEW YEAR TOO!

foreverserenity

on Dec 07, 2005

Here's a link to a website which features all the religious holidays by all religions. Now you see, there are so many...it's almost impossible to please everyone.Link

foreverserenity

on Dec 07, 2005

Reply By: Tova7Posted: Wednesday, December 07, 2005Merry Christmas to you too Forever....Good article and right on the money.....

Reply By: TrudygolightlyPosted: Wednesday, December 07, 2005Dear Ms Foreverserenity: MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!YOU GO GIRL! SOCK IT TO EM!YES BY GUM WE'LL HAVE OUR MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS AND HAPPPY NEW YEAR TOO!

Thanks you two! Merry Christmas!

Dr Guy

on Dec 07, 2005

Wow! When you get on a horse, your ride like no tomorrow! Very good! And a Merry Christmas to you and a Happy new year as well!

foreverserenity

on Dec 07, 2005

Wow! When you get on a horse, your ride like no tomorrow! Very good! And a Merry Christmas to you and a Happy new year as well!

Hahaha, Phillip...I just tell it like it is...especially when I feel very strongly about something!

Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too and a Happy New Year!

bigrickstallion

on Dec 07, 2005

I’m just tired of all the fuss and it’s not good for the children to see how confused and idiotic the grown ups are being about all this.

Ahmen to that. I wonder if Western Civilisation jumped on a plane and flew to Pakistan to visit with earth quake victims as they sit huddled in a Winter snow with bearly enough to eat, I wonder how important they would consider the difference between "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays."

If more of us got off our bums and helped our neighbours then such petty squabbles wouldn't be neccessary as we'd all be more inclined to KNOW and LIVE the spirit of Christmas rather than play out a form of Scroogism as we quibble about a turn of phrase.

bigrickstallion

on Dec 07, 2005

And I'll add one of these for good measure.

And one of these in anticipation of Xmas dinner.

And one of these for any dodgy read:knitted gifts.

And one of these for the hell of it.

And one of these for saying hell when talking about Xmas.

And one these because I'm an Atheist and so the above shouldn't affect me.

And one of these for all those "Santas" out there. Lest the kids find out.

foreverserenity

on Dec 07, 2005

wonder if Western Civilisation jumped on a plane and flew to Pakistan to visit with earth quake victims as they sit huddled in a Winter snow with bearly enough to eat, I wonder how important they would consider the difference between "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays."

If more of us got off our bums and helped our neighbours then such petty squabbles wouldn't be neccessary as we'd all be more inclined to KNOW and LIVE the spirit of Christmas rather than play out a form of Scroogism as we quibble about a turn of phrase.

True bigrick, so true! What's in a word or phrase, obviously a lot from all the fuss!

And I'll add one of these for good measure.
And one of these in anticipation of Xmas dinner.
And one of these for any dodgy read:knitted gifts.

And one of these for the hell of it.
And one of these for saying hell when talking about Xmas.
And one these because I'm an Atheist and so the above shouldn't affect me.

And one of these for all those "Santas" out there. Lest the kids find out.

Cute! Really cute!

Texas Wahine

on Dec 07, 2005

Even when we were Christian, my family never celebrated Christmas as a religious holiday. It seemed garish to me to mix the two.

However, I don't begrudge anyone their right to celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ, or celebrate the winter season in whatever way their religion or tradition dictates.

As far as Merry Christmas v. Happy Holidays goes, like you, I think it's a silly thing to get all upset about.

Happy Holidays is pretty much interchangeable for Merry Christmas (and it's a nice bit of alliteration!), and can be meant to encompass the entire holiday season...Christmas AND New Years or Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years or Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and Ramadan or anything else.

Happy Holidays is inclusive, but in no way conveys any negative opinion of Christmas. It's just a different holiday salutation.

Say it however you want to, President Bush!

foreverserenity

on Dec 07, 2005

However, I don't begrudge anyone their right to celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ, or celebrate the winter season in whatever way their religion or tradition dictates.

As far as Merry Christmas v. Happy Holidays goes, like you, I think it's a silly thing to get all upset about.

Eactly Tex, celebrating it anyway is up to each person.

How one celebrates it is also up them.

One of the sad part of why there seems to be so much fuss about all this is because not many people do that, because the retailers have made the Christmas holiday into being all about what to buy, what you receive and how much you spend. No wonder kids are confused! It's time we stop letting these establishments dictate how we celebrate our holidays. There's nothing wrong in buying a gift but it's not just for that reason.

foreverserenity

on Dec 07, 2005

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas to you too Whip!

Kill a tree for Christ!)

hehehehe....

No way baby! I use artificial tree! LOL!

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!