People can work whenever they want. But until 30 or so years ago people called the Holiday on December 25th by its proper name.
You state that cities put up Nativity scenes. I don't think so. On MLK Day you can erect a statue of MLK on the lawn of City Hall, but on Christmas Day, a day selected by the Congress to honor the birth of Jesus Christ, you dare not display a Nativity Scene with the likeness of Jesus Christ on that same lawn. Why can't "we the people" celebrate the full meaning of the Christmas federal holiday as we do on the MLK federal holiday?
Thirty yars ago stores held "Christmas Sales." There were "Christmas Parties." There was "Christmas Break" from school.
WHY did all that change? Or, more importantly, what was the goal of those who pushed those changes? Why, of the ten federal holidays, was only Christmas Day targeted for the name change?
Flag Day is near the 4th of July, yet I've never been to a 4th of July Party whose name was changed to incoporate the nearby, yet minor, Flag Day. So, why do Christmas parties suffer a name change in order to incorporate a similarly near, (and by your admission) minor Holy Day observed by 2% of the population?
Again, people can call their December parties by any name they want, BUT WHY HAS THE NAME THAT WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE FIRST 200 YEARS OF THE REPUBLIC CHANGED, AND WHO OR WHAT FORCES HAVE PROPELLED THE CHANGE?
PS: Easter has also lost events associated with its name. Easter Break, Easter Sales, Easter Baskets have all had their names changed. Of course, Easter is not a federal holiday. But as we both know, and as you refuse to admit, the reason why people like you want to excise the word "Christmas" from the lexicon is not bacuse it is a Holiday, but because it is also a Christian Holy Day. Easter, being another (and even more important) Christian Holy Day has suffered a similar fate to that of Christmas. Coinicidence? I don't think so.
I never said I wanted to excise Christmas from the lexicon. I have said to me it is a meaningless day. You are the one who wrote in a a misdirected FReepmail that you do not be,ieve that I neither celebrate nor receive any benefitr from Christmas. Explain that one.
Easter isn't a federal holiday. So what?
Easter, being another (and even more important) Christian Holy Day
Tell me again how bunnies, chocolate and eggs (a nice fertility symbol, btw) factor into your religion's messianic story?
So, why do Christmas parties suffer a name change in order to incorporate a similarly near, (and by your admission) minor Holy Day observed by 2% of the population?
Yep...it's the fault of all the Joooooooos. I knew that one was coming. Here's a little news bit: We had Jews, Chriostians, ateists, and a Hindu in my office. Not everyone is a trad Catholic.