Posted on 12/05/2005 5:37:21 PM PST by NotchJohnson
No, Virginia, There Is No More Christmas December 1, 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh, well. It was great while it lasted. Who will forget the joys of decorating the tree, downing the eggnog, opening Christmas cards, singing carols, putting milk and cookies out for Santa, opening presents on Christmas morning, and joining family and friends for Christmas dinner? Too bad it’s gone forever.
Haven’t you heard? If you believe Fox News, this is the last Christmas we’ll ever enjoy. We’ll be lucky even to celebrate this one. Because, according to Faux News, Christmas is under attack. There’s a war on Christmas. For Christians, the most important day of the year, the birthday of Jesus, is being trampled upon by liberals, secularists, atheists, heathens, Wiccans and Democrats.
“All over the country, Christmas is taking flak,” warns Fox’s phone-sex expert, Bill O’Reilly. “Ten years ago, almost everybody said Merry Christmas in America,” he laments, “but now that’s changed. It is ‘Happy Holiday’ time. Christmas is a forbidden word to some.” Pat Buchanan, the only conservative not on Fox, adds: “What we are witnessing here are hate crimes against Christianity.”
Hogwash. If you believe that nonsense, you also believe that Fox News is “fair and balanced.” This is the second year in a row that Fox has decided to boost its winter ratings by accusing liberals of waging war on Christmas. And also the second year they’re joined by religious-right extremists, who seem possessed by some kind of dark, Messianic complex. They’re not happy unless they believe someone’s nailing them to the cross.
Look, I’m the biggest Christmas junkie of all. I love Christmas. Ask my wife and kids. I always go overboard in celebrating Christmas. I want the biggest tree, the nicest presents, the most parties — and I can’t stop myself from going way over budget. Yes, I still believe in Santa Claus. I never get tired of singing the familiar carols. If I thought anybody was trying to steal Christmas, I’d be the first one to man the barricades.
But it’s just not happening. It’s a phony issue. There is no war on Christmas. Look around you. Stores are full of Christmas decorations. Corner lots are selling Christmas trees. Postmen are already delivering Christmas cards. Homes are lit up with Christmas lights. Schools, businesses and government offices are preparing to shut down for the Christmas break. America’s as Christmasy as ever.
In fact, I’ve only heard O’Reilly give two reasons why he and other Foxies believe Christmas is under siege: Some store clerks say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas;” and some cities feature “holiday trees” instead of Christmas trees. Pardon my French, but big freakin’ deal. If hearing someone say “Happy Holidays” undermines your Christian faith, you’ve got problems even the Blessed Mother couldn’t fix. And, besides, not all Americans are Christians. Not everybody celebrates Christmas. But all Americans do celebrate the holidays. Wishing someone “Happy Holidays” is no attack on Christianity, but it is a recognition of America’s diversity.
And what do Christmas trees have to do with the birth of Christ? Absolutely nothing. There was not one Christmas tree in all of Palestine. Originally, the fir tree was revered by pagans as a symbol of male fertility. In the seventh century, a German monk converted it into a symbol of the Holy Trinity, and urged Christians to hang it in their homes – upside down! No matter what you call it, in no way does the Christmas tree, or holiday tree, symbolize the true meaning of Christmas: God made man, born of a virgin, in a humble manger.
No matter how wrong they are, however, Fox is not the first to announce that Christmas is under attack. The last time was back in the 1950s, when leaders of the far-right John Birch Society blamed an anti-Christmas campaign on communists. But they were only echoing Henry Ford, who warned Americans in 1921 that Christmas was being stolen by the Jews. Fox is today’s John Birch and Henry Ford.
I’m not accusing members of Fox News, or their comrades on the religious right, of being anti-Semitic. But they do manifest the same intolerance as the Birchers and Ford, and the same level of paranoia: Just because not everybody looks, thinks, talks and prays like them, there’s something wrong with America.
No, there’s nothing wrong with Americans being different. Our diversity is what makes us a great country. Happy Holidays!
Bill Press is the same stupid jerk today that he was on the WMAL (Washington DC) Morning Show. Thankfully I don't have to hear him any more.
The author is confused. He sees that the red and green party decorations are going on as strong as ever, but seems unaware (or unconcerned) that the guest of honor's name is no longer to be mentioned in public lest people who want the party without the Saviour be "offended".
Bill Press has imPressed me before as being way off the narrow path with his views. His idea of how to celebrate Christmas is, indeed, a reflection of the lost world rather than the Truth of Christ's birth. Shameful.
Press is a dope.
BELIEVE IT!
Excuse me Bill, what they say is true dear. Are we to not believe what we see and hear, and believe your lies? Don't think so.
Stopped reading when I noticed the author. Total putz.
For someone who "celebrates" Christmas, Press doesn't appear to have any idea what Christians believe. While it is true that leftists like him are trampling upon the Christian celebration of Christ's birth, it is by no means true that it is the most important Christian observance. That would be Easter. While it was clearly necessary for Jesus to be born, that was not sufficient for our salvation. Only the death and resurrection allow any of us to see Heaven. Only they are sufficient, so Easter is more important to Christians.
They spend 20 years kicking Christ out of Christmas, and knocking all the spirtuality and meaning out of season, and then smugly complain that Christmas is too commercial and doesn't mean anything except profits for retail stores.
And to think that the Newsweek and the rest of the MSM claimed in 1994 that it was the "Gingrich who stole Christmas."
Of all the annoying, repulsive scumbags on the left, Press is one of the worst. I would love to wipe that smirk off of his smug face.
I have never had phone-sex with Bill O’Reilly.
I'm glad that I read further because I was about to repeat your reply. I'll troll for the proper response :p Christos Voskrese!
Thanks. And to you, (I hope this is right:) may I say: Voistinu Voskrese!
Bill Press must lurk here on FR!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
