Posted on 12/23/2005 9:50:39 AM PST by NormsRevenge
Christmas is a wonderful, joyous day. For Christians it is uniquely important. It is the day that Christ the Lord was born. Many others who do not share our faith still rejoice in its message of peace on earth and goodwill toward men. The beauty of this day is so powerful that more than 90 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas.
So it’s hard to understand why the word “Christmas” is being abandoned. Are people so ashamed of this holy day that they don’t want the word “Christmas” spoken in public – not in shopping malls or offices or classrooms, not on television or radio? It’s even hard to find the word “Christmas” in advertisements for Christmas presents. Quietly, gradually but steadily, the word “Christmas” is disappearing from public view and is being replaced by something called the “Holiday Season,” with “Happy Holidays” taking the place of “Merry Christmas.”
Does anyone really believe Christmas is just one in a list of winter holidays? Of course not. We still say “Happy Thanksgiving,” “Happy Hanukah” and “Happy New Year.” Yet where has “Merry Christmas” gone? All of us, including the promoters of the “Holiday Season,” know quite well that this is the Christmas season. We all know that on December 25, the stores close, hundreds of millions of people go to church, more than any other time of year; and families exchange presents, come together for a festive meal, and wish each other a “Merry Christmas.”
So why are we subjected to this elaborate and silly Holiday Season charade, and who is behind it? No one, it seems. In fact, when we complain about an anti-Christmas campaign, we are told there is no such thing. We’re imagining it. The “Holiday Season” just sort of… replaced Christmas.
When that argument collapses of its own weight, we are told that other religious groups are offended by Christmas. But that’s not true. People of other faiths are not campaigning to stop us from talking about or celebrating Christmas.
They are not afraid of Christmas. In fact, as people of faith, they respect Christmas, just as Christians respect their holy days and traditions.
So, who is ashamed of the word “Christmas,” and what are they ashamed of? A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger? Or maybe angels singing, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, good will toward men?”
The vast majority of Americans find Christmas a time of joy, peace, and hope. Even many who do not share the Christian belief that Christ is the Son of God and Savior of the world admire Him as a great moral teacher. Unfortunately, many people perceive Christmas as being offensive to others. And thanks to “political correctness” in this country, it is seen as the ultimate sin to offend anyone. Since when in a country where we cherish our First Amendment right to freedom of speech is it offensive to wish each other “Merry Christmas?” By the way, the First Amendment guarantees a freedom of religion as well.
In reality, there is a small group of people who want to impose their ideas of "political correctness" on the rest of us. They do this by trying to drive religious beliefs underground. Their message is as clear as it is outrageous: You can believe whatever you wish, as long as you do it in the privacy of your own homes or inside your churches – just don’t dare do it in public.
No thanks. We’ll keep on decorating our Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, wishing “Merry Christmas,” and rejoicing at the words “Fear not: for, behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
“MERRY CHRISTMAS!”
Very funny. I don't know of many people who are really wrapped up in this "Holiday Season" thing. I get an occasional "Happy Holidays" greeting and just simply reply with "Merry Christmas."
Merry Christmas to all of you and all the best in the New Year.
I don't understand why you would blame Christians for abandoning the word Christmas. Isn't that a little much? All the Christians I know really love the Christmas season.
Maybe because a significant majority the "90%" who celebrate Christmas are just Christians in name only who hardly ever go to Church and have never read the Bible?
I disagree on at least one part. 90% DO go to Church diligently--they make sure they make it EVERY Christmas and Easter without fail.
If 76.5% of America is Christian and the "reason for the season" is being abandoned in favor of secularism, it stands to reason that Christians are at fault for allowing this to happen because (a) they are CINOs, or (b) they are allowing the vocal minority to dictate how they celebrate the season. Maybe someone (you) can think of a (c) so I'm not guilty of the "excluded middle" fallacy?
Christmas blessings to you Norm.
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CHRISTMAS
http://www.truthusa.com/CHRISTmas.html
I'm actually delighted Christmas is not being used so widely in stores, malls and advertising. The birth of Christ had absolutely nothing to do with business, and the sooner the disassociation is made, the sooner we can hope people separate the two. The next step is to get folks that hold Christmas in high religious esteem to stop participating in the retail circus that has been built around this day.
All the gifts I give this year are for disadvantaged children only, and were purchased before Thanksgiving. I refuse to take part in the commercialization of the day I recognize as a religious day of great significance.
Merry Christmas All.
Merry Christmas
Iraqi children decorate a Christmas tree during a gathering at a Roman Catholic church in central Baghdad December 23, 2005. REUTERS/Faleh Kheiber
An Iraqi woman decorates a Christmas tree in her house in central Baghdad December 23, 2005. (Faleh Kheiber/Reuters)
Beautiful! Thanks for helping us remind others what it's
all about.
Christmas ping.
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