Posted on 11/26/2006 11:10:59 PM PST by goldstategop
With one of the largest retail weekends immediately behind us, and a huge season of shopping upon us, I have a bone to pick with some Christmas retailers and reductionists.
Shop until 'Christmas' drops
The National Retail Federation, the largest retail trade association, is projecting only a 5 percent increase in Christmas season sales over last year, to the tune of $457.4 billion. That compares with last year's 6.1 percent increase.
It appears as well that the majority of that increase (61 million people) will do their shopping on the Internet (up from 51.7 million last year).
What alarms me most, however, are not any economic forecasts, but the progressive disappearance of retail Christmas terminology.
What ever happened to ''Christmas?''
In the pursuit of being politically correct, I believe we have sold out to a neutered nativity — taking no sides to the slow elimination of ''Christmas'' in retail and culture.
Just say 'Merry Christmas!'
Of course I'm not against December commerce, just the overcompensation of sensitivity that leads to Christmas compromise.
I enjoy giving and receiving Christmas gifts as much as anyone else, though I prefer those presents that build up mind, body and spirit, like the educational gifts found at Shop.WND.com or the fitness and other items found at our online store (the proceeds of which go to benefit our Kick Start program).
I want to challenge corporate management, private businesses, and the American public to keep the word ''Christmas'' in their displays and advertisements, rather than replacing it with any generic ''holiday'' language.
Don't be afraid to inform businesses who keep ''Christmas'' alive that you are appreciative and will encourage others to patronize their businesses. Notify those who do not that you will not. (That includes Internet companies — the fastest growing shopping mall.)
If we don't stop the decline of Christmas language now, imagine what the yuletide will be like in a few years: full of ''holiday'' trees, ''holiday'' gifts, ''holiday'' wreaths, ''holiday'' dinners, ''holiday'' music, and ''holiday'' church services. Come to think of it: we're almost there!
It's time to just say ''Merry Christmas!'' Or there will be nothing merry about it for our children and grandchildren.
What mom modeled and so should we
Growing up in Oklahoma, Kansas and then California, our family was pretty poor by American standards.
We had so little money that I didn't have real toys to play with, so I used clothespins and an active imagination.
The clothespins served as toy soldiers or cowboys. I made the big clothespins the bad guys and the little ones the good guys. Of course the larger they were, the harder they fell! (Imagery that would later serve my Martial Arts career.)
Despite our economic and domestic adversities, mom did the best she could with us three boys.
I can still remember her coming home exhausted from her job at the laundry and saying that we were blessed. We didn't have much, but what we did have, we sure appreciated. And what we had most was each other, and the Lord.
Even though we had a hard life, mom maintained a strong faith in God. She instilled that faith in her sons and kept us in church.
Christmas in our hearts, not under the tree
Friends, we all must model and teach children that the heart of Christmas isn't found under a tree. It's discovered in our hearts.
We must also teach them that they were called to do more than consume resources; they were gifted to be a blessing and resource to others.
No wonder the Bible says it is better to give than to receive.
So call me old-fashioned
Some might call me old-fashioned, but I still believe in a white Christmas, chestnuts roasting on an open fire, and family and friends giving thanks to God.
Most of all, I still believe what mom taught me: the heart of Christmas is found in a stable not in a store.
No business can take away that fact from any of us.
(One of the best ways you and your family can be refreshed about the true meaning of Christmas this season is by seeing the new family-friendly movie, ''The Nativity Story,'' opening in 3,000 theaters nationwide this Friday, Dec. 1. I recommend it highly!
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
Chuck Norris BUMP!
You know, I haven't heard one so-called Christmas commercial yet that didn't use either crappy music or crappy lyrics to traditional songs.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
Perfect!
Personally, I love hanging out with the family and watching old Christmas movies for the fiftieth time. Relaxing. The mania with loading up on presents can wreck the Holiday season. (Holiday = "Holy Day")
When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
When an episode of Walker Texas Ranger was aired in France, the French surrendered to Chuck Norris just to be on the safe side."
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
When Chuck Norris runs the doesn't propel himself forward, he rotates the Earth beneath his feet... :D
When Chuck Norris runs he doesn't propel himself forward, he rotates the Earth beneath his feet... :D
If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can't see Chuck Norris you may be only seconds away from death.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
Great article. I still have some of my colthespin "dragsters". The round springy things served as the wheels. Crayon "paint" and racing stipes too!
Say "Bloody Mary", "Biggie Smalls", and "Chuck Norris" three times. Mary is Bloody and Biggie is small because Chuck Norris got to them first before he roundhouse kicks you in the bathroom.
Saying Happy Holidays will earn you three roundhouse kicks. Merry Christmas will earn you a half kick, which gives you a 12.796% chance of survival.
hehe... :) Those "facts" crack me up!
I have a story to tell about Norris told to me by my girlfriend.
Norris was in Iraq a couple weeks ago, where my girlfriend's brother is currently serving in the military.
There was a threat of snipers and an ambush, and Norris was being driven through the area rather quickly. However, the troops in this young man's unit waved to him and clearly expressed they liked him.
Over the verbal displeasure of those driving him through the area, Chuck demanded the car stop. He was going to get out of the car and meet those soldiers.
And he did. He walked out of the vehicle and talked to those soldiers for a few minutes in a reportedly rather dangerous area.
That is all I really know of the story, but my gf's brother was really excited getting to meet Norris since he is from Texas and grew up watching Walker. Chuck was incredibly nice to these soldiers.
In a time when some of the people going over to Iraq probably are just trying to get headlines, Chuck clearly is going for those soldiers, and he will even stoop when advised not to do so in order to meet with them.
He is a great American.
And a great man.
And this was a great article.
"No, thank you, Chuck Norris."
Man, that still has me in stiches every time I think of that line from the movie Dodgeball....
Hey, don't use the word "crappy" at Christmas time!!
Where's your love and good cheer? :P
Chuck Norris is an authority on Christmas; he once threw a roundhouse kick that was so fast, he went back in time and witnessed the Nativity.
When Chuck Norris sends in his taxes, he sends blank forms and includes only a picture of himself, crouched and ready to attack. Chuck Norris has not had to pay taxes, ever.
Creeping political correctness extends its tentacles ever further still this year I see ....PC is banned in my house but there is definetly a growing backlash against it over here amongst the public!!
I blame the guy who mad that record "Happy holidays", what was his name, you here the song every Christmas??
Was he responsible for the start of everything PC?
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