It’s That Time of Year
You always see it in books and movies. Some young mother somewhere gives birth not realizing that the blessed event will ultimately lead to some conflict, battle, or war. Think “Harry Potter.” Think “Star Wars,” Think New Testament. But “Harry Potter” and “Star Wars” have endings…or at least will eventually. But for more the two thousand years, the birth of Jesus Christ had sparked a series of conflicts and crusades, the most recent of which: The War On Christmas. (cue heavy music)
I’m sure you’ve heard about the conservative groups that are organizing boycotts against stores that are not using the phrase “Merry Christmas” in the advertisements we have been bombarded with since the final fun-sized Three Musketeers bar hit the bottom of some kid’s bag of treats. These boycotting groups have decided that this is part of the liberals “War on Christmas” efforts to remove religion from December 25.
I didn’t realize it until it was pointed out to me, but apparently some major stores are going with the not-as-specific “Happy Holidays” and “Season’s Greetings.” Both of those phrases have been around more than my 30 years, so didn’t notice anything unusual. Besides, Christmas is a holiday, so why not have a happy one? And with people putting up trees, shopping, and other activities months ahead these days, it really constitutes a season. So why not greet a fellow shopper with it?
Besides, even though the word derives from Christ, “Merry Christmas” really isn’t any more related to religion than “Happy Holidays” and “Season’s Greetings.” All three phrases basically say “Have a good day.” Words are just sounds. What they mean is what’s important. So, what does it really matter what phrase we say. It’s what we mean. Come on, admit it. When you speak the words “Merry Christmas,” you are not saying to someone “Share with me in the joy of the birth of our Saviour, the babe they call Jesus.” You are saying, “Have a good day off work, hope you get lots of stuff, and don’t eat too much.” And when stores say “Merry Christmas,” they are saying “Have a good day, buy lots of stuff, and 20% off on fleece pullovers through Saturday.”
That’s the thing: commercialism drove the religion out of Christmas a long time ago. And liberals and conservatives both helped it happen. If someone wants to boycott a store because the Christ out of Christmas, they don’t need to target Target, they need to boycott all stores. Even the ones that still use “Merry Christmas.” If these boycotters were not out there with all the rest of us ringing in the season at the register, they wouldn’t know (or care) that its a “Holiday” sale.
Yes, I realize that the tradition of giving gifts comes from the offerings brought by the Three Kings to the Christ child, but those guys didn’t go out and buy stuff. They gave up things that were their own possessions. Maybe those guys were not so wise after all. If they had idea where it was going to lead. they would have just stopped by the stable and said, “Have a good day.” What was a baby going to do with gold, frankincense, and myrrh anyway? If the baby Jesus wanting anything that night, it was to lock on mother’s tit and nourish himself. (And don’t try to tell me that the Virgin Mary didn’t breast feed. It was the year 0001, for Christ’s sake.)
And I doubt that they were expected to come back each year with something even better. “Yes, the myrrh was nice, Balthazar, but this year think about Polo.” Was a pre-teen Jesus pouring through the JCPenecostal catalog making a list for “Santa?” Don’t think so. He wasn’t waiting in line at Macy’s for a Miracle on 34th street. His momma had already topped everybody in the miracle department. Do you think Joseph was staying up late cursing as he tried to assemble a toy chariot without an Allen wrench and from instructions printed in Chinese?
Now before you think i’m just beating up on the boycotters, let me make it clear that the type of people who have made stores fear lawsuits enough to remove “Merry Christmas” from their displays need to freakin’ relax. Instead, there is the attitude that “Nobody’s gonna tell me to have a Christmas. Merry or otherwise.”
Are there people honestly concerned that a simple phrase is being used as a tool to convert them or lessen the importance of their own late year holidays? No one’s beliefs, if they have any strength at all, are going to be effected or disenfranchised by a clerk spouting an overly cheery “Merry Christmas” after they have asked for ninth time “You finding everything okay?” No one is taking anything away from you.
The same goes if anybody says to you Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Glad Tidings, Pleasant Solstice, or whatever. Just smile, return the sentiment, have a good day, and relax. There is no war on your beliefs. Now, if you have a couple of elves roll up to your door on bicycles and introduce themselves as Brother Snowball and Brother Jingleshanks, then you might have reason for concern.
December 11th, 2005 at 2:41 am
I find it ridiculous the emails and whole religious bullshit regarding christianity and christmas but as always, your spin makes me appreciate the humor in it all. I mean, really…JCPentecostal catalog???- nearly pissed my red felt underwear with fluffy white cotton waistline.
I admit in my day (and middle class upbringing) I couldn’t wait for the Sears Catalog but these days, the spirit of receiving is more sexual in nature.
December 11th, 2005 at 3:39 am
Only thing about stores I don’t like is that, they tend to jump the gun alittle. What I mean by that is, they seem to just jump right over Thanksgiving right into Christmas. All the decorations and music. It’s like some holidays don’t even exist anymore or are less important. Won’t be long we’ll be having “Holiday” sales in JUNE.
December 11th, 2005 at 6:26 am
Very poignant and well said. We seem to be a society of persons who just want to be offended all the time and we’ll find any excuse to remain so rather than putting our efforts towards cutting each other some slack now and then. When really, that’s what we need most often. And why don’t we give frankincense and myrrh anymore? Sure, gold hasn’t ever fallen out of favor, but why not the other two? I’ve had frankincense on my Christmas list for years and I’ve never gotten one bag of it.
December 11th, 2005 at 6:54 am
Yep, the “conservatives” are hypocrites. If anything, they should be offended if a store DOES use the term “Merry Christmas”. The store doesn’t give a crap about the birth of Christ, it’s about money. And they’d only be blasphemous for saying “Merry Christmas” for the wrong reasons. True Christians should be offended by the holiday as it exists today; commercialism, and worshipping false idols (Santa and pagan trees).
If you think Christmas is bad, next Easter, walk down the Easter aisle at the “family values” Wal-Mart. ZERO reference to the death/re-birth of Christ. It’s all bunnies, eggs, duckies, and candy.
I’ve never understood the anti-”happy holidays” thing. I always viewed it not as anti-Christmas, but people trying to encompass all beliefs. But I guess this country is no longer about being a melting pot, but about forcing one belief.
December 11th, 2005 at 7:18 am
I agree with Paul’s last sentence. This country, no, this WORLD is full of humans who are not willing to Live and Let Live. So many of these humans have decided that the rest of us must live by their rules and are not allowed to use our own minds. They all know what’s best for us.
Good post and well said Tony.
December 11th, 2005 at 5:39 pm
Ok, my post sounded like a rant, so I wanted to clairify something. I’m an agnostic, but I acually support the whole “put the Chist back in Christmas” thing.
But do it for the RIGHT reasons (religion not commercialism, and not to extort good behavior from children), and do it wholly (Santa and Christmas Trees have nothing to do with Christ). It’s ironic the same Christians who want the term Merry Christmas, have no problem with the worshiping of Santa.
I’ve actually think that we should celebrate “The Holidays” with Santa and trees. Winter is depressing, and humans need the levity. Why not keep it seperate from religion. But also celebrate “Christmas”, as a Christ worshipping holiday, seperately.
December 11th, 2005 at 8:31 pm
No, no, no…Religious hypocrisy has been the norm for centuries. What we are experiencing now is pure, unadulterated FEAR. That’s right, my friends. FEAR. As everyone has mentioned, the commercialization of Christmas has been a long-term issue for which Christians turned their heads. They don’t really worry how one celebrates the season. What they are more worried about is status, and the trend from the greeting “Merry Christmas” to more generic salutations is evidence of that fact. The Christian response to the Ten Commandments postings in public buildings, as well as the inclusion of Intelligent Design in science classrooms are further knee-jerk reactions to this fear.
Here’s an appropriate analogy: Take any nationally-recognized NCAA Division I collegiate sports program with a rich tradition of “W”s. Tennessee football, for example. Vols fans don’t like to lose. They (we) almost expect a winning season, and a permanent position in the AP top 25 poll. A losing season here and there hurts fans, but ADs, coaches, players, and university administration recognize the financial implications of a losing record. Imagine a strong sports program decline over the course of several years, and watch the panic ensue. Recruiting is impossible. Coaches break NCAA Division I regulations as a last-ditch effort to keep their jobs. The fan-base wavers. Money is lost.
Christians have enjoyed a centuries-long tenure as the #1 nationally-ranked religion in America. Public policy and socially-acceptable behaviors have traditionally catered to the design of Christianity. In recent years, however, the tide has begun to change, and Christians are in a state of panic.
December 11th, 2005 at 8:53 pm
Nice blog. I love it. Congratulations. Big hug.
December 12th, 2005 at 12:56 am
As a retail worker, I choose not to wish my customers anything special during this time of the year because I frankly object to the wanton commercialism! The intercom music selection converted to holiday music the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Ridiculous! And yet if someone wishes me a “Merry Christmas,” I respond in kind, “Thanks, the same to you!”. I even had a customer wish me a “Happy Hannukah.” I cordially thanked him for that, too (they get gifts all week!).
December 12th, 2005 at 1:56 pm
Actually, I’m all about wanton commercialism,as long as it’s all for me. I love getting gifts. So if anyone wants to send me gifts of any kind, feel free.
As for myself, I’m taking my Xmas bonus money and going over to Borders. I’m going to load up on copies of Lord Of The Rings and Curious George and Harry Potter and The Narnia Books and I’m going to buy them all and take them over to the foster childrens donation center.Christmas is for kids. I like to keep it that way.
oh..and all those Bill O’reilly freaks who are all in a twist over Christmas being exclusively for Christians, well…they can bite me.
December 13th, 2005 at 6:54 am
My God, I love the banner with the snow!!
Paul
December 13th, 2005 at 10:36 am
Hey LT,
I love the fleece pullovers! hehe
Well, put however there are some of us that just love to deal with the pushing and shoving. I consider it a spectator sport. I find a spot in a high traffic area at the local mall, park there with a latte and just watch the people run by.
December 13th, 2005 at 8:52 pm
I have a friend here at work - She is a Jehovah’s Witness - they do not celebrate Christmas - I asked her about it
She said -
1. Christ’s birth should not be about the gifts that you might get
2. Christ wasn’t born in December anyway.
That said - I still love Christmas and buy my Cowboy and many presents as I can..
but before we open any presents - we make about 150 bag lunches, take coats, raincoats & sleeping bags down to the homeless shelters and give them out - last year we started adding small presents for the little kids we find there - after that we come home and open the presents we have bought for each other - I think it makes you appreciate what you have more
December 13th, 2005 at 8:52 pm
I have a friend here at work - She is a Jehovah’s Witness - they do not celebrate Christmas - I asked her about it
She said -
1. Christ’s birth should not be about the gifts that you might get
2. Christ wasn’t born in December anyway.
That said - I still love Christmas and buy my Cowboy as many presents as I can..
but before we open any presents - we make about 150 bag lunches, take coats, raincoats & sleeping bags down to the homeless shelters and give them out - last year we started adding small presents for the little kids we find there - after that we come home and open the presents we have bought for each other - I think it makes you appreciate what you have more
December 13th, 2005 at 8:57 pm
I think they’re afraid of things starting off as a slow leak. Prayer was taken out of schools and now things have deteriorated to need metal detectors in schools and kids killing each other in massacres. Their argument is that anything that excludes God isn’t great in the long run. I know it’s a converted pagan holiday, but Jesus is the reason for the season as we’ve been celebrating it for a long time.
December 15th, 2005 at 3:29 pm
Ugh… I am so embarrassed to have been raised a Christian. The battles over “Put the Christ Back in Christmas,” “Jesus is the Reason for the Season,” etc., increasingly nauseate me. It’s absurd that people who claim to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ (The Prince of PEACE) are bickering, arguing and FIGHTING over what phrase to use for the holidays!
But these days, that shouldn’t surprise anyone, given that fundementalist Christians nationwide have violated their non-profit status and banded together in the political realm to force their beliefs upon and remove the rights of anyone who doesn’t fit neatly inside their definition of morality and “American.” They insist that America is a “Christian” country, as established by our founders, and therefore are afforded the right to impose such bigotry. But what they forget is that this country was partially founded for the purpose of religious FREEDOM. And in the spirit of religious freedom, if there are multiple religious (or secular) holidays within the Christmas timeframe, we should be as respectful of others’ celebrations as we would hope others would be of ours.
Hmm… sounds like the Golden Rule to me… which is fundementally much more “Christian” than fighting and seeking changes in legislation.
November 20th, 2006 at 2:33 pm
Hey.
I think that you need to chill. I feel the same way about it, but you seem to be taking it a little over the top.
Mandy