Here & There Column 12-6-11

The Battle To Save "Merry Christmas"

The last time we looked I believe that Christmas is a national holiday but the way things have been going the last several years you never know when someone or some organization will petition our government to remove this date as a national holiday.
We have seen it time and again that some in the commercial market have retailers avoiding any mention of Christmas and even some merchants have banned their employees from using the greeting "Merry Christmas."
There has been proof beyond any doubt that a number of organizations have declared war on any expression of the Christian faith.
Each year communities announce their tree lighting events during the month of December and with terminology they use they are trying to be "politically correct" instead of displaying the real meaning of Christmas for Christians....which of course is the Nativity scene.
We certainly do not have anything against the Christmas tree and lighting ceremonies that include this tree and the lighting of the Menorah which is a major part of the Jewish Hanukkah holidays.
One of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith is the menorah and this religious symbol is a symbol of the nation of Israel and their mission to be "a light unto the nations," (Isaiah 42.6. But, again why do we not see The Nativity Scene included in our many December ceremonies. The Nativity Scene displaying the birth of Jesus Christ is the true symbol for Christians during the Christmas season.
It is wrong for the community tree lighting ceremonies to censor this Christian symbol as a part of what is called "insensitive to the many people of different faiths."
As you can tell from the short list of common December traditions, we live in a greatly diverse country, so checkered with individuality that anyone can celebrate what they want, where they want and how they want to so let's get on with the untangling of the lights, trimming of the Christmas tree, lighting the kinara, spinning of the dreidel and planning of our New Year Resolutions.
Statistics say that about 96 percent of Americans said in 2005 that they celebrate Christmas while 80 percent described themselves as Christian.......so its more then politically correct to say "Merry Christmas."
Christmas in December is important for this month because the holiday more so than any other drives business and manufacturing for millions of corporations around the world.
For those who do not celebrate Christmas it is important to note that the holidays of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa also play leading roles during the month of December so keeping in mind these precious holidays there is no harm in saying "Happy Holidays" because there is nothing incorrect about the short, good-natured greetings.
We are proud to say "Merry Christmas" and believe its time to repair the damage that has been done by groups and organizations who have tried to take "Christ" out of Christmas.
Have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, a Joyful Kwanzaa and a Safe and Healthy New Year.