Enough of the Grinches Already

The attack on Christmas continues and I read in the news this morning that the Rhode Island governor has erected a "holiday tree" in place of a Christmas tree. You can read the news article here.

Just yesterday, I received a comic strip from my sister-in-law that showed three little boys sitting outside of the Principal's Office. The first said, "I said the 'Sh' word" and the second boy said, "Oh yeah, well I said the 'F' word" and the third little boy said, "All I said was 'Merry Christmas'

1 Peter 4:12-13:

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share in the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing…."

(Note: I wrote this Editorial for our local newspaper yesterday and in light of the Rhode Island governor's decision to erect a 'holiday tree' this year in lieu of a Christmas tree, the editorial seems more pertinent than ever and I will share it with you.)

A few years ago, CBS Sunday Morning commentator Ben Stein wrote a commentary about saying 'Merry Christmas' and I have to echo his sentiments here today.

Stein wrote, "I am Jewish and it does not bother me in the least when people call those beautifully lit up evergreen trees the Christmas trees. That's what they are, they are Christmas trees not holiday trees."

He went on to say that it didn't bother him in the least if people said, "Merry Christmas" to him either. Stein said that it showed that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating a wonderful time of year.

It was what he said at the end of the commentary that really struck me.

"I don't like getting pushed around for being Jewish anymore than Christians like getting pushed around for being Christian. I don't know where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country because I cannot find that anywhere in the Constitution and I am sick of it being shoved down my throat."

I couldn't have said it any better myself.

America has become a country where Jews and Christians are unable to celebrate our holidays without taking a lot of bunk over being joyful and joy-filled. It appears that anyone who has a spiritual foundation is slammed for living out their faith. The godless among us are the most vocal.

There isn't any flack over wishing someone a Happy Valentine's Day or a Happy St. Patrick's Day yet if you wish someone a Merry Christmas, you are suddenly the target of the politically correct police. Enough of this foolishness already, the holidays have a name and if you choose to use it, than we wish all of our Jewish readers a very Happy Hanukkah.

To the rest of you, no matter what language you speak, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noel, Kala Christouyenna, Frohliche Weihnachten or something else, I wish you a Merry Christmas.

1 Peter 4:12-13:

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share in the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing…."