Politicizing Christmas: The Imaginary War

Bill O'Reilly, the famous Fox News host of the O'Reilly Factor, says the "War on Christmas" is part of a "secular progressive agenda" that includes "legalization of narcotics, euthanasia, abortion at will, and gay marriage". Last year, he held an online poll asking if you would shop at a department store that doesn't greet you with "Merry Christmas," but instead "Happy Holidays". John Gibson has an entire book on the subject and made it a central part of his show, "The Big Story" on Fox News Channel. Why is FNC so obsessed with this topic?

For one thing, it's not real news. But more importantly it paints liberals as anti-tradition, makes Christians look like victims and keeps the focus away from things we should be paying attention to. What is wrong with saying "Happy Holidays" anyway? It means "Happy Holy Days", after all. The answer is absolutely nothing. Bill O'Reilly and his ilk couldn't care less, because their goal is to stir up anti-liberal sentiment whenever possible by giving the impression that liberals want to destroy American tradition.

First of all, if conservative Christian Americans cared so much about their most sacred observance it wouldn't be what it is today: a commercial holiday, where people frantically hit the department stores and malls to spend money on things that really don't matter. They stress and feel the pressure all month for just a few hours of watching their kids feverishly tear up gift wrap, smile, and move on to the next nicely wrapped package under the tree. Speaking of the Christmas tree, the most recognized symbol of the holiday, it is rooted in pagan tradition.

In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness because all year the trees seem robust and full of vitality. Romans used evergreen in their homes to celebrate life and renewal upon Winter. Celts hung mistletoe to bring themselves good luck and ward off evil. Up until the 1840s, these traditions were seen as pagan and not widely accepted in America. In 1659, it became against the law in Massachusetts to celebrate Christmas in any way except going to church. In fact there is evidence that Christ himself wasn't even born in December. The date of his birth may have been inserted in an attempt to stamp out the pagan aspects of the Winter Solstice. What happened was, inevitably, those traditions became intertwined with the new Christian beliefs. The evergreen represents everlasting life to Christians. Ironically, it meant the same thing to pagans.

Conservative pundits want you to believe Christmas is on the hit list of angry liberals, and hearing "Happy Holidays" while shopping for gifts is now an insult. There's nothing wrong with being sensitive to other religions by not exclusively recognizing one or the other, especially by a department store. Your religion is personal and corporate America only wants your money. Don't complain if you're one of the many shoppers rushing to the stores to burn up those credit cards on material possesions we all want but could live without. As for schools and other public places, there will always be a few ridiculous stories here and there, and people making a fuss. There is no "war" on Christmas and anyone who says there is has a political agenda. Christian or not, this is a time where we should forget our differences, spend time with our families and help those in need.