The Grinch steals Christmas....
Last evening I watched a small portion of the ABC news while catching a snack before going to Jack's fifth grade Christmas play. The segment was one of a multi-part series that they are apparently running to explain to us peons the difference between the "Blue" and the "Red" states. Last night's topic was religion in public places and how this affected Christmas. We were told that some people are offended by the mention of God and/or Christ in public displays of the Christmas season. We were shown a high school band in Indiana that could not play standard Christmas carols, even an instrumental version, as part of their holiday concert because Christ or God was mentioned in the songs. Another elementary school choir somewhere in the Northeast had to substitute "Happy Holidays" into each and every song that should have a reference to Merry Christmas. We were taken to malls and other public buildings where heated debate was ongoing concerning the installation of Merry Christmas signs and banners. Peter Jennings was good enough to tell us that many people disagree and think that it's OK to mention Christmas during the Christmas season.
Thanks Peter, but here's the take from Bedford Drive, Midland Texas. Christmas is a Christian holiday, always has been. If you don't like the mention of Christmas or if Christ or God offends you.....we'll then don't celebrate Christmas. Don't put up a Christmas tree which symbolizes the renewal of life and don't give presents which reminds us of the gifts of the Magi. Or better yet, get your own stinkin' holiday to celebrate the way you like. The majority, the vast majority, of Americans are Christians or at least come from the Christian ethic. The majority rules and we celebrate Christmas, not "happy holidays".
And by the way, Jack was stunning in his acting debut starring as the TV anchor who was reporting the story of the birth of Christ. And you know at the St. Ann's School we get to say Merry Christmas, we get to sing the standard carols completely unedited and the play got to actually mention God!
So Merry Christmas....or Happy Kwanza.
Last evening I watched a small portion of the ABC news while catching a snack before going to Jack's fifth grade Christmas play. The segment was one of a multi-part series that they are apparently running to explain to us peons the difference between the "Blue" and the "Red" states. Last night's topic was religion in public places and how this affected Christmas. We were told that some people are offended by the mention of God and/or Christ in public displays of the Christmas season. We were shown a high school band in Indiana that could not play standard Christmas carols, even an instrumental version, as part of their holiday concert because Christ or God was mentioned in the songs. Another elementary school choir somewhere in the Northeast had to substitute "Happy Holidays" into each and every song that should have a reference to Merry Christmas. We were taken to malls and other public buildings where heated debate was ongoing concerning the installation of Merry Christmas signs and banners. Peter Jennings was good enough to tell us that many people disagree and think that it's OK to mention Christmas during the Christmas season.
Thanks Peter, but here's the take from Bedford Drive, Midland Texas. Christmas is a Christian holiday, always has been. If you don't like the mention of Christmas or if Christ or God offends you.....we'll then don't celebrate Christmas. Don't put up a Christmas tree which symbolizes the renewal of life and don't give presents which reminds us of the gifts of the Magi. Or better yet, get your own stinkin' holiday to celebrate the way you like. The majority, the vast majority, of Americans are Christians or at least come from the Christian ethic. The majority rules and we celebrate Christmas, not "happy holidays".
And by the way, Jack was stunning in his acting debut starring as the TV anchor who was reporting the story of the birth of Christ. And you know at the St. Ann's School we get to say Merry Christmas, we get to sing the standard carols completely unedited and the play got to actually mention God!
So Merry Christmas....or Happy Kwanza.
