Taking Christ out of Christmas

[JanetElaine]

To respond to your link, the "season" of "Season's Greetings" is the season of winter holidays in which we now find ourselves. Such holidays include Christmas (not just Dec. 25, but also other days celebrated as Christmas in other countries, days that extend into January), Chanukah and Ramadan, but also New Year's Eve, Boxing Day (for our British and Canadian friends). The phrase predates any sort of political correctness; when I was a kid, it was used by Christians to refer to the holiday period from Christmas Eve (or even earlier) through New Year's Day.

This is exactly why I don't mind saying 'happy holidays' (I never say 'season's greetings', but only because that sounds so middle-ages, LOL). Whenever I mean just Christmas, I say 'Merry Christmas'. I don't even really give it too much thought though. Whatever I say, it's meant well, and if you want to skip that part and don't like what I said and be all grumpy about it, then that's for you to deal with.

I used to have muslem neighbors and we wished eachother 'Merry Christmas' both in person and with cards (I always got theirs first :blushing: ), and I have a Hindu friend who goes out of her way to find cards that just say 'Happy New Year'. It's all good with me. People aren't obligated to wish me anything, so if they do, no matter how they do it or which words they use, I appreciate their thinking of me.

 

[Marthatex]

I'm probably phrasing it poorly. I wondering why Christians (and those of us who still hold many Christian values) don't want to use the kindest, most considerate greeting possible. (Not that they should be required to do so, but why don't they want to do so?)
Isn't that a large part of what Christmas is about?

Well said.

I'm alot more bothered by the emphasis on commercialism and the sometimes rude hustle and bustle as we try frantically to find the best bargains and just the right present for everyone, than I am about what type of greeting I give.

Last week I went to hear a beautiful choral group singing variations of different Christmas Carols and some classical Yule music. It was very inspiring.

What would Jesus want? Keep it simple; that's what I think.

 

[Nova]

This is exactly why I don't mind saying 'happy holidays' (I never say 'season's greetings', but only because that sounds so middle-ages, LOL). Whenever I mean just Christmas, I say 'Merry Christmas'. I don't even really give it too much thought though. Whatever I say, it's meant well, and if you want to skip that part and don't like what I said and be all grumpy about it, then that's for you to deal with.

I used to have muslem neighbors and we wished eachother 'Merry Christmas' both in person and with cards (I always got theirs first :blushing: ), and I have a Hindu friend who goes out of her way to find cards that just say 'Happy New Year'. It's all good with me. People aren't obligated to wish me anything, so if they do, no matter how they do it or which words they use, I appreciate their thinking of me.

Nice post, Janet, and great point about neighbors and friends. I have various customs with people I know well. (Including one Jewish friend with whom I had an argument on this subject nearly 30 years ago. Every Christmas morning since, I have tracked her down wherever she is and phoned her to wish her a Merry Christmas. Of course, she knows it's our "thing" and takes no offense.)

As I said somewhere above, the only real issue to me is how do I want to greet strangers and casual acquaintances (those whose religious preferences I don't know).

 

[GonzoReiter]

This is exactly why I don't mind saying 'happy holidays' (I never say 'season's greetings', but only because that sounds so middle-ages, LOL). Whenever I mean just Christmas, I say 'Merry Christmas'. I don't even really give it too much thought though. Whatever I say, it's meant well, and if you want to skip that part and don't like what I said and be all grumpy about it, then that's for you to deal with.

I'm not overly sentimental by nature but I do have a soft spot for the Christmasy "peace on earth, good will towards men" sentiment ... we certainly need more of that everywhere. But the "War on Christmas" baloney points in the other direction ... "Let's not feel charitable. Let's feel aggrieved!"

One clear effect of the "War on Christmas" nonsense was, and is, to further aggravate the already overblown sense of victimization on the part of those who are interpellated and hence influenced by some modern media.

 

[reb]

once again...

winter holidays have been happening in just about every culture since the dawn of civilization, and long before christianity was shoved down peoples' throats by the all-powerful religious leaders. the winter holiday we know of as 'christmas' was a pagan winter holiday LONG before christians took it and christianized it. it was just another way for them to get on the good side of the masses.

so there is plenty of room for ALL aspects of this holiday (which means different things to different people).. the pagan/ secular one, the christian one, the jewish one, etc... and OK, if blacks want to separate themselves and have their OWN exclusive 'black folks only' holiday, then there's kwaanza too...

however i do agree that the politically-correct thing gets a bit tiresome... it seems everyone today is offended by SOMETHING that someone does or doesn't do...! and it does seem like the country used to be so much more unified.... and now we seem to be splintering apart. so.. in some ways it's good that everyone can do their thing. on the other hand,, what happened to the great 'melting pot'....???

btw.. i do say 'X-mas' because i'm not a christian and it sounds secular..... although the christians out there oughtta know that 'X' IS an old symbol for jesus christ.

 

[Nova]

...if blacks want to separate themselves and have their OWN exclusive 'black folks only' holiday, then there's kwaanza too...

Whites and others aren't excluded from Kwanzaa, if they want to celebrate it.

The African Americans I know who celebrate it, do so in addition to Christmas. It's based in African cultural traditions that may seem more relevant to people whose African ancestors had no knowledge of Scandinavian reindeer, snow and sleighs.

As everyone knows, I should think, the vast majority of African Americans are devout Christians and honor the birth of Christ.

It all makes perfect sense to me.

 

[Nova]

I'm not overly sentimental by nature but I do have a soft spot for the Christmasy "peace on earth, good will towards men" sentiment ... we certainly need more of that everywhere. But the "War on Christmas" baloney points in the other direction ... "Let's not feel charitable. Let's feel aggrieved!"

One clear effect of the "War on Christmas" nonsense was, and is, to further aggravate the already overblown sense of victimization on the part of those who are interpellated and hence influenced by some modern media.

Perhaps we need a new Christmas story that celebrates "victimization" as the new Spirit of Christmas. Here's a brief synopsis:

Mary sues on the ground that the temporary housing she was given violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. Instead of shepherds, PETA reps storm the stable to liberate the sheep from the unfair treatment the poor beasts received in ancient Palestine. As for the angels, they are obviously transgendered and have any number of grievances on that score. The magi? Cross-dressers fleeing persecution in their homeland. Or the founders of a new Men's Group that promotes wandering in all-male bands to allow its members to reconnect with traditional masculinity outside the sissifying influence of mothers and wives.

Joseph? Well, he goes on Maury Povich for a DNA test. And we all know how that turns out...

 

[csds703]

Perhaps we need a new Christmas story that celebrates "victimization" as the new Spirit of Christmas. Here's a brief synopsis:

Mary sues on the ground that the temporary housing she was given violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. Instead of shepherds, PETA reps storm the stable to liberate the sheep from the unfair treatment the poor beasts received in ancient Palestine. As for the angels, they are obviously transgendered and have any number of grievances on that score. The magi? Cross-dressers fleeing persecution in their homeland. Or the founders of a new Men's Group that promotes wandering in all-male bands to allow its members to reconnect with traditional masculinity outside the sissifying influence of mothers and wives.

Joseph? Well, he goes on Maury Povich for a DNA test. And we all know how that turns out...

The whole thing made me laugh, but that last line just cracked me up.

 

[txsvicki]

Bumping this up because I agree with you and have known this for years now and feel that it is horribly pagan. Actually, I didn't celebrate the holidays for awhile and wouldn't now except for kids that aren't mine expect presents, but I even worry about doing that on the one certain day. Christmas has absolutely no religious meaning at all to me. I'll probably get flamed, but this is my opinion.

Actually, some Christians have realized that Christmas is truly a pagan holiday in disguise and want to leave Christ out of the mess that has become "Christmas". It really is a big ruse...this whole thing about this season being about Christianity's golden child. It was orginally Yule, the time for winter solstice and celebration to usher in the longer days ahead...but again, the "heathens" had to convert.


This church know it's history. See link: http://users.aol.com/libcfl/xmas.htm



On another note..... here is a little history on why it is OK to use "X" instead of "Christ" for Christmas.

X-as-chi was associated with Christ long before X-as-cross could be, since the cross as a Christian symbol developed later. (The Greek letter Chi Χ stood for "Christ" in the ancient Greek acrostic ΙΧΘΥΣ ichthys.)
While some see the spelling of Christmas as Xmas a threat, others see it as a way to honor the martyrs.

Yes, X is for "Chi"--the first letter of Christ's name in Greek and an accepted symbol for Christ for hundreds of years.

What's even more depressing is that all of the people who get so uptight about the use of X (and who are likely therefore Christian) are the ones who got it completely wrong.

What does that say about the modern Christian's knowledge about the history of their own faith?

Geesh! I'm not even a Christian and I know this! What are they teaching y'all in church?!


ETA: I still wish Merry Christmas to everyone I see because it just doesn't hold the same magic when I say anything else. Must be because of memories from my childhood when everyone wished a Merry Christmas! I miss those days.....

 

[Glow]

Things i have learned today
change is okay...LOL

Once again, I applaud your open mindedness. Many of us could learn from you.

 

[philamena]

This happened near me last night:
http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=7532225

 

[southcitymom]

I know there's silliness everywhere but I don't think anything is being removed from the Christmas season. I was saying Happy Holidays and/or Season's Greetings and/or Merry Christmas 35 years ago - same as today. Big deal.

My child goes to a public school where they did Christmas stuff (Christmas trees, reindeers, Santa, caroling around the neighborhood singing religious and non-religious songs, etc...etc..) for most of December. Hannakah and Kwanza also got some attention and that's fine too.

This season is what we make it and feel it to be in our hearts. I don't feel like anyone is trying to dilute it for me - heck, they couldn't dilute it for me if they did try! I don't care how someone greets me in a store or in a card - it's nice that they're greeting me at all. I just love Christmas and am glad that it's here!

 

[Indy Gal]

Thanks to all the new posters for your comments, you really are teaching me something!!

 

[IrishMist]

I'm curious...

Has anyone here personally experienced an offended reaction when wishing someone else "Merry Christmas"?

It occurs to me that in all my life, I have never even come close to seeing anyone offended by being wished a Merry Christmas! I've read about the "PC Idiots." I've heard about the "deep offense" taken by being the recipient of this wish, but I have never witnessed it myself.

What about you all?

 

[Indy Gal]

I dont think I ever have IM.

 

[Maral]

I'm curious...

Has anyone here personally experienced an offended reaction when wishing someone else "Merry Christmas"?

It occurs to me that in all my life, I have never even come close to seeing anyone offended by being wished a Merry Christmas! I've read about the "PC Idiots." I've heard about the "deep offense" taken by being the recipient of this wish, but I have never witnessed it myself.

What about you all?

IrishMist, I came back to this thread to ask the very same question. I guess it's true about what they say about "great minds......", lol.

 

[IrishMist]

IrishMist, I came back to this thread to ask the very same question. I guess it's true about what they say about "great minds......", lol.

Isn't it weird when that happens??

It's funny. We've had this discussion before on WS, (at least some variation of it), but I'm not sure what made the question pop into my head this time.

Have you ever witnessed that reaction, Maral?

 

[southcitymom]

Isn't it weird when that happens??

It's funny. We've had this discussion before on WS, (at least some variation of it), but I'm not sure what made the question pop into my head this time.

Have you ever witnessed that reaction, Maral?

Hell no, I've never witnessed this reaction - and though I'm sure it exists, I don't think it exists much!

My youngest son's school has a number of Muslim, Jewish and AA families I'm friendly with and I gave Christmas cards to all their kids and have said Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays (honestly, I just don't censor myself - I say whatever is on my tongue) to them in passing and they're always lovely! One of the Muslim Moms said - "We don't celebrate Christmas of course, but we love having the time off with family and thanks for the cookies!"

All this hullabaloo is a tempest in a teapot. Anyone who reacts "poorly" to Merry Christmas is just a Scrooge - and Scrooges have been around since Christmas itself.

On a personal note - Hey Irish! I hope you're having a restful weekend! :blowkiss:

 

[IrishMist]

Hell no, I've never witnessed this reaction - and though I'm sure it exists, I don't think it exists much!

My youngest son's school has a number of Muslim, Jewish and AA families I'm friendly with and I gave Christmas cards to all their kids and have said Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays (honestly, I just don't censor myself - I say whatever is on my tongue) to them in passing and they're always lovely! One of the Muslim Moms said - "We don't celebrate Christmas of course, but we love having the time off with family and thanks for the cookies!"

All this hullabaloo is a tempest in a teapot. Anyone who reacts "poorly" to Merry Christmas is just a Scrooge - and Scrooges have been around since Christmas itself.

On a personal note - Hey Irish! I hope you're having a restful weekend! :blowkiss:

Hi SCM! So far, so good!
Love, IrishMist <--- who is still in her jammies at 10:45 am! :woohoo: :woohoo:

 

[Maral]

Isn't it weird when that happens??

It's funny. We've had this discussion before on WS, (at least some variation of it), but I'm not sure what made the question pop into my head this time.

Have you ever witnessed that reaction, Maral?

No, I never have. But I have witnessed the opposite side. Just a few days ago, I witnessed a lady tell a salesclerk who wished her "Happy Holidays" that she was a Christian that celebrated Christmas and if she could not say Merry Christmas to her then she should just keep her mouth shut. I honestly couldn't believe what I was hearing.