MERRY CHRISTMAS!

For those of us that still believe Christmas is the celebration of Christ’s birth, the shift from “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Holidays” is unsettling.   Even though 99% of Americans celebrate Christmas according to a 2008 Gallup poll and both federal and state laws name the holiday on December 25th as Christmas, people have somehow fallen into the notion that saying “Happy Holidays” is the right thing to do.  Why?  After all, the vast majority of Americans are Christians and all of the non-Christian people I’ve talked to say they aren’t offended at all.  In fact, one of my Jewish friends told me that he would be really offended if someone called the Hanukkah menorah a Holiday menorah and he didn’t understand why Christians would do this to themselves.
In addition, NO court has ever ruled that the Constitution demands school officials to censor Christmas carols, eliminate all references to Christmas, or silence those who celebrate Christmas.  Instead, courts have consistently held that students may sing religious Christmas carols during school activities such as choir and Christmas programs, teachers and students may say “Merry Christmas”, schools can name their break “Christmas vacation”, and schools are not required to recognize all other religious holidays just because they recognize Christmas.   It is also important to note, that during Christmas season and throughout the year, school officials must permit students to convey religious sentiments through their school assignments, selection of reading materials, and on their clothing.
The future of the Christmas celebration is in your hands.  Are you going to let it be hijacked by a small group of people trying to destroy it or are you going to stand up for what you believe in?  I, for one, am going to proudly continue to say “Merry Christmas” and I encourage you to do the same.
From my family to yours…May you and your family have a very Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!