The Most Politically Incorrect Phrase
By Adam Graham (12/19/03)
Merry Christmas.
I said it. No, not Happy Holidays, not seasons greetings, but Merry Christmas. I’m not talking about Kwanzaa and Hanukkah is over already, I’m talking about Christmas, the holiday marking the birth of Jesus Christ.
There have been two great forces combining to attack Christmas: secularization and commercialization. First, some people seem to believe that Christmas itself is offensive The idea of honoring the fact that Jesus Christ was born is such an offensive notion that causes the PC police hissy fits.
The question of what to do about this is a source of agitation. Getting rid of Christmas is not even plausible. Americans are very traditional people and the idea of altering one of our greatest traditions would put people up in arms. Plus, the tradition itself has huge implications for the economy. Though they can’t get rid of it, they can devalue it with cute pet terms:
The favorite is the ever generic “Holiday.” It’s the “Holiday Shopping Season.” Look on Television, there’s a “Holiday Special.” Of course the “Holiday” decorations generally do not include Menorahs or the Seven Guiding principles of Kwanzaa. It should also be that when the symbols of other traditions are used they are given their proper name. While I’ve seen a “Holiday Tree”, I’ve yet to see a Menorah labeled a “Holiday Candleholder.”
I’m not offended by the Menorah or the principles of Kwanzaa. I don’t need to force other people to rename their traditions to suit me. The idea that saying, “Merry Christmas” is insensitive is itself offensive. The idea that 75% of the people in the country have to pretend that we’re all celebrating some generic holiday in order to appease hypersensitive liberals is absurd.
Yet, it happens every day. People are admonished, “Don’t say Merry Christmas.” Don’t call it a “Christmas Tree.” The left mocked Congress’ decision to rename French fries as freedom fries, but we’re having Holiday Trees, Holiday Parties, etc. because they have a problem with the name of Christ.
I would also ask that people stop calling it Xmas. This is not about the birth of Malcolm X, nor are those who are using it doing anything other than trying to hide what Christmas is all about.
Those who are not busy sucking the true meaning out of Christmas are trying to make a profit on it. Radio ads use the advent as a cheap gimmick with the wise men and Joseph joining marketable Christmas characters such as Santa and Rudolph.
Others misappropriate the sacred sayings about the Savior for their own products. One Cell Phone salesman commented on the latest cell phone deal adding, “Talk about glad tidings of great joy.” J.C. Penney’s proclaimed “Joy to the World” because their shoe sale had come. They may have thought that Jesus came to save our soles, but I don’t appreciate the humor. And numerous times companies have used “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” to describe the “Comfort and Joy” of the latest mattress.
It’s far past time that Christians in America take back Christmas. It is not something to be ashamed of or hidden. It is a joyous occasion that all are welcome to participate in as we celebrate Christ’s birth. It is an occasion that people of all faiths can feel free to respectfully celebrate whether they agree with Jesus’ spectacular claims or not as Christianity has made life in this world far more tolerable than it was before Jesus came.
Since the birth of Jesus, we’ve seen the end of human sacrifice, amazing growth in the arts and sciences through men of religious faith like Sir Isaac Newton, and men having the courage through faith to stand up to tyrants and spread freedom. The occasion that began the process of turning the world upside down is something to celebrate. It’s even more important than the latest shoe sale.
So I’ll say once more: Merry Christmas to one and all.
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