OK, allow me to stand on my soapbox for a bit. Wow, I think that elevates me to at least 5’6; so THIS is how the other half lives!!
It’s not very often that I take a public stand on something controversial but I think it is absolutely ridiculous the lengths people are going to bash the Christmas thing. It’s like everyone is becoming so obsessed about not offending others that we’re also not allowing people to freely express themselves. Though I’m not a fan of him, Bill O’Reilly said it best during a guest spot on the Today Show, “This is insane. It’s CHRISTMAS. It’s a FEDERAL HOLIDAY. U.S. Grant signed it into Law. We can say ‘Christmas.’”
One of the great things about this country is having the right to choose. Should Christmas be forced upon everyone? Of course not! I have good friends who are of every religious affiliation. Would I be offended if my Jewish friend sent me a “Happy Hanukkah” card even though I’m Christian? Certainly not! And that is why I chose to put “Merry Christmas” on my mailings this year. This is how I choose to celebrate the season.
What we need is tolerance. Let’s face it. Barely anyone even recognizes it as a religious holiday anymore. Santa has taken over any Christian symbol out there.
Humorous case in point: the children at church were practicing last week for a little nativity pageant they’re performing for our Christmas party on Friday. They were learning a new song, “When Joseph Went to Bethlehem” and the chorister was reviewing the words with them. They were filling in the blanks about how Joseph put his tools away in his shop in preparation for his journey and then how he urged the donkey forward with Mary on his back.
When it came time to fill in the words that Joseph carried bread and goat cheese in a little ______ sack, the adults erupted into laughter. Instead of saying “linen,” the kids innocently sang “In a little Santa sack.”
How about we all just have a sense of humor and foster a community and love and peace this holiday season, no matter what our religious and/or non-religious affiliation?!!!
I'm a Canadian-born mom of two, former Denver Post columnist, family travel writer, editor of MileHighMamas.com and 9News contributor. Expert on all things Utah, Denver, family and travel. Lover of laughter and life. Happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. 