It’s “Merry Christmas:” Don’t be scared to say it
By Alan Campbell
Can someone tell me when and why Christmas became a four-letter (plus five) word?
Before I go off, if anyone has sent me a “Happy Holidays” card, it was very much appreciated.
And, if someone has the good grace to acknowledge my departure from the room with “Happy Holidays,” said sentiment will be received with the “festive cheer” it was intended and I’ll reciprocate — with “Merry Christmas.”
There. Now for the rant.
I’m on sensory overload with the “Holidays,” especially with advertising.
I’ve grown weary of the all-inclusive, fear-to-offend festive fawn, and I’ll poke my eyes out with my Star Wars candy canes if it gets any worse.
I mean, really? Who’s going to be offended by “Christmas?” If it wasn’t for Christmas, we wouldn’t be having this debate and I seriously doubt we’d be having any “Holidays.”
When it comes to Chinese New Year, we don’t say “Happy Holidays,” do we?
No, because that would be stupid. Although “Gong Hei Holiday” kind of sings.
What’s next?
On Dec. 25 we’ll celebrate “Holiday Day;” we’ll open Holiday presents next to the Holiday tree, then eat Holiday dinner, watch How the Grinch Stole the Holidays and sing Holiday carols around the Shaw TV Holiday Fireplace.
Wait, the last one’s real.
Even White Christmas was written by Irving Berlin, who’s of Jewish descent, so I think we’re safe.
It’s “Christmas.” And it deserves more respect.
I wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and, if I must, a Happy Holidays.
Alan Campbell is a reporter with the Richmond News. Reach him at acampbell@richmond
‘Happy Holidays’ is fine by me
By Graeme Wood
Enough with the “War on Christmas.” “Happy Holidays” will suffice just fine for me.
Every year people gripe about how Christmas is being smothered by political correctness, this, that or the other.
I’m no fan of overzealous political correctness. But I also don’t appreciate pushing religion on others.
Complaining about politically correct salutations is just as annoying as the PC folks who perpetuate them.
Yes, these folks have to find something else to conjure up (they can’t help themselves).
But, the Christmas crusaders need to stop barking at the PC versions of the holidays.
There is no grand conspiracy to take away Christmas. The fact is, people have varying beliefs and here in the West we are living in an era of immense scientific discovery that has put to bed many of the claims in religious scripts.
Not surprisingly, more than one in four Canadians (nearly half of Richmondites) has no religious affiliation. The trend is growing and I don’t see mobs running around acting like the Antichrist (crime is down, charitable contributions are up). Furthermore, most “religious” people don’t even practise their religion. If anything, there is a “war” on the non-religious.
Much was made of the Canadian government’s diverse cabinet, but where were the atheists? You’d figure, statistically, at least one in four MPs don’t believe in a creator (last year, only one MP was an open atheist). And in the U.S. belief in God is effectively a precondition for public office. As Yoda would say: Closeted, they are.
Happy Holidays!
Graeme Wood is a staff reporter at the Richmond News. Reach him at [email protected]
