Monday, November 30, 2009

Christmas, Schristmas, Oy Gevalt!....KnowwhutI'mSayin'?

First and foremost, let's be realistic here. While I know when it is in my best interests to attempt political correctness, more often that not, I am getting my peepee whacked for being brutally frank, and calling a spade a spade(no, not yet.....I'll cover Kwanzaa in a minute).
Christmas is just that. Christmas......allegedly a celebration of Christ's birthday, as practiced by Christians the world over, and in particular, by the majority of the folks who founded this country. The origins of the holiday, despite the fact that it has become a symbol of the wretched excess that is strangling our country, are not in question. Granted, there are a lot of guys named Murray Katz, and Harv Levin, reaping the benefits reaping the rewards of marketing an event that they don't believe happened, but the fact remains that Christmas is just that. I will out of force of habit, tell you Merry Christmas. Regardless of my religious beliefs, wen I tell you that, know that I am wishing you goodwill, prosperity, and a joyous holiday season. But unless you are looking for a fight, do not try to correct me, or ram Kwanzaa( a manufactured, throwdown ACLU holiday), or Hanukkah down my throat, because while I respect your celebration of your own religious holidays, and wish you the best, they have nothing to do with Christmas, save for the aforementioned Murray and Harv, and their need for all of them to be lumped into a "season" for profit's sake. I don't even know what the Muslim equivalent, is, or whether they are pushing for equal time in the Toys-R-Us sweepstakes, but no matter what, they have nothing to do with "Christmas". I will say as another blogger I read did: If I wish you a Merry Christmas, and you reply with a Happy Hanukkah, I will say "thank you and to you as well", and I will sincerely mean it, but shame on you if you attempt to P.C. me, and if you take issue with what I an my kids, and my grandparents and their grandparents have come to accept as tradition, because you and Lawanda or Mustafa and Nabila, or Murray and Harv are offended because I don't defer to your homeland's traditions in my holiday festivities. If you have a problem with hearing a warm "Merry Christmas" from my countrymen and women and myself, then I suggest you pack your bags, and embrace another of my country's slogans......"Delta is ready when you are".

6 comments:

The Loon said...

Of all the silliness thrust upon us, wishing people 'Happy Holidays' is well up on the list.

Edith Ann said...

I kind of have mixed feelings on this issue.

First, I really don't think anyone is going to be successful in ridding the season of "Merry Christmas". There are simply way too many folks using the phrase. To suggest otherwise, at times, is just an attempt to make a political play. Everything that falls under political correctness is political.

I have a wonderful friend who is Jewish. I wish her a "Happy Hanukkah". Why would I wish her a "Merry Christmas"? She not a Christian. She wishes me a 'Merry Christmas". I am not Jewish. You are going to hear "Merry Christmas" from me, no matter who you are. As Pilot said, "when I tell you that, know that I am wishing you goodwill, prosperity, and a joyous holiday season."

Quite frankly I cannot recall in the last 54 years where someone corrrectd me for saying "Merry Christmas". I have, however been bombarded with a zillion emails sent by panic-stricken evangelical zealots who think that this year is THE year that we will no longer be able to say "Merry Christmas!"

So, unless and until the United States of America becomes 100% Christian, some folks are going to just have to get a bit less touchy. There IS room for everyone. And I think that is realistic.

Edith Ann said...

Correction:

"You are going to hear "Merry Christmas" from me, no matter who you are...if I do not know your persuasion."

(this site needs an edit feature)

Truth Ferret said...

I wish all people a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. There are a few that I would like to put on Santa's naughty list; however, and let him leave that lump of coal in their stocking.

I used to work in retail and if something is a sure buzz-kill for the holiday spirit is to work in retail during this time of the year. I always dreaded Black Friday, and the day after Christmas (people always wanted the exact same thing in the correct size of something that was no longer in stock.)

Now, I just appreciate the fact that the people in retail are doing the best they can.

Be kind to the people in retail and those poor waitstaff at the restaurants who work for tips.

Sugar Magnolia said...

And a fine one to you too, Pilot.

I take greetings and friends in the spirit which was intended. There are too damn many people who are too damn touchy these days. If Mr. Spock appeared before me right now (oh, why aren't transporters a reality yet??), and said to me, "Live long and prosper", I would likewise give him the Vulcan signal and wish him the same, as well as a little peace to boot.

The best thing I can do on Christmas is to try to keep people alive (if I happen to be working) so that their loved ones don't have to say, "he/she died on Christmas day". Beyond that, it's all minor. It doesn't matter if it's Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or hop-on-one-foot-while-rubbing-your-tummy-and-patting-your-head day, it is cause to celebrate and be with the ones you love. Period.

Anonymous said...

Can't believe it. I was going to comment, Merry Christmas on the furthur. Now, it is gone. So, here it is Merry Christmas.