Does Jesus have to be the reason for spreading good cheer?

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The Compassionate Curmudgeon

Waco resident Kay H. Wilson has determined that she doesn't know anything; but her heart is indeed in the right place.

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Thursday December 15, 2011

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Does Jesus have to be the reason for spreading good cheer?

By Kay H. Wilson

This coming Christmas day, millions of people will wake up, have breakfast and go to church to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus. They will come home and continue to pray and rejoice in the spirit of a Christian God. Most probably won’t leave the house except to go to church again to worship the boy who grew up to die for their sins. No sound will come from these millions of blessed homes as this day is kept sacrosanct; the only expressions of joy are those rejoicing in the miracle birth.

Can I just say “NOT?”

Millions of people will wake up, generally earlier than on most weekend days and scramble for the Christmas trees. Those households with children will probably rise even earlier as the excitement barely held in check for days finally explodes in a living room full of paper, boxes and toys glanced at in passing on the way to the next brightly colored box to open.

Can I just remind you that not everyone in America is a Christian anymore?

For weeks now, all these millions have been rosy cheeked and glowing as they camped out for Black Friday, fought over the latest got-to-have toy, dress, coat, shoes, jewelry, Superman socks; shouting "Merry Christmas" at the top of their lungs, belittling and chastising those who choose a more generic — truthful, really — "Happy Holidays."

Can I just say "that's OK?"

For most American households Jesus hasn’t been the reason for the season in decades. For most of us, the “Holidays” have become a period of time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day when precious time is spent with family thrown asunder by any number of things, maybe some days off from the daily grind, a football game or two or three, children screaming in glee and your family's special foods that create the kind of memories that last into old age.

Can I just say that this is generally how I see the "Holidays," as do millions of other Americans.

For those of you who spend the day rejoicing in the birth of baby Jesus: good for you. Faith is a powerful force and the most constant source of renewable energy for some.

Can I just say "keep it to yourself"?

If I, and millions of others, take the time to wish you "Happy Holidays," just assume it is done in the spirit of good will; that maybe we're Jewish or Muslim or without faith in any higher power. We bear you no ill will for celebrating your special holiday and we care enough about our fellow man to join in a festive time of harmony and love.

Can I just say "Happy Holidays?"

Yours in hope and cynicism,
The Compassionate Curmudgeon

13 Comments | Post a comment

Kristie

Feb. 01, 2012, 4:22PM

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A belated Happy Holidays to you, too Kay. I just saw your blog for the first time and am enjoying your articles. I don't understand why people get so upset when they are wished Happy Holiday or Season's Greetings. Point of fact, the season was celebrated by Pagans long before Christ was ever around. I wish people could just take a heart-felt sentiment as it is intended, and not get so bent out of shape.

Tom Trebow

Jan. 10, 2012, 10:13AM

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Yes, the reason for the Season is Jesus. He is the reason for the season by definition, are you that dense? Christ is the first part of Christmas, duh, man, you progressives are really dumb.

Michael

Jan. 05, 2012, 6:02PM

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Right after I downloaded Obama's birth certificate on the internet, I looked up one for Jesus, and guess what? It's a fake! Turns out he wasn't even Jewish OR Christian--can you believe it? His real name was Mohammed Goldberg Huang and he was a Buddhist! Oh, and the actual birth date was July 4, 0000, so we really SHOULD be celebrating Christmas in July with a Big Used Car Sale after all. Funny how things turn out.

Trace

Jan. 04, 2012, 10:21AM

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That is the heresy of indifferentism.

Arce

Jan. 02, 2012, 8:02AM

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Jerome, Reread the post. She is asking Christians to not pick fights over people saying "Happy Holidays". She says good for you if you are a Christian and want to say "Merry Christmas", but don't get all hot and bothered by someone who says "happy holidays.: It is you and other Christians who are picking the fights over Christmas. And as a Christian, I do not like you doing that.

Jerome

Jan. 01, 2012, 8:18AM

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Why CC, do you insist on picking fights with groups who have done nothing to you? Spite? Hatefulness? Jealousy? What part of 'Peace on earth, goodwill toward men' riles you so? I guess I missed the point again. You need help.

Thomas

Dec. 29, 2011, 3:00PM

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Every "progressive" takes a vow to bash Christians at least once a year.

Arce

Dec. 29, 2011, 6:20AM

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CC: I would have titled the post "Is Jesus the ONLY reason for spreading good cheer?" As a Christian, I often say "happy holidays" to those that are not known to me to be Christians, and "Merry Christmas" to those I know to be of my own faith. Our current approach to Christmas gets more pagan every year, and it is the Christians who are doing a lot of that. We need to accept that others may not share our particular approach without believing that they are attacking us.

Marci

Dec. 26, 2011, 2:14PM

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This time of year we also pray for all those old bitter sad curmudgeons who don't know the only real Peace there is. Merry Christmas everyone!

Simon

Dec. 22, 2011, 6:14PM

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You can say what you want to say. Afterall, "Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech..." You have the right to say whatever you wish to say. However, so do I. I'll respect your right to say "Happy Holidays" whenever and wherever you chose, so long as you respect my right to say "Merry Christmas" whenever and wherever I choose. Afterall, before the Founders gave us freedom of speech, they wrote, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." Merry Christmas, Kay, and God bless you and yours!

Rick Emery

Dec. 16, 2011, 2:18PM

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Nice work Kay. The high energy and positive hubris of kids tearing through presents is the best part of Christmas. The re-affirmed love from us to our future generations. I cherish my Family. Christmas, to me, is an annual exclamation point to that fact.

Jim Heidebrecht

Dec. 16, 2011, 7:55AM

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You May say Happy Holidays to me as long as you allow me to say Merry Christmas to you and everyone I meet. Yes, it is the Holiday period, but one day during that period is set aside for Christians to celebrate Christmas.

Steve

Dec. 16, 2011, 12:01AM

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Happy Holidays, or Happy Hannukah, or Happy Kwansaa, or Merry Christmas are fine with me. It's all really about community. It's about Baby Jesus only for some.