When I was in school, there were, a few people who wouldn't sing O Canada or say The Lord's Prayer - yes, I went to school that long ago! But, the rest of us still did. I can't tell you who they were - that wasn't important then, nor is it important to the comments now.
I am reminded of the hypocrisy of the Christmas season within some of our retail chains. Those who, for political reasons, don't want their employees saying 'Merry Christmas' or have Christmas carols playing, unless they are songs like 'Jingle Bells' etc. In other words, nothing faith based.
An employee of a store belonging to a chain of stores, reports being sent home for saying 'Merry Christmas' to a customer. Whether this was entirely factual or not, I don't know, but, this same store was selling Christmas trees (or are they now called holiday trees?), decorations, Nativity Scenes/mangers, etc., and all that is acceptable, but, don't go saying 'Merry Christmas'. Isn't it reasonable to assume that someone buying any of these products is celebrating Christmas?
Aside from all of this, the reasoning is, that while Christmas is a Christian celebration, not everyone is of the Christian faith. Well, yes and no. Yes, Christians celebrate the birth of our savior in Bethlehem. And we give gifts to one another, but, the Christmas tree, Frosty, Santa, Rudolph, all of that is commercialism; most notably a device of Hollywood. Yes, Christians have adopted the tree, lights, decorations, etc., as part of the season. And 'Christ' still is part of the name of the celebration. But, for the most part Christmas has less to do with faith, unless you are of that faith, than it has to do with celebration, sharing, kindness and generosity to one another.
Why should anyone be offended by someone saying, 'Merry Christmas', Happy Christmas or any other quip that adds Christmas to it? Christmas is celebrated the world over.
And so, to all - Merry Christmas and may the peace of Christmas dominate and not the debate!
I am reminded of the hypocrisy of the Christmas season within some of our retail chains. Those who, for political reasons, don't want their employees saying 'Merry Christmas' or have Christmas carols playing, unless they are songs like 'Jingle Bells' etc. In other words, nothing faith based.
An employee of a store belonging to a chain of stores, reports being sent home for saying 'Merry Christmas' to a customer. Whether this was entirely factual or not, I don't know, but, this same store was selling Christmas trees (or are they now called holiday trees?), decorations, Nativity Scenes/mangers, etc., and all that is acceptable, but, don't go saying 'Merry Christmas'. Isn't it reasonable to assume that someone buying any of these products is celebrating Christmas?
Aside from all of this, the reasoning is, that while Christmas is a Christian celebration, not everyone is of the Christian faith. Well, yes and no. Yes, Christians celebrate the birth of our savior in Bethlehem. And we give gifts to one another, but, the Christmas tree, Frosty, Santa, Rudolph, all of that is commercialism; most notably a device of Hollywood. Yes, Christians have adopted the tree, lights, decorations, etc., as part of the season. And 'Christ' still is part of the name of the celebration. But, for the most part Christmas has less to do with faith, unless you are of that faith, than it has to do with celebration, sharing, kindness and generosity to one another.
Why should anyone be offended by someone saying, 'Merry Christmas', Happy Christmas or any other quip that adds Christmas to it? Christmas is celebrated the world over.
And so, to all - Merry Christmas and may the peace of Christmas dominate and not the debate!
