The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is lit up during a ceremony on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington, Dec. 6, 2016. The Capitol Christmas Tree is an 80-foot Engelmann Spruce from the Payette National Forest in Idaho. (AP)
Whether you greet people by saying “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays,” Americans will observe Christmas in some way or another on Sunday.
The multi-ethnic, multi-religious nature of the United States raised the consciousness of some to try to be more inclusive with their greetings. But the supposedly politically-correct “Happy Holidays” offends some who believe it diminishes Christmas, and those who choose to use it in their well-wishes.
Add to that legal prohibitions on publicly sponsored religious displays and events, and you have ammunition for some to wage a culture war.
Hopefully, the sentiment of peace and joy that Christmas conveys will prevail.
Three Reasons Why The New York Times’ War on Christmas Denial Is All Wrong
Jordan Lorence – FOX News
When I worked at Concerned Women for America, we litigated a case against the Seminole County, Florida School District in 1985 in which officials at the Tuscawilla Middle School removed the songs, “Silent Night” and “Hanukkah Dance” from the middle school choir concert on the objection of one parent….
The ACLU has filed suit to keep school districts from singing religious Christmas carols. It has also filed suits to prevent the display of nativity scenes and other Christmas symbols like a Christmas tree and a menorah….
In the early 2000’s, I was flying on Continental Airlines in December. As we landed, the flight attendant wished us all, “Happy Holidays” over the intercom. As we disembarked, I asked the flight attendant if Continental Airlines would allow her to say, “Merry Christmas” to the passengers on the plane. “Oh no,” she said. “I would be written up if I did that.”
President Barack Obama, with Michelle Obama, and daughter Sasha, sing with Santa Claus and others during the lighting ceremony for the 2016 National Christmas Tree is seen before the lighting ceremony on the Ellipse near the White House, Dec. 1, 2016 in Washington. (AP)
The Politics of ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Happy Holidays’
Michael McGrady – The Daily Caller
A supercharged narrative of emotions comes with the territory when debating this topic. Issues congealed to the topic include how not all Americans are Christians but the federal government recognizes a historically Christian holiday to insufficient diversity in holiday imagery in the public square. However, one of the most trying issues that come to mind includes the fastening of an environment of hypersensitivity to Christmas and “holiday” imagery….
The basic rights of the First Amendment are at play, here. Not only does a devout follower of orthodox Judaism has the right to celebrate Hanukkah with his or her family but a devout Protestant also has the right to celebrate Christmas, unhindered. This also goes for the opponents of Christmas… they have the right to call for a politically correct alternative to the holiday.
Trump Won the War on Christmas (but for the Wrong Side)
E.J. Montini – The Arizona Republic
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a USA Thank You Tour event in Mobile, Alabama, U.S., December 17, 2016. (Reuters)
We’ve always been able to say Merry Christmas. We always have said Merry Christmas. President Obama each year in office has celebrated the national Christmas tree on the Washington, D.C., Ellipse.
Each year the White House is fully decked out in decorated Christmas trees, wreaths and so on.
And yet here is Trump’s former mouthpiece Corey Lewandowski, telling Fox News, “You can say again Merry Christmas because Donald Trump is now the president.”
We never lost the ability to utter those words.
What we’ve lost is the meaning behind them.
Why It’s Not Wrong to Wish Muslims Merry Christmas
Mustafa Akyol – The New York Times
Christmas is the celebration of the miraculous birth of Jesus, which is a powerful theme not just in the New Testament, but also in the Quran….
As the Quran narrates, an angel approached Mary one day and told her that God had decided to give her “a pure boy.” Mary objected: “How can I have a boy when no man has touched me?” The angel responded, “God creates whatever he wills.” Then God “breathes into Mary of our spirit,” and she conceives Isa, or Jesus….
Crucially, the Quran differs with the Bible on Jesus’ divinity. The Muslim holy book insists that he was a human and a prophet….Nonetheless, Islam and Christianity share a lot in their adoration for Isa and Maryam, Jesus and Mary.