T'was the month before Christmas

[Dr T]

Got this in an e-mail:

Alan Price wrote:

*Twas the month before Christmas*

*When all through our land,*

*Not a Christian was praying*

*Nor taking a stand.*

*See the PC Police had taken away,*

*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*

*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*

*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*

*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*

* December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*

*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*

*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*

*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*

*Something was changing, something quite odd! *

*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*

*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*

*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*

* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found....*

*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*

*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*

*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*

*Are words that were used to intimidate me....*

*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*

*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*

*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*

*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*

*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*

* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*

*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*

*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*

*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*

*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*

*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*

*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,

not Happy Holiday !*

[RanMan]

Sad, but seemingly too true.

This has become even more apparent to me since I married. My wife's family pushes celebrating the real meaning of Christmas - as of course most of the LDS I know do this as well. Focusing on the birth of the Savior rather than Santa Claus and singing snowmen. That change of focus has really brought a much deeper and personal meaning of the holiday for me. I hate to see this diminished by the critics of Christianity.

[ADoyle90815]

There are other holidays during this time of year, Haunnakkah for one, as well as New Year's. Originally, the Winter Solstice was the reason for the season, but with the Catholic church moving Christ's birth to around that time, it replaced the original celebration. The Puritans even banned Christmas at one point because it was considered "too Catholic" for them as it reminded them of the Church of England they left.

I know the real meaning of Christmas, but I'm also aware that it's called the holiday season for a good reason.

[RanMan]

There are other holidays during this time of year, Haunnakkah for one, as well as New Year's. Originally, the Winter Solstice was the reason for the season, but with the Catholic church moving Christ's birth to around that time, it replaced the original celebration. The Puritans even banned Christmas at one point because it was considered "too Catholic" for them as it reminded them of the Church of England they left.

I know the real meaning of Christmas, but I'm also aware that it's called the holiday season for a good reason.

That is a good point. I don't mind that many holiday's are celebrated at this time. However, not all of it is a matter of addressing multiple holidays. There is some very direct discussion that it is about not bringing religion into the schools, or workplaces. That is what is sad - not the celebration of many different belief systems.

:)

[candyprpl]

I'm Christian and I want to say Merry Christmas becasue that is the holiday I celebrate -- not to offend anyone who doesn't celebrate Christ's birth. I'm not offended when someone says Happy Hannukah because they are Jewish and that is what they celebrate this time of year and I'm not offended if someone tells me Happy Holidays because they just like the season.

What doesn rankle me a little is someone telling me to say Happy Holidays because I might exclude or offend some people.

Sorry, that's just my thought.

[Dr T]

Thanks for all of your thoughts :)

[Moksha]

*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*

*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*

With this time stamp emblazoned "Merrily" (sigh)

Twas written for the goodly shoppers of ZCMI