The "War on Christmas"
I agree with Glenn. This whole "War on Christmas" meme is a bit silly.
There is no war. There is only a bunch of gutless, PC wussies who are afraid to utter the word. That can be grating, of course, but that doesn't make it a "war."
To me, it's simple. If you mean Christmas, say "Christmas." If you mean Hanukkah, say "Hanukkah." If you need to keep it intentionally unspecific, then just say "holiday." There are times when that's appropriate. (But please, for God's sake, avoid ridiculous constructs like "holiday tree." God, that's just horrible. There is no "holiday tree." It's a "Christmas tree." That's what it is.)
Say "Christmas" all you like. Give it a shot. I promise you won't be shot for it.
BTW, am I correct in thinking these PC, Christmas-phobic sensibilities are largely confined to the Anglosphere? (Sort of like how English people feel compelled to refer to themselves as "British" these days?) I never noticed that kind of reluctance in France, for example. Parisians unhesitatingly said Joyeux Noël! when I was there, and it's not exactly like Paris was lacking in diversity.
Comments
Actually, it's a Solstice Tree, but don't tell Bill O'Reilly that; his head might explode.
Wait a minute....no, go ahead. Tell him.
The colors red and green come from Druid tradition.
Tree decorating comes from the ancient Roman holiday of Saturnalia, which is the best-known celebration of the Winter Solstice.
The largely German origins of most of our Christmas rituals were regarded (correctly) as pagan by the Puritans and were largely shunned here in the U.S. until 1875.
The Santa/sleigh/eight reindeer nonsense is a fabrication of Clement Moore.
December 25 was adopted as Christmas by the Roman Emperor Constantine so that pagans and Christians could celebrate at the same time.
The tree, the Christmas ham, the Yule Log, holly, mistletoe, and the giving of presents, ALL come from earlier Germanic pagan solstice celebrations.
I'm all for putting the Christ back in Christmas. Let's strip it of its pagan trimmings, scale it back so that it is truly a religious holiday, let Christians go to church and have a nice dinner with family and friends, and then the rest of us can be left the hell alone so we can drive on northern NJ highways again.
Posted by: Jill | December 5, 2005 01:46 PM
No one would mess with Christmas. Haven't you ever seen the episodes of South Park with Santa Claus? You do not want to get that fat man angry, let me tell you what.
Posted by: Adam | December 5, 2005 04:25 PM
The whole think with the "Christmas war" is artificial. No one really cares or pays attention. Bill O'Reilly and some other wingnuts simply try to create an issue, in order to change the focus of attention from the real problems to "cultural conservative issues". It is in a way, something similar to the "gay marriage" issue during the 2004 election.
Posted by: Blue Wind | December 5, 2005 09:03 PM
The neocons need for there to be a war against religion, a war against christmas, and all that blather because only war justifies THEIR methods (lying, coercion, intimidation, torture, illegal incarceration, cheating, bribery, theft, etc ...).
Posted by: Bailey Hankins | December 6, 2005 11:27 AM
Of course, you all have to admit "holiday tree" does sound pretty retarded.
Posted by: That Guy | December 9, 2005 10:56 AM