The "War on Christmas": A new, unwelcome holiday tradition
Yes, it looks as if the "war on Christmas" hype is going to become an annual event, right along with "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer." Only the "war on Christmas" is nowhere near as amusing. Now, I am one of the few people I know who actually likes all those things that people are supposed to hate about Christmas--the carols piped over the loudspeakers, the holiday window displays, the search for the perfect Christmas gifts for a family that, believe me, is next to IMPOSSIBLE to shop for. They never can figure out what the heck they want. Le Sweetie is somewhat better in this regard, but even he is known to say, "I don't care as long as it comes from Boo." (Boo being me.)
Anyway, I like Christmas, and the war-on-Christmas chickenhawks are getting on my nerves. John Gibson's silly book is out in paperback, and I wouldn't be surprised if it makes repeated appearances on the bookshelves each holiday season. Bill O'Reilly, meanwhile, blathers on about this "war" that Christmas lovers are supposed to be fighting against the mean people who say "Season's Greetings" and point out that there are Jews and Hindus and Muslims who don't celebrate Christmas.
Let me tell you something. I live and work among lots of people who don't celebrate Christmas. I like to give them presents and send them cards. I always send cards that say "Happy Holidays" and "Peace on Earth" and "Season's Greetings." Some of the recipients are clearly Jewish, and some I'm not so sure about. So I figure it's best to err on the side of courtesy. Apparently, the Christmas warriors think this is a problem.
Let me state the obvious: Christmas has not been banned. Nobody is stopping John Gibson or Bill O'Reilly or any Faux News viewers from putting up Christmas trees. Nobody is stopping radio stations from playing Christmas carols and nobody is having Christmas television specials pulled off the air. There. Is. No. War. On. Christmas. Not that Gibson or Reilly would admit to this. The myth of a "war on Christmas" has meant book contracts and TV ratings for them and their fellow Christmas warriors.
But if they truly had faith in what the holiday's all about, maybe they'd follow the lead of Nation columnist (and proud atheist) Katha Pollitt. Every year, Pollitt publishes a list of little-known but deserving charities. The holiday season in general is an inclusive time of the year, when co-workers mingle at holiday parties and people donate toys to poor children and New York Cares holds its annual coat drive. When religion doesn't matter as much as generosity and open-heartedness. People don't need--or want--the punditocracy to observe Christmas for them. They can do it just fine on their own.
Besides, if you're one of those busybodies who just has to shove the spirit of Christmas down people's throats, then you never really had it in you to begin with.
Anyway, I like Christmas, and the war-on-Christmas chickenhawks are getting on my nerves. John Gibson's silly book is out in paperback, and I wouldn't be surprised if it makes repeated appearances on the bookshelves each holiday season. Bill O'Reilly, meanwhile, blathers on about this "war" that Christmas lovers are supposed to be fighting against the mean people who say "Season's Greetings" and point out that there are Jews and Hindus and Muslims who don't celebrate Christmas.
Let me tell you something. I live and work among lots of people who don't celebrate Christmas. I like to give them presents and send them cards. I always send cards that say "Happy Holidays" and "Peace on Earth" and "Season's Greetings." Some of the recipients are clearly Jewish, and some I'm not so sure about. So I figure it's best to err on the side of courtesy. Apparently, the Christmas warriors think this is a problem.
Let me state the obvious: Christmas has not been banned. Nobody is stopping John Gibson or Bill O'Reilly or any Faux News viewers from putting up Christmas trees. Nobody is stopping radio stations from playing Christmas carols and nobody is having Christmas television specials pulled off the air. There. Is. No. War. On. Christmas. Not that Gibson or Reilly would admit to this. The myth of a "war on Christmas" has meant book contracts and TV ratings for them and their fellow Christmas warriors.
But if they truly had faith in what the holiday's all about, maybe they'd follow the lead of Nation columnist (and proud atheist) Katha Pollitt. Every year, Pollitt publishes a list of little-known but deserving charities. The holiday season in general is an inclusive time of the year, when co-workers mingle at holiday parties and people donate toys to poor children and New York Cares holds its annual coat drive. When religion doesn't matter as much as generosity and open-heartedness. People don't need--or want--the punditocracy to observe Christmas for them. They can do it just fine on their own.
Besides, if you're one of those busybodies who just has to shove the spirit of Christmas down people's throats, then you never really had it in you to begin with.
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