December 15, 2015

AS I SEE IT

By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor

Every December the subject of whether or not we should be wishing people that we meet a “Merry Christmas” or a “Happy Holiday” seems to come up, just as does the discussion as to whether or not the tree that we decorate and put presents under should be called a Christmas Tree or a Holiday Tree. And of course, for the politically correct schools around the country, the debate continues as to whether or not there should be “Christmas” concerts and programs or if it wouldn’t be better to just have a “Winter” program.
Granted, as America has become more diverse with hundreds of cultures now part of this great nation, it is important to point out a couple of observations on the discussion.
First, for most of the western Christian world, the Christmas season is about celebrating the birth of Christ. It is not about Santa Claus or any of the other commercial aspects that go along with the holiday shopping season. And far too often these two concepts are mixed and intertwined, which leads to a lot of the confusion.
For the United States, which was founded as a Christian nation, being able to say “Have a Merry Christmas” should be something that all Christians feel comfortable in greeting others with. And those people receiving the greeting, whether they are Christian or not, should not be offended by the greeting.
But that all-inclusiveness seems to be where many who are not of the Christian faith, and even some of those who are, seem to have a problem. They would prefer that “Merry Christmas” be taken out of the season and replaced with “Happy Holidays.”
Or more to the point of some, there are many people who seem to hold the belief that there should be no Christmas at all since that holiday is not part of their religious or cultural belief.
The United States affords everyone the freedom to follow their own faith and to observe their traditional holiday. And because of that, somewhere along the way, the American society has decided that wishing someone a happy holiday, like Christmas, was offensive.
Second, saying “Merry Christmas,” is not meant to be offensive to Jews, Muslims, Atheists, or anyone else who doesn’t wish to observe the holiday. For Christians, it is calling the holiday simply what it is. Some would argue that by saying “Happy Holidays,” that nobody will be left out and it will be politically correct. But for Christians taking Christmas out of the greeting eliminates the reason that we are celebrating the season in the first place. And that reason is Christ.
So this Christmas season, if you are so inclined, go ahead and say, “Merry Christmas.” There is absolutely nothing wrong in doing so.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER