Seasons greetings. Happy Holidays. Warm wishes. Oh, bah humbug. All of these generic holiday salutations feel like big lumps of coal in my Christmas stocking. And this year, I am wishing for something sweeter.
It’s not something tangible that Santa can send down the chimney or put in his sleigh. It doesn’t fit in a shiny box, and you can’t tie a red ribbon around it. And the mere thought of it would certainly make our good friend Rudolph’s nose turn bright red in utter shock.
They’re the two little words that department store clerks and grocery cashiers nervously shy away from saying, making Uncle Scrooge a dreadfully proud man.
If you come closer, I can whisper them to you. I wouldn’t want to offend anyone standing next to you. Here it goes: Merry Christmas.
That’s right, I said it. Merry Christmas. These two words have caused quite the controversy during previous holiday seasons, and they’re quickly on the way to being banned to The North Pole. In fact, the debate over speaking them is stealing Christmas from little boys and girls much faster than Mr. Grinch ever did.
While the words themselves are not taking any presents from under the tree, their omission is snatching the joy of Christmas right off the table. The days of good old Christmas cheer have been replaced with a much too politically correct holiday season.
In today’s society, people are afraid to get too personal, make assumptions or label others in groups such as “gays” or “blacks.” We are careful to use the politically correct terms, which is fine in these cases. It is not my intent to offend these groups, and I am happy to live in a more tolerating, accepting society. However, when that society pressures my religion into being politically correct during Christmas, it is going too far.
Take, for instance, the classic Coca-Cola advertising campaign that is making a not-so-classic decision. The company recently announced Santa Claus will not appear on its packaging this season. For 74 years, the jolly old man has been the star of Coke cans during the weeks just before Christmas. But this year, the polar bears are hogging the spotlight, and Santa’s getting the boot.
In his book, “The War on Christmas,” John Gibson writes about the phenomenon of Santa being declared a religious symbol by secularists who are trying to suppress Christmas.
He writes, “This will come as a surprise to most Christians who do not view Santa as a symbol of their religion. And to many Christians it is an example of how any hint of Christmas has become forbidden in some places.”
In one California elementary school, the principal ordered teachers not to say the word “Christmas” at school. One of the teachers claimed that for more than two decades she had been teaching a “Christmas around the World” program. She also explains to her students about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and other religious holidays.
If we are supposed to be creating a more open-minded world, then we have to educate people about all religions. And we should be able to freely talk about our own religions. I encourage others to celebrate their various holidays and traditions by openly decorating their homes and verbally expressing their beliefs. Hiding religion under the rug does no good; in fact, it takes society backwards.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the sign in Starbucks that displayed its “Christmas Blend.” At least someone isn’t afraid to say the C-word.
The First Amendment gives us the rights of religious expression and free speech. We should not have to censor our religion for the sake of others. Just as many Christians put up lights, decorate trees and set up nativities to display their religion’s sacred holiday, they should freely say the words, “Merry Christmas.” Besides, don’t actions speak louder than words?
If we are too afraid to say these words, then we will soon forget what our holiday season is all about. We will not be celebrating the time of giving and birth of Jesus, but only a winter wonderland. Spirit is lost when we feel pressured to be politically correct and fit a standard mold shaped for everyone.
We must save Christmas before it truly becomes a ghost of the past. Merry Christmas.
Annalise Ghiz is a junior journalism major. She may be contacted at [email protected]
