Each year I do a little rant and rave about the holiday season and how it has been dumbed down, diluted, misshapen and politically corrected until the meaning is lost. In our efforts to be perfectly inclusive and not in any way shape or form “offend” any one with anything other than the totally homogenized version of what this is all about… aw, to heck with it — MERRY CHRISTMAS!

If my saying Merry Christmas offends you then please step farther away so you can’t hear me, and, by the way, I’ll bet a thousand things in this world offend you every minute of every day. Can we discuss “deeper issues.”

Merry, Happy Whatever

OK, let’s cut to the chase. It’s not so much that I said “Merry Christmas” but that I didn’t say “Happy Hanukkah” or “Happy Kwanzaa” or whatever you think I should say. But here’s the problem. In order for me to guess what you may believe I have to look at you and conclude what I think your are just from your appearance. I thought that’s what I wasn’t supposed to do. Do you look Jewish? And if so does that mean you celebrate Hanukkah. How about if you’re African American, do I automatically assume that you celebrate Kwanzaa? I’m sorry but my black and/or Jewish friends tell me they laugh when people bumble and stumble trying to guess what politically correct thing they must say in this situation.

So here’s the deal. You say to me what’s right for you, Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa or whatever, and I’ll respond with Merry Christmas. Likewise, I’ll say Merry Christmas and you respond with whatever you believe. Fair? We all win.

No more of this watered-down “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings.” Makes me crazy.

Speaking of, did you see Stewart Shepard’s cool little video called “Merry Tossmas?” It’s worth seeing again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwuXgJ6VQa8

So instead of fumbling with what to say, or making a total joke of it all…

Please accept with no obligation, implied or explicit, my best wishes for an environmentally-conscious, socially-responsible, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice period holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of your chosen religious/secular persuasion, with obvious respect for the religious/secular persuasion/traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all or lack therof.

For me and my house it’s simply a celebration of when the Lord, Our God was born to this world. So Merry Christmas to all and may we all share a little more peace in this day, give a bit more from our hearts and care for those less fortunate than ourselves. This really is a season for joy and celebration, no matter what words you use to describe it.

Until next time, may the good news you hear all be true.

Cheers,
steve