I Choose Merry Christmas

This blog I originally posted in December of 2012. After seeing on the news this morning that the University of Maine has banned students from displaying any form of holiday symbols (right down to candy canes) I felt it was worth posting again. They say they don't want to create an atmosphere that will divide - I feel that they are doing exactly that.

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, which happened over 2000 years ago. The word "Christmas" translates to "Mass Of Christ".

Many of the traditions that we observe during the Christmas holiday season began way before the birth of Christ. Exchanging gifts, decorating trees, and the burning of the Yule log were all winter traditions that began before Christ was born, but were eventually incorporated into the holiday that became known as Christmas, and became part of Christmas history.

I am not sure when it all began, but over the years society has not only lost the meaning of Christmas, but also insisted that we no longer say Merry Christmas. Everywhere you look it is Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings. Merry Christmas is no longer politically correct. Some even act offended if you wish them a Merry Christmas.

There are many people who celebrate other religious and cultural holidays such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali and many more. I respect all of these celebrations, and if anyone were to wish me a Happy Hanukkah or Happy Kwanzaa, etc. I would gladly respond in kind. I would not be offended, and I would not ask them to change how they address their holiday and celebration. I believe we all need to understand and respect, and maybe even join in on the celebrations.

So....I celebrate Christmas, and in doing so I choose to say Merry Christmas. I do hope that nobody will be offended by my celebration.




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