It’s okay to say MERRY CHRISTMAS!

    MERRY CHRISTMAS!

    I said it!  I said it!  I said it and I MEANT it!

    My Papaw Harrison from Newton County would not believe this! That in this 21st century there are a few loonies protesting the phrase, Merry Christmas — what!? The attack on Christmas has become a hot topic. So are we destined for ‘Holiday’ Trees, ‘Holiday’ colors, ‘Holiday’ songs, ‘Holiday Cheer’, or even ‘Holiday’ gifts? I mean in recent times we, as Christians, have put up with certain entities (public and private) disallowing displays of the Nativity Scene, the Ten Commandments, and the Christian Cross or Crucifix.  How much more will the Christian community suffer? Or how many more attacks will the Christian community allow?  

    Below is a commentary that I found at: www.revolutionchurchnow.com

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

    Doesn’t seem like it, but today saying that above phrase can cost you a job, political scrutiny or even some kind of legal battle in terms of a business posture. I have but one thing to say, DUH! I thought Christmas came from the idea of having a Merry Christmas which came from the fact that Christ was born and brought joy back to the earth. I mean really, Happy Holidays are not happy without JOY, and holidays get their name from Holy Days brought about by events such as Christmas. There is no problem for the world to wish, receive or say Merry Christmas. The problem is commercialism has tried to up-sale the meaning with only revenue of purpose. Let’s make sure that the humble bell ringers with red collection pots are not the only ones wishing folks a Merry Christmas this year. Go ahead ring your bell of hope and say Merry Christmas.

    Revolution Church is located near Spartanburg, South Carolina, however this recent posting on their website agrees with the same sentiments as most Mississippi Christian congregations. We believe in the Holy Bible, Christ as our Savior, and the privilege of wishing each other Merry Christmas. Come on – it’s our right as a Christian. Free speech, I believe, it is called. Recently our church ordered lapel pins for all members. We ordered through the American Family Association – www.afa.net. The pins read:  It’s okay to say MERRY CHRISTMAS. Wearing the lapel pin maybe a small effort some would say, but at least it is a statement. We’ve been quiet long enough.

    It’s not that the Merry Christmas phrase is anything new.  History records that the first Christmas card sent by post was in 1843 and the message read – A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Of course handwritten cards with the same wishes have been around for hundreds of years. It is generally agreed by historians that the official celebration of Christmas was not until at least 300 AD. It was Constantine, the Great who declared December 25 as the birth date of Christ and proclaimed the observance of what he termed Christmas. It was done to designate the time as Holy Days and not in any way associated with the winter solstice which had always been a pagan holiday.  

    In this 21st century what has brought about the change of opinion?  It’s not Christmas – the season of Christmas is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. It would seem that it is our society/lifestyle and what a shame. The quotes that are now heard or read throughout our land bring the sad news of the state of our society today.

    In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it ‘Christmas’ and went to church; the Jews called it ‘Hanukkah’ and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank.  People passing each other on the street would say ‘Merry Christmas!’ or ‘Happy Hanukkah!’ or (to the atheists) ‘Look out for the wall!’

— Dave Barry, “Christmas Shopping: A Survivor’s Guide”

    The Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot have a nativity scene in Washington, D.C. This wasn’t for any religious reasons.  They couldn’t find three wise men and a virgin.

— Jay Leno

    There is a remarkable breakdown of taste and intelligence at Christmastime. Mature, sensible grown men wear neckties made of holly leaves and drink alcoholic beverages with raw egg yolks and cottage cheese in them. 

— P. J. O’Rourke

    Dear friends:  As you know I seldom delve into the muck and mire of politics, but the nonsense of avoiding the lovely phrase, Merry Christmas, has clicked something deep inside my being. The opponents claim the phrase is offensive to non-Christians, but did that all come about just in recent years? It seems being politically correct is a big part of this outrage.  When did our way of life become so entangled? When were our standards lowered? Were we not paying attention? It is time to raise our heads and take a stand – what is right it right. Truth and integrity shall always prevail.

   It’s okay to say MERRY CHRISTMAS.

    Anne B. McKee is an author and

storyteller. She lives in Meridian. Anne is listed on the Mississippi Artist Roster, sponsored by Mississippi Arts Commission, as a dramatic and literary artist, storyteller, and as a Teaching Artist. She is active with the arts and educational communities throughout Mississippi. Visit her web site: www.annemckee.net.