I have no trouble with this time of year being called Christmas or the Christmas Season. After all, in this Christian nation in which I was born and bred, December 25th is celebrated as the day Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary in a humble stable in Bethlehem. The entire Reason for this Holy Season has, of late, become "politically incorrect," with advertising agencies hard-pressed to come up with substitute names for Christmas trees, Christmas vacations, Christmas break, Christmas cookies, Christmas presents -- why, I wouldn't be surprised to see the title and words of "White Christmas" adjusted to prattle something like, "I'm dreaming of a white hol-i-day." Of course, the extra syllable is a bit incongruous.
Harried store "associates" -- once known as cashiers -- dutifully recite, "Happy holidays," which provides opportunity for me to ask meekly, "Which holidays? The 4th of July? Valentine's Day? Which holidays?" For those savvy cashiers just waiting for the chance to break free of their managerially-imposed constraints, the quick and joyful reply is, "Christmas!" and we both smile!
Whose idea it was to trade the quality of American-made Christmas decorations, recipe ingredients, pet food, children's toys, and more, for the tsunami of other-world "cheap" store shelf fillers, must be somehow related to Scrooge. Why, he even scrooged "Christmas Club" accounts in favor of more lucrative credit card consumering! That global power player might sell even a close relative in order to grab ever more power, ever more money, but no such thing happens where I live.
We have Nativity scenes, some with real players at churches, some gracing the front lawns of private homes. We have Christmas carols, sung by people with hearts full of love and Christian charity. All the kindnesses bestowed upon friends, family and strangers alike, surge to the forefront at this time of year. From the gas station attendant in need of warm gloves, hat or ear muffs, to the simple kindness of a bit of grocery cart gathering to help save the store employees from spending so much time outside; from the offerings of warm water, nuts, corn, bread crusts and crumbs and more to the birds and other animals we love to stay wild, but still revere the directive of Genesis to have dominion o'er them all, to the special treats we make and gather for our beloved pets, family and friends; from the unused coats we donate to those whose needs outstrip our blessings, to the myriad ways in which we can make a difference just by being a friend, Christmas shines through with Son Light from our souls.
Those of us who have no trouble with Christmas should be saying it out, strong and clear and boldly, celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ: We have no trouble with Christmas!
Smithson's research and educational website, whose focus is on the many facets of property rights, clearly states on its Home Page: "If God and Country and family are your top priorities, you'll like this site." A message that will remain posted until after the first of the year: "Remember Who is the Reason for this Holy Season: Keep Christ in Christmas." Visit www.propertyrightsresearch.org for more Christian, unapologetic, non "politically correct" reading today! Email Julie: propertyrights@earthlink.net
