Where Is Christmas Going?

I really enjoyed this article on Christmas.

12/14/2005 1:56:00 AM
Good grief! What are they doing to Christmas?By Ron GilmanHoward County Republican Party treasurer
“Good grief, Charlie Brown! What are they doing to Christmas?” You can almost hear Linus utter these words as you observe all the controversy surrounding Christmas and its traditional celebrations and expressions. It is enough to cause the merriest among us to become a Scrooge, and say, “Bah, Humbug!” to the whole thing!Is it a Christmas tree or a holiday tree? Do we wish a merry Christmas or happy holidays? Can a nativity scene be displayed? Is it a Christmas vacation or a winter break? It is hard for me to believe we actually have these questions asked.I was elated when the speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), requested the Capitol tree be called a Christmas tree. Can you believe it? A U.S. congressman had to officially request that a Christmas tree be called a Christmas tree. It is about time somebody at his level spoke out in favor of tradition.Many people argue that public displays of Christmas are offensive to people who do not celebrate the season or have a different religious belief. I have a suggestion for those who are offended by Christmas: Don’t celebrate it.I do not celebrate Hanukkah, but I am not offended by a menorah. I do not celebrate Kwanzaa, but I am not offended by those who do. Unfortunately, Christmas is not afforded the same tolerance as other celebrations.Why does Christmas seem so offensive to some people? For years, many Christian conservatives have suggested that Christianity is under attack. I would submit that an all-out war has been declared. Anything that remotely acknowledges God or His son, Jesus Christ, is subject to attack.Just a few weeks ago the U.S. district judge for the Southern District of Indiana, David Hamilton, ruled that ministers who open Indiana legislative sessions with prayer must refrain from praying “in the name of Jesus,” and from using Christ's name. Is it not ironic that a judge basically outlaws Jesus’ name just a few weeks away from the worldwide celebration of His birth? Unbelievable.Folks, let’s get real; this is Christmastime. It is a time when we stop to acknowledge that God sent His only son Jesus Christ into this world. If it were not for Christ, there would be no Christmas. We decorate Christmas trees, send Christmas cards, shop Christmas sales and wrap Christmas presents! We eat Christmas dinner, watch Christmas specials and shop after-Christmas sales! School children receive a Christmas break, and parents save money in Christmas club accounts. Yet, in all of this, Christ is still acknowledged, if only in name. Let’s not lose that.From the Gilman family to yours, we would like to wish all of you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. And this year say “phooey” to the political correctors. Wish them a merry Christmas too! (Ron Gilman is the Howard County Republican Party treasurer, writing monthly as a columnist for the Kokomo Perspective.)