Don't you just love this season?
There is just something about this time of year that puts a skip in your step and a smile on your face. The whole ambience of the season really gets to you. The sound of briefcases opening to file lawsuits about Christmas songs at public schools, the clickity-crack of Nativity scenes being dragged back into storage after threats from the ACLU, the lack of the sound of bells clanging as Salvation Army personnel get the heave-ho from businesses. Who can forget the moment hesitation as store employees try to remember what the politically correct reply is this week as you enter and leave the store. The night before the Christmas wars where all through the malls not a mention of Christmas, nor Merry Christmas y'all.
When all are filled with the Christmas war spirit it is a sight to behold. Disturbance of the peace on earth and ill will towards men. The joy of arguments breaking out to trying to figure out if something is a Christmas tree or a Holiday tree. The Holiday that must not be named. The fun of coming up with non-specific winter season songs to be performed by public high school choirs. The competition involving who can out grinch other grinches just gives you a warm fuzzy feeling. The endless TV movies of an obviously inept Santa Claus that once again needs some help to save Christmas along with the other ones with the message family is important - just as long as it isn't the Holy Family that is counted as important.
The Christmas wars enable all to be of good sneer. A time to let out the inner Scrooge. For one side to complain about Christian religious symbols being forced on them and the other to complain about the growing secularization and commercialization of Christmas. The Christmas wars provide an opportunity for everyone to be upset equally. That all sides can come together in unity with something to gripe about. It all just brings fond memories to my heart as I think about it and Christmas wars past.
Known as 
Jesus peace be upon him Christ, such hatred in your hearts. Seriously though, it's a good thing the ACLU is nice, because they could stop helping Catholics in Establishment cases. After all, the case that led to the prohibition of student initiated prayer at high-school football games was.... started by Catholics (and Mormoms) seeking relief from the evangelical majority that was harrassing them :)
Hilarious! Thanks, Jeff.
I wish I could figure out how to print this without having to print the full webpage! I would love to send this to my friends who, after immigrating to my country, had to figure out the politics of Christmas. ;)
I want to know how the ACLU is going to deal with Muslims wanting prayers rooms in airports. Let's see them get around that. I doubt the Muslims will slip away quietly as we Christians do, complaining to one another "What's this world coming to?" while the Muslims, carrying their beheading knives in their pockets, happily retreat to their designated sacred rooms to pray without incident while awaiting their flights.
Very clever, Jeff, and true except for my experience Christmas shopping last Saturday morning. In our suburb, the Target & Walmart are in the same parking lot. Last yr & this yr, I've been going to Target just because of the 'Christmas Controversy' last yr at the Big W. After the Target checker rang me up last Saturday, she said "Have a Merry Christmas". I was so pleasantly surprised that I went & found her front line manager & complimented her to him. He said that, at least at that store, they've not been given any prohibitions against Christmas. Thank God.
Last year, everyone complained how no one said "Merry Christmas" and wanted to bring Christ back into Christmas. Stores were boycotted, petitions signed, etc. Very well...
This year, these same people complain that some are saying Merry Christmas and decorating during Advent and *GASP* they have to listen to Christmas music in the stores and tolerate their kids practicing Christmas music on the piano for recitals during Advent! Don't they know it's Advent and NOT Christmas?! *SIGH*
I love this article, because it points out just how ridiculous it's become. Yes, some complaints are ligit, but most of the time, I think some of the "holier than the Pope" types just need something to make themselves feel superior to others. And when we're so busy judging everyone else and condemning them to hell because they went to a Christmas party and had fun during Advent, how are we spreading the wonderful joyous news?
To me, let's just be grateful that they're even acknowedging Christ-mas, even if we think the intent is wrong, let that be between them and God!
My 2 cents, God Blesss,
T
Good post.
Now let's see if we can get Christ's MASS back into Christmas and get people to come to Mass.
Yes, I suppose we're not happy unless we're beefing about something. This side of heaven, at least we try to beef about the right stuff.
So guys, what do you think of this move by the Young Conservatives of Texas branch on the Austin campus, to install a PC "crèche" in order to draw attention to the excesses of the ACLU?
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53247
I enjoyed your meme last year. I am tagging you for this year's. Some silliness is good for the soul.
http://peacepilgrim.fotopages.com/?entry=1007968
A city near my home has installed a huge (Ahem!) Christmas Tree on the roof of the City Hall. Looks like they are saying, "Take that, ACLU!."