I found an email someone printed out and left at work about the woes of today's world. Specifically, how Christmas is being edited out of the public sphere. It begins with a personal story from the original sender.
Moms (& Dads)-
Vote me off the island if you like, but I wanted to share a brief story. My kids are so excited about their choir concert tonight, and for weeks I have been troubled by one of t;he songs they are singing to celebrate the holiday season. You know the song, "Here We Come A-Caroling." They sing, "...love and joy come to you and to friends and family, too, and we wish you and send you a Happy New Year, and we send you a Happy New Year..." The problem I have with this song is that when I sang it in High School choir, the song went, "love and joy come to you and to you glad Christmas, too, and GOD BLESS YOU and send you a Happy New Year." When did it become okay to take God out of a Christmas song?
So, I thought it appropriate to remember season with a (gulp!) forward to help everyone here to remember the purpose of this season. I didn't check it out on Snopes, but I know that the words to this poem ring true.
I have no problem with the sender's personal outrage, but I am highly annoyed at the continuation of the "War on Christmas" rant. It was followed by a poem, which includes bits I applaud that bash commercialism, but goes on to say that this season is only and always has been for Christians and God, and how dare anyone suggest otherwise. I shall put it here, followed by the written addition of my own stanzas for the coworker who left it, hoping to instill a bit of reality in their myth.
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand
See the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hirt people's feelings, the teachers would say.
December 25th is just a "Holiday".
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks, and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, and Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
Snd we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
SHOUT MERRY CHRISTMAS, NOT HAPPY HOLIDAY!!
Now for my addition, beginning with an edit of the last line
Shout Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!
A plural, for there's more than one to celebrate.
Instead of feeling attacked, why not think that's great?
For there's Christmas and Chanukah for the Jews among us
And Kwanzaa and New Year and merry Festivus.
So call out "Merry Christmas," but don't feel offended
When the cashier says "Happy Holidays." Offense is not intended.
For there's no "War on Christmas" to keep from stopping you
To celebrate everything Christmas means to you
But while you recall the birth of Jesus C.
Remember there are many reasons to have a Christmas tree.
So love your family, pray for a world that's good
And keep the spirit of peace just as you should.