Christmas, is Misnomer

'Christmas', is Misnomer.


It seems ashame, these days, to argue about Christmas.Yes,I use the 'capitalized' form in my dossier.I do not think we can equate the harmless hanging of some greenery with the separation of church and state and/or the unfair labor and black /women's rights issues.Greenery hurts no-one.The latter hurt everyone.
It has been stated that Santa Claus(being Christian presumably) only brings presents to good little Christian children.This is absurd;Santa Claus is a myth and only exists in the pocket books of parents.I cannot imagine any parent,regardless of the political and/or ethnic/religious persuasion not complying with their child's plea to Dear Old St. Nick!
Many presentations are made to our schools concerning the prohibition of Christmas.No-one ever 'forbids' these protests.My question is,why is it that others are 'forbidden' to celebrate Christmas in our schools?
In one class;children were asked to draw a picture of what they felt was the real meaning of Christmas.Many drew pictures of family,turkey,presents,giving to the less fortunate.All of these were well received and displayed in the halls of the school.One child,however,drew a picture of Christ.His was not allowed to be displayed lest someone be offended.Why was his picture 'forbidden'?Are we not a democracy with rights given to the minority?Granted,this is a 'religious' picture.But so what??This picture is that particular child's depiction of what the "real meaning" of Chistmas is! If this did not fit into the modern secular customs then it must,surely, fall within the bounds of free speech and, at least, political correctness.
People are riding around town enjoying the lights and displays at other's homes.People are thrilled to join friends and family to celebrate the holidays.I fail to understand why this cannot be translated to the classroom.One is not excluded if one joins in.
We feel,as a society, that we are 'excluding' others by the celebration of 'Christmas'.Nothing could be further from the truth.Whether it be the winter solstice,Hannuka,Kwansa,or the Muslim feast of 'winter's eve' we are all included.We come together as family and to rejoice in the coming of a new year.If it is Christ,Allah,Budda,or the evergreen tree;bless it all and may the next year bring fruitfullnes.I raise a toast!
"Christmas",however, is the wrong word to use.The early church fathers were great public relations men.What we are really celebrating is the 'winter solstice',the returning of the sun.The fervor of the solstice was turned towards the birth of Jesus and all the celebration followed.Certaintly,great music and art evolved from this.Great music and art evolve from all religions.
The customs of Christmas are as varied as the nations that observe them.Except for the creche,which originated with St. Francis,every custom is pagan to the core.The use of evergreens, as garland, was discouraged by early church leaders.The pagan customs persisted.Soon the 'Yule Log' from the Druids came into play to ensure a good harvest next year.This leads us to the tree,(Germanic),wich has no religious significance at all.
Somewhere around 354AD there was much controversy as to whether Christ was born in December or March.The Mithric feast(in Latin:"natilis invicti solis"),or the birthday of the unconquered Sun of Philocalus, was of Latin origin.
The Syrians and the Armenians accused the Romans of sun worship and idolatry.If one wants some interesting reading then read about the arguements amongst the early churchmen.It a wonder Christmas ever got off the ground!
The Puritans forbade Christmas in England in 1644.Charles the Second revived the holiday.However,Scotland adhered to the Puritan ruling.Cromwell even outlawed minced pie.How dast;an Englishman without his minced pie?
The Puritans did not celebrate Christmas when they arrived in 1620.It was not until later,when the nation started forming, that Christmas was revived due to the extensive immigrant population from all over Europe.The first celebrations were in Salem Mass.Go figure,witch trials,etc.
Eliminating the creche from schools can be justified under the ruse of 'separation of church and state'.The tree and the glitter and the joy?Why?My Grandfather had a saying;"God bless ye' merry Chamber of Commerce".They are responsible for the glitz and the glamour of Christmas.And so should it be! It is a happy time and a time of giving.No other religious groups are forbidden from displaying a panapoly of their customs.Why is that only Western customs are forbidden? If we are to be the so-called PC society we claim to be then the addition of all customs to the "winter solstice" would only augment the celebrations.
I do not hold to the quote from Scrooge that those who observe Christmas, "Should be boiled in their pudding with a spring of holly through their hearts."
We have short changed our children in the schools enough.We have cut art,music,sports,activities,and after school programs.Now the liberals want to remove Christmas.The quality of education dimishes daily.For some poor children the only Christmas they will observe is that wich they learn in public schools.Again if we are ,truly,the PC society we claim to be...?
Those of us who endeavour to lead a decent life and partake in civilized behaviour;whether it be from religious backround,ethical and/or moral standards;should be banding together instead of pulling apart over being 'offended'.We should worry about the deterioration of standards in our society,not a wreath at a school.We should worry about terrorists,not a creche on city hall lawn.Their are enough injustices in the world without worrying about a tree in the classroom..