Christmas

My wife Kathy and I have decided not to have a traditional Christmas tree this holiday season though she has already completed our decorating. As always, her magic touch makes the holiday season very special with unique handcrafted items. Some years we have a traditional tree, sometimes we don't.

But pholks, I will tell you that the next time we have a tree for the Christmas season, it will be called a Christmas trees, not a "holiday tree" or some other politically correct label.

All this fuss about using the term "Holiday" instead of Christmas is stupid, and in my opinion just another example of what a screwed up society we have become.

Those who advocate taking Christ out of Christmas because it favors Christians have no common sense. If they don't want to celebrate the birth of Christ that's their business. But no, they want to celebrate and have a good time, buy and receive gifts, and attend parties and enjoy shopping. And even if they don't want to do any of that, it's okay too.

Do their own thing. I don't care. More power to them. If they want to take their ball and go home that's just fine. Personally I don't like to offend anyone although I know I have done so many times but the vast majority of the time it has been unintentional.

The issue of Santa Claus and all the merchandising that goes with Christmas these days is another issue. I don't think I know of a person who hasn't said, at one time or another, that the true meaning of Christmas has or is being lost. To argue the point is like preaching to the choir, as they say. I know people who refuse to use Santa on greeting cards or use any Santa stuff in their home decor. That's all right with me. I actually admire that, now that I'm not afraid of Santa finding out that I believe in him only in spirit. I do believe in Santa, in my own way, but that's another story for another time. The point is that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ and we should be free to celebrate that any way we want. If we want to.

World wide there are hundreds of religions and beliefs most of which I know little about. But I would be out of line telling any of them what to believe or that their beliefs offend me. I probably would not understand most of their languages but I'm confident I would get their message. So when I say to those who want to remove any mention of the real meaning of Christmas, I might use some words that shouldn't be used at Christmas, or any other time.

Is it wrong for the White House to have a Christmas tree? Does the Supreme Court and its staff have to have a "Holiday Party" and must schools take a "Holiday" vacation the last week of December?

Pholks if we want to change things about the Christmas holiday season, why not do something about fruit cakes, salad shooters or Chia heads?

As it always seems to happen, things get out of hand. Why not cancel Thanksgiving because we don't want to offend turkeys or to do away with Veterans Day because those of us who aren't veterans are being discriminated against?

Sound stupid? You bet it does.

I expect to buy Christmas presents, to get Christmas presents, maybe send "Christmas" cards, and to eat Christmas cookies. I will sing and listen to White Christmas and let someone know that all I want for Christmas is two front teeth (and a few more) and I don't care who doesn't like it.

I intend to have a Merry Christmas and I wish the same to all you pholks.