The other thing I found interesting was that the holiday in
December - you know the one I'm talking about - that holiday that causes so
much turmoil in the United States because some people (a very small majority)
take offense to the fact that it's a Christian religious holiday - is actually
and officially called "Christmas" on the list of Federal
holidays. I find it even more
interesting that it hasn't been changed yet.
I'm sure many attempts have been made to do just that but the 2013
Federal Holiday Schedule is posted below.
As you can see - as of now it's still listed as "Christmas"
next year.
Day Date Holiday
Tuesday January 1 New Year's Day
Monday January 21 Martin Luther King's Birthday
Monday February 18 George Washington's Birthday
Monday May 27 Memorial Day
Thursday July 4 Independence Day
Monday September 2 Labor Day
Monday October 14 Columbus Day
Monday November 11 Veterans' Day
Thursday November 28 Thanksgiving Day
Wednesday December 25 Christmas Day
My point is that with all the turmoil about saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas", with Christmas plays being cancelled because of complaints, and with Christian decorations being banned and removed from public places, to date our Federal government not only recognizes Christmas as a holiday but by not changing the title of it, it still is a religious holiday. Regardless of the commercialization of it and the attempted destruction of it by atheists and others, the actual holiday is still called Christmas by our government, which makes it perfectly reasonable to wish people "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays."
I find the intolerance of the Christian Christmas holiday laughable and sad
at the same time. It seems non-believers
are somewhat thin-skinned. I have never
been offended if a Jewish person wishes me a "Happy Hanukkah" or if I
am wished a "Happy Kwanza" by someone who follows those teachings, or
by any other person wishing me well on a holiday they celebrate. I've always believed they are simply
attempting to share the happiness of their season/holiday with me. Why would I be offended by that? I doubt I'd be offended by an atheist wishing
me well on one of their holidays either except they don't have any. As far as I know they don't have any special
days for their own beliefs and since the word "holiday" comes from
the root word "holy", it stands to reason they wouldn't call it that
anyway. However, I have never met an
atheist who doesn't celebrate the Christmas season (and other holidays) and/or
take the allotted time off from work for them as allowed, even if they don't
call it "Christmas". They may
be out there but I've never met one.
The bottom line for me is this... I am not offended if you choose not to
celebrate Christmas as the birth of our Lord and Savior. It's really up to you whether or not you
believe that or whether or not you even acknowledge He exists. But you should understand this - when I wish
you a Merry Christmas I'm wishing you the same joy and happiness that I feel during
the Christmas season. My joy comes from
knowing and believing in Jesus Christ - his birth, his life, and his
sacrificial death for me. You don't have
to be afraid of that joy. It' possible
that it's contagious but I promise it won't hurt you. And you don't always have to fear things you don't
understand. True Christians are
harmless. Oh, they may try to change
your beliefs given the chance, but that won't hurt you either. In fact, it could very well save your life!
A very Merry Christmas to all.
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