Posted by
Patrick Henry on Monday, December 21, 2009 2:32:27 PM
In an age where the greeting "Merry Christmas" is scorned by many as politically incorrect, I take special
pleasure in saying it to everyone. Unlike so many who seem to have forgotten, I still remember and revere
the origins and meaning of this special holiday season. And attempts to de-Christianize America by the
president. atheists, liberals and the ACLU make me all the more determined to proclaim the birth of Jesus
as the watershed event of history, whether anyone else likes it or not.
Now, remember that we're not living in a "Christian nation." The president said so in his pandering anti-
American manifesto delivered to applauding Muslim throngs in Cairo. I'm sure he's right. That's why
Christmas is still a universal American holiday, including the federal government, and why nearly 80% of'
those in the country who profess a religion say they are Christian. It's why we have the inscription "In God
We Trust" on our currency, why the Ten Commandments still grace court buildings in states like Oklahoma
and why the pledge of allegiance to the American flag includes the phrase "one nation, under God." Note
that it doesn't say "under allah," or under "the spirit of goodness."
It is said by PC devotees that open profession of Christian faith is offensive to those of other faiths or those
who reject faith altogether. In the true spirit of the season, my response is, "Tough beans!" Those who make a
vocation of being "offended" bystatements of belief and value contrary to their own only demonstrate their
own insecurity and intolerance. There is nothing ambivalent in respecting and honoring the faith of others
while steadfastly proclaiming your own. I have Jewish friends. Quite a number of them, actually. I have
observed Hanukkah with them, eaten the seder passover meal in their homes and attended their Bar
Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs. I wish them "blessed Hanukkah," although I do it when it really is Hanukkah
that ends the week before Christmas, not as a lame substitute for what I really want to say. I also wish them
Merry Christmas, and they do the same to me. Different choices need not imply disrespect or cause one to
behave dishonestly for the sake of apperances.
At Christmas time I, like millions of other Americans, give gifts to my friends and relatives, regardless of
their faith. And I have never had a one of them refuse such a proffer because they were offended by it. The
spirit of giving did not simply spring from a vacuum or become tradition because of some compelling television
promotion of Zhu Zhu Pets. And it certainly did not arise out of Islam or the seminal beneficence of the
world of unbelievers. It arises, rather, from the biblical notion that in the birth of Jesus God gave humanity
an unmatchable and miraculous gift. He gave, and so, at this season, so do we. Now, of course you san waltz
in after the fact and substitute your own reasons -- your native generosity, perhaps, or cultural tradition, or
the need for self-actualization. All are wonderful rationalizations. They can ignore history, but try as they might,
they can never undo it.
I know that the White House no longer refers to its holiday gathering as a "Christmas party," and given its
preference would feature the ACLU a capella choir in some hideous rendiion of their favorite Christmas song,
"O Come Let Us Ignore Him." But even to them, in fact ESPECIALLY to them, I say, "Merry Christmas."
If they are offended by my faith, I am equally offended by their lack of it. It is time for Christians to drive
a stake in the ground and declare an end to retreat. If liberal politicians and anti-religious bigots wish to exhibit
base ingratitude by scorning the heritage that provided every blessing they enjoy, then let them play the fool.
We, however, need not suffer fools gladly. The true miracle of Christmas is not some half-baked monstrosity
of a tax-raising healthcare reform bill rammed through in the middle of the night due to bribes paid to salivating
senators. It is still the one that happened in Bethlehem over twenty centuries ago. Have a very, very merry
Christmas, and know that you are in the company of millions worldwide, and in THIS Christian nation, who
will be shairng it with you.