Holiday tree?
- December 12, 2008 10:26 AM |
- By Your Voice
David Borzykowski is a master's student in political studies at the University of Manitoba.
He offers his take on the holiday season and what he sees as political correctness gone awry.
"In Quebec there was an incident with the Premier's office. They sent out a press release referring to the legislature Christmas tree as a Christmas tree but soon retracted that statement and called it a 'holiday tree.' This is totally absurd and actually kind of offensive for the people that don't celebrate Christmas. I'm a Jew and I don't have a Christmas tree or a holiday tree. These politicians are trying to be overly politically correct by calling their tree a holiday tree. This is a quote from the CBC article about the incident:
'We must respect culture, we must be open to the world," said Natural Resources Minister Claude Béchard. "We are an inclusive society here in Quebec. For me, it's a Christmas tree but to others it's a holiday tree.'
What others? I don't know anyone that does not celebrate Christmas that has a tree. That's because only people that celebrate Christmas have trees. I recognize that there may be people out there that are not Christians that have trees, but they are not celebrating some other holiday with a Christmas tree, they are celebrating Christmas. I don't celebrate Chanukah with a Christmas tree.
Why do I have to be included with the holiday tree? Holidays are great, and the people that celebrate Christmas should be happy that they do and should be happy that their government is lighting a tree that signifies their beliefs. All the other religions are in the minority in Canada and we all need to recognize that there are a majority of Christians and that they should be able to light the tree at the legislature. In Winnipeg there is also the lighting of the Menorah at city hall, do we have to start calling it a holiday candelabra?
To me this is all political correctness gone all wrong, it happens every year and it gets more annoying every year. Call it a Christmas tree that is what it is. Happy Holidays to everyone who is celebrating something, and happy December to the rest!"
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Comments (67)
THANK YOU for this! Political correctness is getting way out of hand! We should celebrate our differences, and embrace what makes our Canadian population unique! There is zero need to start generalizing all of the Christmas terms into something that is "suitable for everyone". It is a pity stuff like this has to happen, because all it is really doing is destroying the unique and diverse Canadian culture we all cherish
We need a linguist to comment on this.
If a word has been used for a long time,it becomes the accepted term, right?
Most Christian traditions adopted pagan rituals.
This helped the missionaries and high priests to bring them into their fold.
Many people have Christmas trees but they don't believe in Christ. They see it all as a holiday. But not a holy day. Its a time to get together with family. Eat turkey with stuffing, gravy and cranberries and open presents that were put under 'the tree", occasionally referred to as the Christmas tree. but, usually referred to as "the tree". Like.... have you got your "tree" yet. Or... are we getting a "tree" this year.?
And... your "tree" is lovely.!
This is the sanest thing I have read in a long time. I have always wanted to ask people who were talking about holiday trees, which holiday the tree was for.
I don't celebrate Christmas, I celebrate Yule (aka. Winter Solstice). I celebrate the turning of the Wheel of the Year, which brings the beginning of the lengthening days, the returning sun and the warmth that will come with it. I put up a Yule tree as part of the celebrations. The tree is full of lights, in honour of the returning light of the sun, and decorations that harken back to the original fruits, nuts and berries which were used to decorate Yule trees in an act of Pagan magick that ensured the abundantly fruitful continuity of the seasons and the human spirit.
You don't hear me whining when people call it a Holiday tree, or even complaining when folks like you want to call it a Christmas tree. This silly issue comes up every year. Stop trying to pretend you are being victimized because some people want to use a more inclusive term. Just share the light and let it go.
Happy Yule
I applaud David's comments. I totally respect different religious faiths being able to celebrate their own holidays, with their own symbols and with their own correct names whether in private or public places. As a Christian I would ask the same respect as Christmas trees are a part of our symbolism. It makes our culture all the richer.
Hear Hear! To many gray areas in the world now a days. It is what it is. Are we or are we not the open to all cultures here in canads. Well if we are then we all need to move ot acepting every culture or belif.
I believe the government was right to re-name it a "Holiday Tree". It's public space, therefore EVERYTHING should be generic and have no religious affiliation. However, I think there is something to be said to people who would actually make a big issue of this. It should be as simple as someone pointing out "you might want to make it a holiday tree.", rather then "you big racist government, someone of us don't do Christmas...". I believe that kind of response would truly be "political correctness gone awry."
Happy Holidays! And to ALL a good night.
Krav the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season to be Kravy,
Krav la la la la, la la la la.
Christmas Tree. What's so hard about that? I grew up in a multicultural society in the 70's and I don't recall such controversy as we have today. There is such a thing as 'too PC'. Personally I find it incredibly stressful always having to make sure I 'say the right thing'. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
You're right. I'm an atheist but I don't mind Christmas trees. Diversity should be about sharing/learning from all religions and cultures and taking the best practices for our society. There's no need to shut out Christians. Let's just recognize other holidays as well.
Happy Holidays.
Peace.
Political correctness is going too far."Inclusiveness" is a "buzz-word used by politicians hoping to gain votes. Perhaps non-Christians don't want to be included in Christian festivities.Some may find this artificial inclusion offensive;even suggestive that their own religion or beliefs are lacking in some way.Lets call it a Christmas tree(although some will know that it was a pagan symbol adopted by Christianity but that is another story)!
Mostly I agree with your sentiments - except for the part about Christians being the only ones with trees around this time of year. Actually the Christmas tree is a bastardization of the Pagan Yule tree. As a Pagan, I have a Yule tree every year, and all my Christian friends call it whatever they want. Sticks and stones you know.
It always was and always be a CHRISTMAS TREE!!!
There is no such thing as a holiday tree - what does that mean anyway? And what about Easter? Do we have holiday eggs? Or maybe the holiday bunny? It's long overdue that we take back our traditions and identify them accordingly.
The quest to recognize and respect all religions and peoples does not mean that everything traditional to Canada needs to be eliminated.
What holiday is the tree celebrating? Christmas, case closed.
If someone can't handle that and is offended by that so be it. Religious tolerance is a two way street and coming into this country and taking offense that we celebrate a different holiday is akin to me going to Antarctica to complain that it's cold.
It is absurd and politicians would help themselves by growing a spine and focusing on something that actually matters to people like say, the economy perhaps?
Good submission!
Personally, I don't see what's wrong with getting a Christmas card from someone who celebrates Christmas or a Hannukah card from someone who celebrates Hannukah.
Far too many people get highly offended over the smallest things. PC gone mad.
Maybe we all just think too much. Why can we not have, a holiday without complications, why can we not just relax? We are under so much control in our lives already, why do we have to be stripped of everything we say and do?
A lot of families have been in Canada for many generations, no one can take that away, instead of pleasing everyone I will please myself and say Merry Christmas, and call my tree a Christmas tree.
I will not allow anyone to try and make me feel like every thing is politically incorrect, that saying is old let's move on, as well. I am sure every one likes time off of work, that seems okay, no one complains about that.
I have only known one Christmas, sometimes I get sick and tired of it, but on the other hand, this is the only holiday that I see true kindness, come out of people, be it religious or not.
Do not change what others have established from generations of people who built this country, do not forget they had nothing but strong wells,and the desire for a better life, be true to you self, do not forget about love and good well.
-what's all this about a 'holiday tree'.
It's a Christmas tree for heaven's sake. Get used to it.
Have you every heard of a Christmas that harmed anyone????????
I notice it's quite impossible to find "Christmas" cards. They wish "Season's Greetings" and "Happy Holidays".
You know those boxes of 20 or 30 wonderful looking cards you see at stores like Costco? Not a one mentions Christmas. Santa on the cover? Forget get it, it dare not mention the Christian part of of this "holiday".
Is Jesus still "in" or is the name banned?
David,
Thank you so much for your clarity of expression and inter-religious understanding. I have written several times on this subject but never so eloquently as you.
As a Catholic, it feels really good to have someone from another faith speak on what I feel is "my behalf". If only the rest of us could adopt your attitude when it comes to the celebrations of other minority faiths.
God bless, Sean Moore, Ottawa
Bravo, bravo, bravo, BRAVO!
We are celebrating Christmas. The name of the holiday with which the tree is now principally associated is "Christmas".
It is a "Christmas tree". And as such it offends no-one but those who want to be offended. There is another linguistic point extremely material to this debate.
One evades nothing by calling the tree a "holiday tree". The word "holiday" comes from the words "holy day"; the word and concept both very much in the tradition with which the Christmas tree is associated.
There were no times-off in Europe and Great Britain for centuries, other than those associated with the Christian Church or the royal families seen as the representatives of the Christian God.
Do our atheists want to wish one another happy holy days? The rest of us will not mind. And it will be a great deal less cumbersome than the more accurate "Happy days upon which we need not work much and everyone's having a mysterious party...".
Thank you, all, for some good sense on this much-too-worked-over topic.
Merry Christmas.
Christmas is a very spiritual holiday for Christians which invites everyone, including anyone who may have different beliefs or faiths, to share in this celebration of love and peace.
The tree is only a decoration for this holiday but I do wonder who really is making the biggest deal about calling it a "Holiday Tree".
It rarely seems to be anyone of a different faith that is offended by the name "Christmas Tree", which is recognized and called just that by many people of different faiths and cultures who live in Canada.
It is funny that calling it a "Christmas Tree" during Christmas time seems to be respected by the people that our elected are trying to not offend.
Multiculturalism is for all of us, including Christians.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!
See, we can say both!
Tough subject. I sometimes feel like a minority in my own country.
When my children were in school the yearly Christmas play came around and it was now called the "festive season". OK, I guess.
The children were learning how other cultures celebrated Christmas. I even learned a few things from their homework. I am a very tolerant person.
Where I lost it was when my children came home with their lines that they had to memorize for the play and the name Jesus was blacked out with magic marker.
OK now that is enough. "Festive Season", multiculturaism, what happened to my own celebration beliefs and how dare the teacher black out the name of Jesus all through the script.
Outrageous political correctness. What would happen if another non christian religious icon was blacked out of the script?
I'm a Pastor in an Evangelical, New Testament, Jesus-lovin' Christian Church and couldn't care either way about this.
What a stupid thing to fight over...stick a tree up and call it what you want. In Calgary, in Chinatown, I see many religious "idols" and incense burning...do I call the HEY-THIS-IS-A-CHRISTIAN-COUNTRY-POLICE on them ..?
No, I say celebrate, worship, believe in whatever you want (within legal parameters) and let others do so too.
If (we) believe and celebrate with gusto and cheer, maybe people would "convert" if that's (our) goal?
As for me, I have a Christmas tree inside decorated with trinkets from China, incense made by temple priests in India burning, pretty lights outside...again from China and I'll enjoy an English Christmas Dinner. We'll swap a few gifts too but mostly we give cards telling people we've made donations to KIVA, The Mustard Seed, Save-a-Kid in their name....
Last point, all you Christians out there...celebrate with joy today and tomorrow, because maybe the day after you won't be able to. Quit moaning about it!!
I wish we could continue calling it a Christmas tree and that it was only reserved for Christians!
I live in Turkey, population 98% Moslem. I cringe every year when i go in to the supermarkets and see people buying trees and ornaments galore.
They call it a new years tree! Here Santa comes on New years eve and presents are opened the following day. Another case of people getting caught up in the consumerist plague of what Christmas has become.
It is great to see other Pagans posting comments and I would have to agree with all of them.
I don't celebrate Christmas but I do have a tree(I call it the Yule tree). However it doesn't bother me at all when people call it the Christmas tree, and holiday tree just sounds... odd.
That being said I think it is important for people to investigate where symbols, that they invest so much stock in, come from.
Happy Holidays!
Don't forget the word "Holiday" has evolved from the word "Holy Day", and Christians put up Christmas Trees and other symbols when celebrating Christmas which is one of their "Holy Days".
I say "Merry Christmas", but if someone wishes me A Happy Holiday, I accept the good wishes for my "Holy Day".
We need to concentrate on spreading the joy of the season and the love for one another, and not try to make it a dividing issue. Bless all of you whatever Holy Day you are celebrating.
Hmmm... A Christmas Tree is a Holiday Tree. So I guess we're all people with no culture, no gender, and no sexuality.
I think the government's being very hypocritical. They support the GLBT movement, telling them to embrace their identity. They tell immigrants to celebrate their culture. They tell most religions to celebrate their religion... but look at the message they're giving with this.
Let's take identity out of everything! This is what the government's doing. They're not being 'inclusive', they're being exclusive, by excluding everyone, no one can complain!
We're all in the same boat! Does anyone else see a problem with this? Next thing we know we're going to be calling Menorahs 'Holiday Candle Holders'.
I must agree with the author 100%. Relax and enjoy the season and quit worrying about offending people.
I have no desire to tell minorities which customs to follow and I suspect they have little desire to tell me what customs to follow.
The world has many problems to be solved so let us not make up problems that don't exist.
Yes! boy's and girl's...it really IS a CHRISTMAS TREE and NOT a HOLIDAY TREE.
Political correctness is out of control and if our gutless politicians are too chicken to stand up for CANADA, then I guess those of us who were born and raised on Christian values here in CANADA will have to do it for them!
MERRY CHRISTMAS to ALL! Even to those who take offense at the phrase MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
But wait - political correctness is supposed to solve all the worlds problems, or at least make sure that nobody can be offended by anything. So how is it possible that renaming a Christmas tree could offend anyone?
Could it be that political correctness is nonsense? Changing the words doesn't change the facts. Religion will always cause division, even if you change the words to pretend a Christmas tree isn't a Christian symbol. The government is still displaying a Christian symbol, which is bound to upset some people.
If we're pretending that we have separation of church and state, why is the statutory holiday December 25th?
Merry Christmas everyone!
It is a CHRISTMAS TREE...it is Christmas time, they are Christmas parties, we have Christmas sales, we say Merry Christmas!! I am so sick and tired of this HOLIDAY crap.
It is a Christian celebration called Christmas. Those who are not Christians do not celebrate Christmas and that's ok. This political correctness has gone way too far.
We needed PC very badly. We needed to give more respect to each other, which I think is the purpose of Political correctness...but come on!!! No matter how hard to try not to offend someone we will. There will always be someone who will take offense.
We should respect all cultures but not at the risk of losing our own!! People should be free to celebrate their own "holiday" in whichever way they chose....but please don't take away the Christmas concert in schools, don't stop singing Christmas Carols...this country was founded on Christian values these traditions are part of our heritage and we welcome all who wish to participate and respect those who do not.
So Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!
Petty issues in gravely serious times ...
A thoughtful article until the last paragraph. If you really believe the preceding you should wish people who celebrate Christmas with Merry Christmas not Happy Holidays. The latter can be used for all those who do not celebrate the Christmas season.
It should be called Christmans Tree.
It is not a regular holiday, it is Christmas for those who celebrate it; therefore, it should be called what it is, "Christmas Tree".
Otherwise, we should call every other religious celebration a holiday - not Happy Hannukah, but Happy Holiday, or not Ramadan but Happy Holiday. How picky and silly we have become.
And, why is it that we should always please the other minorities. Nobody is forcing them to celebrate Christmas, in the same way that nobody is stopping them from celebrating their own religious holidays.
Some people want to have their cake and eat it too.
Of course it's a Christmas Tree, although the tradition of the tree is not even linked to the religious aspects of the birth of Christ and the reason for the season.
The tragedy of the "loss" of Christmas is that political correctness, not objections from non-Christians, is making people choose "holiday" instead of "Christmas" in exchanging greetings.
Just yesterday I met a Jew who was a soldier in the Israeli army who wished me a Merry Christmas. A Jew wishing a Hindu Merry Christmas says a whole lot about who we are.
And by the I way a have a nicely decorated tree in my home - and it's a Christmas Tree.
Merry Christmas to all Canadian. I don't know why Canadian should give up their value and tradition in order to be more tolerant?
For me I'm immigrant who accept this culture when I applied to the immigration, so how can I be offended by calling it Christmas tree!
it's a Christmas tree, that means this is a Christmas a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, not a nature holiday, or holiday seasons.. or any other name.. Merry Christmas to all of you.. and happy new year.
To anyone that can't handle the term "Christmas tree" you are not worth my time!
It's a Christmas tree - period! I agree with the author the pendulum has swung way to far. As a Christian I'm starting to find this whole issue offensive.
It's about Christ and the celebration of HIS birth into our broken world and the promises He brings. I love people of all race or religion (with the exception of extremists - which haunt all races and religions).
If you are a Muslim - then celebrate Ramadan or whatever your tradions are. If you're Jewish then celebrate Chanukah with joy...and so on. I/we Christians respect that.
With all due respect...Please respect our CHRISTmas traditions. In a broken and hurting world - what is gained by arguing and disputing such trivial things? It's time to take back Christmas. If you're offended - get over it and move on to things that matter.
If you tuly want to dispute Christmas - why not challenge all Christians to bring it back to what it was - a time of faith, hope and joy - and a time to share Christ's love through love, kindness and respect to all people - no matter what their background or religious beliefs.
Challenge us to make a difference in this world - and shift away from the 'gross commercialism' that Christmas has become?
Thank you David so much for voicing what so many of us are thinking! Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. You either believe it or you don't. If you believe in something else - then fine - but don't try to destroy what I believe in.
I have always maintained that Christmas should be celebrated with traditions that have evolved over the years - and become accepted by Christians as part of their festival - Christmas Trees included!!
Political correctness is only designed for one thing, and that's to garner the votes of the "minority" portion of our country's population.
Why do politicians continue to ignore the voice of the majority? I'll tell you, because the minority's shout is louder!!
As a Christian, I prefer things to do with Christ to keep their names, but when it comes to the tree it's not Christian anyway, so call it whatever makes you comfortable. However for me this is definately the Advent season. I'm still waiting until December 24th before there is going to be Christ's mass!
Such trees are actually used to celebrate holidays other than Christmas. In Russia, for instance, our so-called Christmas tree is known as a "yolka," which is a diminutive form of "spruce." They are used in New Year's celebrations, not Christmas celebrations, as Christmas has not really been celebrated in a public way for quite some time (though it is making a comeback). Besides, the Christmas tree as we know it may itself have pre-Christian routes. It wasn't until Martin Luther in the 16th century that it became a symbol of Christmas. Perhaps a reclaiming of the trees alternative meanings and names--Yule tree, for instance--would be an interesting undertaking.
As for the issue of political correctness... I have no problem with people calling it a Christmas tree, but if you are going to do that that you need to also be ready for public displays of other religious holidays. The form of secularism practised in Canada does not forbid public displays of religion, though it does (or at least should) demand that all religious displays be treated equally. The same should be true of the Government. If the Government wants to put a Christmas tree, it should not be hostile of requests from other religious groups to celebrate their holidays. Regardless of the fact that a majority of Canadians identify as Christians, fairness is the name of the game--this is what political correctness should be about.
I don't think it's an issue of political correctness so much as a marketing ploy. Christmas has become overly commercialised and would do well to focus on its root as a holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus. And I'm saying that as a Jew. I used to feel a slight tinge when someone would wish me a Merry Christmas, but that's because I was thinking about it too much as I see the word Christ so prominent in this Holy Day's name. 90% of wellwishers are just hoping that I receive nice presents. Which brings me back to the notion of Happy Holidays being a way to commercialise other holidays, initially Hanukkah. 8 days of presents? It has become a reality only over the past generation. And don't think it'll stop there; I've already seen Ramadan ads.
I agree 100%. The name of the holiday is Christmas...so let's call a spade a spade.
I was baffled when I heard about the 'holiday' tree on the news. This political correctness is totally absurd and insulted me, a practicing Muslim. I was insulted because what ended up happening is that people thought it's due to minorities that this conversion occurred. This has led to an anti-immigrant sentiment and many times at work I have been asked what I think is wrong with Christmas. PLEASE UNDERSTAND: NO minority is "offended" when you use the word Christmas...it is a holiday...be proud of your holiday and call it by it's name...blame the politicians not the minorities...by the way I give out Christmas cards to my work collegues as i do enjoy celebrating different religious holidays.
Hooray. I feel like I'm the one being discriminated against now because of all the hubbub about using the word Christmas. I will continue to wish store clerks and strangers I meet "Merry Christmas" and will continue to call it a "Christmas Tree" and to hell with those I may offend because that don't care about offending me.
Thank you, David, for such a refreshing article. It really does feel like political correctness gone out of control. I am a Ukrainian who grew up in Estonia along with many other Russian-speaking folk. Most of us had a "tree" for New Years and excitedly awaited "Grandpa Freeze" to come and bring us presents on the stroke of midnight. Along side with us, were Lutherans celebrating Christmas with a Christmas tree. Orthodox Christians also celebrated Christmas but on a whole different date. All I remember growing up though was holiday cheer. There was a lot of respect for others and their believes and curiosity about their culture. Culture was celebrated, not generalized. So here, in Canada, in one of most multi-cultural country in the world, shouldn't we do the same? Let's stop worrying about political correctness and have ourselves a good time over the holidays. A tree, as many Pagans here pointed out, is a sign of the season. It's tall and graceful when it stands tall. It sparkles when covered with snow and illuminated in moon light. Winter is a difficult season to get through, so let's enjoy any time we may have off work and school and be with our families.
A menorah is not a Holiday Candlestick and a Christmas tree is not a Holiday tree.
Happy Festivus for the restivus!!!
It would be interesting to see just which religions and ethnic groups here in CANADA take offense at the terms "Merry Christmas and "Christmas tree" or even the greeting "Merry Chrstmas"!
Seems perhaps we need to start paying close attention to that if any CANADIAN traditions are to survive all this "political correctness"!
It is a Christmas tree, and for us it always will be a Christmas tree, if there are some that don't like it as such, that is fine as well,but respect and tolerate our customs, as you wish us to respect and tolerate yours, this is only fare. We were watching Global TV the other day and they had a story about a charitable gathering of Christmas trees that people could vote for, and $ would go to charity, yet the reporter couldn't say Christmas trees to any part of the report,very sad in deed, they have lost us as viewers! Dan de Lench.
Merry Masa’il
Merry Sharaf
Merry Day of Hajj (Day at ‘Arafat)
Merry Eid al-Adha
Merry Maunajiyaras
Merry Chanukah
Merry Tohji-taisai
Merry Kwanzaa
And MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!!
I don't think I forgot anyone, and I apologize if I did.
To the politicians and Law makers in Ottawa, I wish you none of the above.
For the past several years, I've listened to the "happy holidays" ringing through the office and watched the "holiday tree" being decorated. Even websites extole the "happy holidays" greeting. I refuse to purchase Christmas cards that read "season's greetings" or "happy holidays". Good grief!
As a Christian, the reason we have a holiday at this time of the year is to celebrate the birth of Christ. Let us enjoy this time with our families and friends and remember the real reason for the "season". Merry Christmas to everyone!!! :-)
I'm with all the others who say IT IS A CHRISTMAS TREE!!!This political correctness is gone WAY TOO FAR!!!! Whatever happened to TRADITION???? Nowadays the schools no longer have "Christmas Concerts" they have Holiday concert/celebrations. The way I see it is like this......If you are living in CANADA (you probably choose to live here in our wonderful country) you have 2 choices...(1) you can do things the way we CANADIANS do it or (2) Do you own thing but stop trying to change OUR TRADITIONS........To all those who celebrate Christmas I hope you have a wonderful Christmas........ MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! GOTTA GO DECORATE OUR CHRISTMAS TREE!!!!
My decision would be to call:
A spade a spade,
For a special event I would call it ---
An Easter tree, A Christmas tree,
A Halloween tree, A baptismal tree,
An umbrella tree, A bridal tree,
BUT for the most part I would present it as a wonderful creation of GOD - our Jesus, to be enjoyed by all in this world to be adorned by human kind in any fashion we wish to utilize it.
PEACE, GOD BLESS, AND MERRY CHRISTMAS
AMEN TO ALL
Could not agree anymore. A Christmas tree is a Christmas tree. How anoying it is to see the insecurity of certain people whom try to show the world that they agree with everything to the extent of changing even the vocabulary, maybe in hope to get another vote ...Keep politics and religions apart they do not marry well .It is ridicule and it is time to stop. In Canada we were colonized by Christians and embraced Christianity with its traditions and customs even if other people come afterwords with their forein traditions does not give the right to strip us from ours/Even if your an an atheist or Jewish like Mr Borzykowski does not change the name of the most beloved and beautiful Christmas tree that we put up every year to celebrate the birth of Christ and that also decorate quite tastefully our entourage .It sparkles ,brightens up the street and contrasts with the merry cold winter. It lightens up people's heart and puts them in a merrier mood. Christmas invites people to give, to share and to remind us to love one another to sit around a table with family and friends,to reflect.
So let us remeemmber who we are and what the Christmas tree means to us it is a point where we can do emptiness forgive and hope all together beeing inspired around the Christmas tree .
Canadians - stand up for your right to say Merry Christmas and Christmas tree this is why we have the time off to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Merry Christmas felow Canadians.
Thank you sir for making it clear to everyone that it is not offending to you or others that Christians have had this tradition for the last four hundred years and Happy Hanukkah to you.
Sincerely
Claude Chalifour
To All My Liberal/NDP /Socialist Friends:
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make Canada great. Not to imply that Canada is necessarily greater than any other country in the Western Hemisphere.
Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.
To all my other Friends:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I agree with you...calling it a holiday tree is absurd. In an effort to not offend or exclude anyone they managed to offend anyone with any common sense.
Yep, it's a CHRISTMAS tree alright! "But it's something that Christians borrowed from pagans, like so much else of Christmas!" the pagans object. It's certainly true that so much of our Christmas traditions do have a pre-Christian origin, including the hanging of greenery...but the Christmas tree is NOT of pagan origin! "Yes, it is! It comes from the ancient Germans!" Well, Germans, yes; ancient, no. There is no evidence that the Germans were using Christmas trees prior to the 16th century! They got the Christmas tree from the miracle plays (Church dramas performed to mark holidays in the late Middle Ages) that were performed on the Feast of Adam and Eve (December 24). This was never an official Christian holiday, but the common people thought it was appropriate to have (right before the birthday of the saviour of humanity) a holiday celebrating the pair who messed up the human race. The miracle play on December 24 was about the Garden of Eden story, with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the tree of life (an evergreen, of course) as important props. These props were decorated with fake communion wafers and (of course) apples. For some reason, Rheinland folks started setting up their own Adam and Eve trees at home during the course of the 16th century, and even as late as the 19th century, people in Bavaria were not calling Christmas trees "tannenbaumen", but "Paradise Trees", reflecting the miracle play origin. And, in German settled areas of the USA, until late in the 19th century, a Christmas tree was considered not well decorated unless there were figures of Adam and Eve at the base of the tree, and a snake entwined around the trunk (the origin of garland, perhaps?).
So, yes, there are plenty of pagan connections to Christmas celebrations; but the Christmas tree ain't one of 'em!
I do not agree in political corectness to such an extent. A Christmas Tree is the Christmas Tree and please non Christian do not interfere in our TRADITION !!!!
Sorry,
wishing Merry Christmas and Happiest New Year 2009
Let us Christian to celebrate our Sacred Holidays - Christmas and Christmas Tree... (sic!).
Attacking the Tradition of Christmas is cruel like Attacking Christian in The Roman Empire long long time ago.
Who was the nut job that decided to call it "the holidays" anyway. What is "the holidays"? Would we even care if no one had decided to make CHRISTMAS a holiday. If someone wants to give me a day off for hanukka or ramadan I would be more than happy to say merry ramadan or happy hanukka no questions asked or any quid pro quo expected. Listening to these political correctacons using "the holiday" phrase is ruining christmas for me, thank you very much.
The reason, I think, that the pressure is on to sustitute 'Holiday' for 'Christmas'; ie] "Happy Holidays", Holiday Tree", "Holiday presents", "Holiday food", etc. is, in fact to make this period a shared holiday time for all. Detached from any religious sentiment at the public level. Everyone is thus welcomed and encouraged to join in on the glut of consumerist drive - that makes our lives so meaningful at this time of year. As well as making the biggest spenders the most supportive of the economy - er, country...thus easily revealing the true patriots and good citizens amongst us. Happy Happy to You All.
Excellent piece. Very sane. In my house, we are distinctly non-Christian. Yet we celebrate a holiday we call "Christmas" - complete with tree, food, family, strong spiritual underpinnings, and traditional Christmas music. And the JingleCats, but don't tell anyone. Regardless of our religious affiliation, we are definitely celebrating a holiday called "Christmas", not some other holiday, the tree we put up is called "Christmas Tree".
What gets me is the retail advertising (on television and radio and in stores) that so assiduously avoids using the word "Christmas" anywhere. Holy Hannah, you guys... nearly everyone who walks into the store to buy a gift in December is buying it for - you guessed it - CHRISTMAS. so it's okay to use the word. Really. That weaselly "happy holidays" greeting is so galling it made me cringe every time I heard it this year.
exactly my friend, muslims and jews dont use a tree to celebrate there holidays, this has gone to far on this one
seriously! its a christmas tree! not any holiday tree. wy are christians the only religion being punished? this is absurd!
merry CHRISTMAS!
Regardless of it's origins Christmas tree has always been a Christmas tree.
To call it something else other than that is absurd. It's like getting Season's Greetings pr Holiday greetings rather than Christmas card. Wait! we already do that. Wake up people, politicians have no traditions except for "vote-mas" or "vote-anukah"
One question, how many of you continue to shop for your "Christmas" gifts at retailers that insult you with the term Holidays?
Try it, see how quickly the word Christmas enters they're vocabulary again. As Christians we need to stick together.
Merry Christmas