This picture to my right is the sign at the old city hall building in Denver that read “Merry Christmas” for many years. Last year Denver city officials decided that it would now read “Happy Holiday’s”
This is where my problem with the Politically Correctness comes in. The tree that is on Capital Hill and the tree at the White House. The tree at Capital Hill was renamed back in the early 90′s by the landscaper who was Jewish and said this is a “holiday tree” So for the next 15 years the tree was named Capital Hill Holiday Tree instead of the always Christmas Tree.
I am not sure why people get so bent out of shape about the whole “Holiday” verus “Christmas” title. I do understand that Christians adopted the use of trees during this time from Pagens since this is also the Winter Solstice.
My problem lies with everyone being so politically correct. You now receive Happy Holiday cards in the mall instead of the old Merry Christmas cards and I found myself buying them last year to send to some friends of mine who are Jewish but over all we know what is being celebrated when during the month of December .
Christmas was from Pagan roots it was the day of the “invincible sun”, the winter solstice 273 the Christian church selected this day to be the birth of Jesus. And January 6th was originally the date set by the Egyptians to be the Winter Solstice, but we know this day as the Epiphany/Three Kings Day and MY BIRTHDAY.The tree we now know as the Christmas tree was called a Solstice tree to the Pagans and all the things we relate to Christmas misletoe,pine cones and holly were all used in decorations to celebrate the Winter Solstice.
So even though I grew up Christian, I am not an active person in the church as an adult because of my own beliefs . I do give credit where credit is deserved and this was something I wrote a lengthy report on in high school, I tend to go on about things most people could care less about.
Then we have Kwanzaa which is not a replacement for Christmas nor is it Religious or Political. This was founded in 1966 there is some 18 million African Americans that celebrate the “First Fruits of the Harvest” and seems to be away of building a community and also help strengthen bonds between African Americans and their homeland.
No matter how much I may feel this is not a strong holiday there is 18 million people who think it is and I must respect that.
Then we have Chanukkah which I know most likely the least about and sad because I do have a lot of friends and such that are Jewish , I do know that it is the “Festival of Lights” the Candles on the Menorah are let from left to right along with the shammus candle. The act of gift giving was only introduced when Jews were more close to Christians and it was a carried over tradition.
So in reality maybe it should be a “Holiday Tree” But I think if they want to be very much PC it should be named a Solstice Tree and pay honor to the Pagans that gave us the day to celebrate.
But I truly wish that things could stay the same and people need to not take everything so personal, if it isn’t something you believe in celebrate what it is you do belive in and let well enough alone.
