In an attempt to get our society to recognize that the holiday we celebrate this time of year is Christmas, Kirk and Amy McElwain have launched GrinchList.com. While stores and public agencies have no problem calling Hannukah or Kwanzaa (a totally made up holiday, by the way) by their respective terms, they seem to replace “Christmas” with “holiday.” As McElwain says in an article on WND:
“Surely, no one would think of renaming the [Jewish] menorah the ‘holiday candelabra,’ nor should they. People of the other religions and cultures would never tolerate such revisionism, yet why do we? Perhaps, more importantly, why do they think they can get away with it?”
The site features a list of companies who limit or altogether shun usage of the word “Christmas,” in the name of a false diversity and multiculturalism. The McElwains also recognize those companies which embrace this part of American culture.
The recognition of this as the “holiday” season, as well as usage of the term “Xmas,” have worked to dilute the reason for celebration this time of year. It may be a bit cliche, but it’s true: Jesus is the reason for the season, and by recognizing this time of year as Christmas, it refocuses attention on what the holiday is really about.
Sad, but true. BTW, Xmas is a correct abreviation. X is the Greek letter Chi, the first letter in the word Christ. The Chi-Rho Greek letters are used in the church as a symbol for Christ, as these are the first two letters. When you see Xmas, read "Christ"-mas.
One other comment, Christmastide is the 12 day feast that begins on Christmas Day, the 25th and continues until Jan. 6, the Epiphany, hence the Twelve Days of Christmas. This is widely ignored by Americans whose only view of Christmas is the Jolly Old Elf and their wish list.
Posted by: John at December 18, 2003 03:38 PM
I thought it was all stolen from the pagan winter solstice celebrations. Or do you have another reason for why you worship trees during this time?
Posted by: Scrooge at July 13, 2004 07:10 PM