The War on Christmas: What that means to someone like Me!

This time next week it will be Christmas Eve so I would like to tell everyone in the media spotlight to stop all of this arguing over stupid things. Now, I understand that the human race has been fighting over God issues since the dawn of time. Or maybe it started in the A.D. era, who knows? I also understand that people feel pretty strongly about their beliefs. I also feel strongly about mine. There has been a lot of arguing over the “War on Christmas” this year. This has been going on for some years now, but it is all over the media this year which is why I decided to blog about it.

If you haven’t noticed, most of the shops now say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” so not to offend anybody that doesn’t believe in Christ, and the religous people are complaining that they are taking the true meaning out of Christmas. Now I am not going to get too deep into my own beliefs, but I am not Christian. I was raised in a Christian home, but don’t believe in it myself. However, “Christmas” means something different to me. It is all a matter of perception! Although I am a non believer, I tell people “Merry Christmas” instead of Happy Holidays. Now I will admit that I try to stay away from most of the religious Christmas songs, but I don’t get offended by other people singing those songs.

When I think about exactly why, against my beliefs, I still celebrate and wish people a Merry Christmas. I could say that I keep it traditional so that I don’t offend. Or I could say that I am wishing the believers well in their own beliefs. But, this wouldn’t explain why I don’t get offended when they wish me a Merry Christmas. The truth of it all is that it doesn’t matter to me where the name Christmas came from. I have my own life experience that has given me my own unique perception of what this holiday means. So, to sum it all up, I will tell you what defines Christmas in my mind.

I see Christmas as Bright Lights shining on the Snow and edges of trees. I think of Family, Food, Santa and his Reindeer, Bells, and Gifts. I see the excitement and anticipation of my kids and reflect on when my younger mind couldn’t wait until Christmas morning to open the gifts that mysteriously appeared in the night. I see the happiness that comes from putting down all of the distractions of daily life and just being with family and friends. I see the excitement of seeing someone open a gift, knowing that it is something that they will enjoy. Opening gifts myself, wondering what it might be. From Christmas Eve until my head hits the pillow on Christmas night, I live a simple life much like I did as a child. So, to everyone that didn’t get offended in the first paragraph of this blog and stopped reading: Merry Christmas, Whatever that may mean to you!