After reading articles on the conservative Christian organizations’ fight against the perceived “war on Xmas,” I am compelled to respond. I am doing so as one of the millions of non-Christian Americans. I grew up in the ’50s, long before notions about valuing diversity or political correctness existed in this country. For most of my childhood, the Xmas season was a very painful time for me. I felt excluded from the “club,” consisting of the majority of Americans who celebrated Christmas. Each time a store clerk wished me a “merry Christmas,” I felt devalued, misunderstood and invisible. When public schools had Christmas trees and Christmas concerts in which all were expected to sing songs celebrating the birth of Christ, I loved the melodies but was very uncomfortable with the lyrics.
It has been a tremendous relief for me to now hear wishes for “happy holidays” instead of “merry Xmas,” and to have watched my children perform a range of non-religious holiday songs from a variety of ethnic groups and cultures at public school “holiday” concerts.
What the perceived war on Christmas represents is the acknowledgement that America is actually a diverse nation, composed of deserving citizens from a variety of religious and non-religious backgrounds. Embracing this rich variety by recognizing that not everyone need be assumed to be celebrating Xmas is life affirming and supports the principles upon which our nation was founded. In my limited knowledge of Jesus’ teachings, I believe he would approve of a stance that values and recognizes the dignity of all Americans, that supports validating all one’s neighbors, not just the Christians.
Happy holidays to all.
