The original version of this column appeared in the Grand Island Independent on December 20, 2000.
As far as seasonal music goes, the Yuletide wouldn't be complete without at least once hearing John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Happy Xmas (War is Over)". For me, it's just as traditional as "We Three Kings" or "Please Daddy, Don't Get Drunk This Christmas."
John and Yoko must have been the original political correctionists. But I'm sure they must have felt that, by replacing "Christ" with "X," they were spreading their season's wishes to everyone in the world, to all cultures, races and creeds.
When I was a small boy in Catholic school, our favorite teacher, Sister Attila -- we called her Attila the Nun -- made it very clear that saying "Xmas" was not proper. As a matter of fact, it would be pagan of us to say "Xmas," and for those who risked such an impropriety, the chances were pretty good of spending an eternity in hell, roasting like an Xmas goose.
"If you take out Christ, you won't have Christmas," she used to tell us.
That's true, I thought. Remove Christ, and we'd be left with plain old "mas." How weird would that be?
Change those songs to "We Wish You a Merry Mas," "I'm Dreaming of a White Mas" and "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Mas," and they just wouldn't have the same ring or rhythm to them as the original versions.
Of course, keep in mind that, if you study the lyrics to those songs, you won't find any mention of Christ throughout except in the word Christmas itself. Nor will you either, in "Silver Bells" or "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeermas."
Why bring political correctness into the scheme of holiday things? I've known Jewish people who warmly exchanged "Merry CHRISTmas" with me. I've also known folks who professed no real religious faith at all, but they didn't hesitate to share a cup of holiday cheer, nor did they rebuff me when I wished them a "Merry CHRISTmas." They even wished it back at me.
With or without Christ, the message of peace and goodwill still rings out loud and clear like the peal of a church bell whenever a heartfelt "Merry Christmas" is passed from the lips of one person to the ears of another.
The declaration that Christ is "the reason for the season" has been a fashionable Christmas sentiment over the past few years. People like catchy little phrases, especially if they rhyme. It's that Madison Avenue influence.
Surely, Christmas as many of us know it is rooted in the birth of Jesus.
Of course, along the way, we've added traditions that stemmed from
other cultures, like the Christmas tree, the lights, the holly and
garland, the ornaments, the wonderful foods, the wrapping paper and bows
and so on. It's all been blended in a fabulous mix that delights us
every December -- and keeps retailers' cash registers ringing. That's THEIR reason for the season.
At the same time, Christians shouldn't be so narrow as to assume we corner the market on Christmas, not where the true meaning of the yuletide spirit is concerned.
"Merry Christmas" isn't solely a religious greeting just because it contains "Christ." More importantly, it's a wonderful offering of friendship that contains Christ's message: Love one another.
The way I see it, to spread that message is the reason he came to earth. And not just at Christmastime. The entire year should be a season for the reason.
John and Yoko needn't have replaced Christ with X in order to reach people the world over with their song of peace. Today, we needn't say "season's greetings" or "happy holidays" merely as a politically correct substitute for "merry Christmas."
On the other hand, Christians should be sensitive to the beliefs that non-Christians hold dear to their own hearts. As long as everyone is on the same wavelength of peace on earth, goodwill toward men, does it really make a difference who the messenger is as long as everyone gets the message?
Merry Whatevermas, Everybody!
Copyright 2000 by Wendel Potter
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