HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2013-11-20, Page 44 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, November 20, 2013
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The
Lucknow Sentinel
VOLUME 137 - ISSUE 46
PUBLISHED WEEKLY
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Neutralizing `Merry Christmas' is more offensive than saying it
I'm probably not the only
one annoyed by the white-
washing of what is politically -
correctly referred to as the
"winter holiday season" in a
society that is becoming
embarrassingly crippled by
the stripping of names from
religious holidays, out of fear
of offending others.
Well the news flash is, if
you're offended by someone
saying Merry Christmas, or any other 'reli-
giously charged' name for a seasonal holi-
day, you already should be ashamed for wor-
rying about something so foolish. No one
cares. Or should I say no one SHOULD care.
Why? Even though I'm not religious, I
respect the origin of why we have a gift -giv-
ing season, the decorations, the songs, the
lights, the foods and everything that goes
along with Christmas. These things have
been dear to the religious folk for centuries.
And that deserves respect, even if you're not
religious.
Most people enjoy time off during this
season because of these holidays, a few still
enjoy Christmas bonuses , but almost every-
one, regardless of faith, is impacted by
Christmas in Canada. It is the number one
reason for all of these cheery, happy and
feel -good holiday joys, followed by
Hanukkah, Kwanza and other holidays that
take place at this time. They should also be
respected, not watered down.
The reason for my rant spurs in part from
my annoyance in seeing 'Happy Holidays'
and 'Seasons Greetings' as a generic, non -
feeling salutation intended not to offend
those who don't celebrate Christmas, or
whatever religious festival. And for those
who consciously change their greeting to
reflect that, they should ask what they get
out of pandering to that societal 'change'
that's supposed to be respectful to others.
The way I look at it, it has the opposite effect.
Column
Troy Pa
tterson
An example of this I noticed
last year, and again this year, a
corporate franchise listing its
'holiday hours' as Dec. 24, 25,
26, but listed names for New
Years Eve and New Years Day.
This is what I consider an
absurdity, because I figure why
recognize the New Year (of the
Western calendar, not Jewish or
Chinese calendars), but not the
reasons for the Dec. 24-26
dates? Or that's just it, to the corporation,
are they just dates now? But why recognize
the New Year as a 'holiday'? It's corporate
hypocrisy and as insignificant as it may be,
it's still ridiculous when I observe it in that
way.
Either recognize that people celebrate
holidays, or don't. This neutral 'Red and
Green Day' kind of half-cocked corporate
celebration wears on me every year. And my
annoyance likely gets greater as I get older.
And once again, I'm not even a religious
man, I just believe in the right for religions
to celebrate however they like. It enriches
our communities, brightens up our down-
towns and makes the miserable cold, dark
season all the more bearable. Let them
'Keep Christ in Christmas; or have their
Nativity scenes in public spaces. Who does
it hurt? Who does it offend? Apparently
many people, as ridiculous as that is. And
I'd like to tell those who it does bother to
shut up their faces, because Canada is more
about tolerance than greying out what peo-
ple hold dear.
In fact, I'm offended by people taking
offense in saying Merry Christmas. It's one of
the biggest, most pointless actions taken by
municipal, provincial and federal govern-
ments, alongside the corporate world. They
fear minorities taking issue with it, so they
side with neutrality. Cowardice I say.
Typical 'Holiday Specials' nowadays focus
on Santa, Frosty, Rudolph and other fictional
characters, but fail to acknowledge how we
even earned the right to Western society
even recognizing this time as a holiday. And
what's wrong with recognizing Christmas for
its actual origins in the story of Jesus Christ,
whether you believe or not? Same goes for
the actual origins of Santa Claus. But they're
all lost in the fiction and fantasy that domi-
nate the modern holiday season. And that's
sad and I share in that sadness with those
who struggle for holiday recognition.
It's a really nice time of year, so why spoil
it with political nonsense?
Regardless of the faith you have (or don't
have), if you can't take joy in what others
find joyous, or at least see the beauty in what
they're celebrating, you're seriously lacking
something in your life and should look at
that issue before wasting your energy com-
plaining about what other people enjoy.
What's really unfortunate is the many that
find 'offense' are the same people who spend
thousands of dollars this time of year spoil-
ing themselves, spouses and family on con-
sumer products, because our culture has
somehow intertwined greed and selfishness
with the holiday's original message of giving,
family and peace amongst humanity. Even
without the religious connotations, those are
concepts even Atheists can accept and cele-
brate. Those concepts also have more merit
than the buying season's Black Friday and
the more recent 'Cyber Monday' leading up
to the holidays, as they're dedicated to
splurging on sales, the use of credit and
spending beyond ones need on luxuries and
other non -essentials.
So looking back at the two modern 'priori-
ties' of the holiday season: Don't offend by
saying Merry Christmas, but spend lots on
presents for your friends and family... we're
actual moving backwards socially instead of
progressing.
Celebrate the season as you want to. And
if people try to 'PC' correct you? Tell them
where to go... but with a little holiday cheer.
letter to the editor
Huron County Christmas Bureau gearing up for a busy season
Dear Editor,
Since 1967, the Huron County
Christmas Bureau, a volunteer
organization, supported by the
Huron -Perth Children's' Aid
Society, has devoted many
hours each year to ensure that
no child is forgotten at Christ-
mas time. Last year over 1,000
children, from newborn to age
18, benefited from your
generosity.
The Christmas Bureau is a
countywide Volunteer group
that organizes five gift centers
(bureaus) that distribute new
toys, clothing, and food cards to
families in our county who need
a hand.
As a new resident to Huron
County ten years ago, I was
invited to co-chair the Clinton
Bureau at St. Joseph's Church.
What a welcoming experience.
It was and is a wonderful oppor-
tunity to contribute to our com-
munity. Children ARE our future
and Christmas Bureau is one
way of embracing our youth.
How can you help?
One way is to volunteer at
your local Bureau. Last year over
400 volunteers were involved
donating over 5,000 hours of
time. You can also remember
the Christmas Bureau children
when planning your Family,
Friends, and Office Christmas
Party by shopping for a child or
youth. Financial gifts are always
required and if donating
New Gifts (Clothing, Toys, or
recreational items) or Teen Gift
Cards, please do so during Col-
lection Week of Dec. 2-6, as this
helps the Bureaus address the
needs of the registered families.
Posters and signs will be placed
throughout the communities as
a reminder to contribute.
This year, the Bureau has
decided to phase out Food
Boxes mainly because of the
safety/mechanics of collection
and distributing. To compen-
sate, the Food Card Value clients
receive has increased.
If you are a custodial parent,
and live in Huron County and
you need some assistance, the
Christmas Bureau phones open
for registering Nov 18 through
to Dec. 6 Monday to
Friday. You will be given an
appointment during the week of
Dec.9-13. Confidentiality
is our priority. Call Christmas
Central at 519-524-7336 ext.3271
or 1-800-265-5198 ext.3271
2013 Bureau/Gift Centers -
Clinton: Clinton Legion (St.
Peter's Church), Exeter: Pre-
cious Blood Church, Goderich:
Trinity Christian Reformed
Church, Seaforth: The Agriplex
(Bethel Bible Church), Wing -
ham: Wingham United Church.
Thank You to all who pro-
mote, donate and support
Huron County Christmas
Bureau.
Gayle Dunn
Christmas Bureau Volunteer