The Citizen, 2003-12-17, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2003.
Letter to the editor
Writer proposes name change for Christmas
THE EDITOR,
l propose a change. I
propose that we change the
name of Christmas to
something that better reflects
what we do. say. listen to, and
watch, during the Christmas
season.
You remember Christmas,
don't you? That’s the holiday
we set aside to celebrate the
birth of Santa Claus ... no
wait, Rudolph. Or is it the
Grinch? I propose that we
change the name of Christmas
to ... Santa Day ... or perhaps
Toyfest.
Something has happened to
Christmas. It is something that
happens to all religious
observances. Over time, man
made traditions creep in. and
eventually, take over. After a
while, it becomes difficult to
remember the original reason
for the observance. In the case
of Christmas, it is meant to be
a celebration of the birth of our
Lord and Saviour, Jesus
Letter
Committee withdraws support
THE EDITOR,
Recently, individuals
identifying themselves as
representatives of the Huron
County Child Abuse
Prevention Committee may
have contacted local
companies.
Christ; hence the name. But
when I look around, at movies.
Tv shows, advertisements and
even stories, I see a Christmas
that’s very different, indeed.
Jesus is hard to find, amidst
the Santas, and reindeer, and
toys, and so on. It’s almost like
He's missing in action.
For example. I watched the
school’s Christmas concert
last week.
Now, suppose I was from
another country, where there is
no Christmas. Suppose I had
no knowledge of that at all.
What would I have learned
about Christmas from that
concert?
Thankfully, there were two
or three songs which at least
alluded to the birth of Christ;
but only one of them
mentioned Him by name.
On the other hand. I counted
at least four separate
depictions of Sar.ta Claus, as
well as other references to
him. Therefore, having no
The individuals making the
calls would have been
promoting and selling
advertising for a show
entitled, Kids Tribute to the
Stars. The show had been
rescheduled several times in
November, December and
prior knowledge. I would have
to conclude that Santa Claus is
the central and most important
figure in Christmas.
Now, of course. I don't
blame the children. And I
don’t blame the school.
They're doing the best they
can. under great restrictions
about what they can teach. In
fact, the brief mention of Baby
Jesus they slipped into the
program is probably more than
many school boards would
allow.
No. the responsibility for
this rests entirely with the
surrounding culture. That’s
you and me. folks. We have
created a culture in which it is
no longer considered
“politically correct” to say
“Merry Christmas”. In order to
avoid offending someone,
we're supposed to say “Happy
Holidays”. That sounds like
something you might say to
the neighbours, as they're
leaving for the cottage. Or you
most recently, the spring of
2004. The show was to take
place at Blyth theatre.
Upon further investigation
of Showtime Productions (the
show production company)
the Huron County Child
Abuse Prevention Committee
might say “Season's
Greetings”. What does that
mean, anyway? What season’.'
It sounds like something you
might hear at the arena on the
first day of hockey season.
Come on. people, let’s screw
up our courage and stand up
for our holidays. Not everyone
will be receptive to “Merry
Christmas”, but the'n, not
everyone is receptive to
“Good Morning” either.
By the way, I’ve tried
changing that one to “Happy
Monday” and they liked that
even less.
Somewhere in the midst of
all this, we’ve allowed
mythology to take over our
most revered holiday. Now. I
do realize that Santa Claus is
somewhat based on the true
story of St. Nicholas; but if
that’s the case, then why aren't
there any St. Nicholas
parades?
The fact is, most people
don't know much about St.
has withdrawn their support
of the show.
It is our understanding that
local businesses have been
approached indicating that the
sellers of the advertising were
representatives of our agency.
Continued on page 7
Nicholas. Alter all. he's not as
much lun as Santa Claus.
Here's the really disturbing
part. Over the years. I’ve
discovered something being
taught in movies and TV
shows that worries me. I’ve
seen many Christmas
programs in which Santa is
threatened somehow. And the
point is then made that, it
there’s no Santa, there’s no
Christmas. Now, I thought the
Grinch had settled that
question, but apparently not.
Movies will tell us that the true
meaning of Christmas is
giving, and that’s not a bad
thought.
But then, by extension,
we're told that Santa Claus
personifies the spirit of giving,
so we must protect him. For
example, in the movie Elmo
Saves Christmas”. Elmo
doesn’t actually save
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Christmas; he saves Santa
Claus. Maybe I’m being too
hard on the moviemakers. But
the erroneous message, of
Santa Claus - Christmas is out
there, and getting more and
more common.
Am I a Scrooge? No. I’m
very much in favour of
giving. Am I a Grinch?
Maybe, if it means stripping
away the superficial and
superfluous trappings of a
holiday gone astray. Am I
committed to upholding the
truth about Christmas and
keeping Jesus as its message.
Yes.
Now, I invite you to put this
letter aside and begin to
ponder what Christmas means
to you. I wish you a very
happy and blessed “Christ-
Mass” season.
Sincerely,
Thomas Bailey.
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