Happy...Holidays?

With Halloween just over, I see signs of Christmas everywhere I look.  Twinkling lights, nativity scenes, and candy canes never seem to leave my sight.  These beautiful decorations also bring a lot of controversy.

 

Many people object to the public display of religious Christmas decorations.  Every year, the Papillion City Park displays, among other lighted figures, a nativity scene.  From time to time, it has been contested by people claiming that it was offensive to them.  A common argument is that if it is shown in a public park, it is a violation of separation of church and state.  This states that the government may not establish a national religion.  It does not say that the government has to pretend that it doesn't exist. 

 

Schools seem to have done the same thing.  We no longer have Christmas parties, breaks, or concerts.  The words "holiday," or "winter," have seemed to replace Christmas.  Uttering the phrase "Merry Christmas," at school has become a crime against the state.  Traditional Christmas carols have been banned and replaced with songs such as, "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer."

 

I don't see the problem with Christmas.  I cannot understand how people are offended by the display of something just because they don't agree with where it came from.  As a Christian, I am not offended by the Jewish Star of David or the Islamic star and crescent moon. I am much more offended by a song about my poor grandmother being killed in a brutal fashion. 

 

People seem to be picking and choosing what actually offends them.  Getting a few days off of work or school doesn't seem to offend non-Christians.  If it weren't for Christmas, we wouldn't be able to have that holiday break.  If people are going to request the absence of nativity scenes and other things related to the religious aspect of Christmas, they simply should not be able to take the day off of work.  They have no reason for celebration; therefore, they should be working. 

 

The Christmas controversy has gotten way out of hand.  I should be able to display all of my Christmas paraphernalia without disturbance.  If a school wants to sing Christmas carols, the student who objects doesn't have to sing them.  Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, laughter, and peace.  I simply wish that people would not worry so much about what is being displayed in our public parks and more about how they are treating one another.

 

mary poppins