Taking the Greeting out of the Season

I read an interesting string of arguments today about Focus on the Family’s list of retailers that use “Merry Christmas” and those that use other phrases like “Seasons Greetings.”

When the list was released, some folks were offended because the “Seasons Greetings” list was published basically as a blacklist. And shopping at the “Merry Christmas” list was encouraged by FOF.

I know religion is a very personal topic, that’s why is stirs so many deep emotions, and oftentimes, big frothy reactions from people. So listen up.

“Seasons Greetings” is not a politically-correct euphemism for “Merry Christmas.” No one’s trampling anyone’s religion here.

When people say “Seasons Greetings” they’re not trying to take Christmas away from anyone, but rather, quite the contrary. It is a simple way to show that you are not assuming the person you are greeting shares your religious beliefs. Which, in turn, is freeing you linguistically and socially to celebrate a Christ-full Christmas, Hanukkah –or whatever you may celebrate–or not celebrate. This is a greeting meant to pass on the excitement of first snowfalls, twinkle lights, roaring fireplaces, outdoor ice skating, and hot chocolate. It is in no way a castration of any “true meaning” of the season.

During the season in question, our country celebrates Thanksgiving and the New Year. Also, lots of individuals and families celebrate their personal religious holidays with their personal traditions. The biggie and most commercialized in our country at the moment is Christmas.

Now here comes the argument that saying “Seasons Greetings” is contributing to Christ being lost from Christmas. This argument leaves me asking, what? did someone shove him in the wrong box in the attic when they put him away last January? Only those Christians who allowed themselves to get caught up in the commercial side, forgetting their own spiritual side, are experiencing this self-induced loss. Plenty of folks keep Christ on the tops of their minds every day, including Christmas. Blaming others’ cheery winter greetings for your own feelings that the meaning has been extracted from your holiday is simply not logical. Do a little soul searching. You’ll probably find that missing meaning in there somewhere rattling around in a mislabeled box.

Many retail stores and companies choose to say “Seasons Greetings” for the reason illustrated above: it is not exclusive. Enjoying shopping at stores on the “Merry Christmas” list may be a great way to share in the spiritual side of Christmas with fellow Christians (and what an insult to the religion if these stores turned out not to be Christian-run). Likewise, for Christians to boycott companies that choose to open their doors to other religions seems a little ugly, and dare i say, exclusive, to me.

So please, let’s not over think this thing. Set aside those lists and infuse our economy with a little extra holiday cash. And more importantly, let’s embrace the long tradition of excitement that this season brings, and pass good will onto your neighbors regardless of how, or even if, they decorate their mantles.

Normal Life – December

Ween Show
December 2nd. Boulder, Colorado. Ween.
We met Brad & Katie in Boulder for the show. Ween played 3 nights, 3 hours each, and didn’t repeat a song once. Mike & Brad were thoroughly happy. Katie and Anne were thoroughly something else and don’t remember much about it. Well, of course, getting lost on the long walk home and the extra sharp and evil sink knobs somehow made the most-memorable moments list…

Sneak Attack on Chocolatetown
Girls weekend at the spa was held in Hershey this year. Anne flew in to DC and rode up with Margaret, Sheri, and Liz–a plan that effectively surprised P. We spent the weekend touring the chocolate factory and then shopping. At night we sat around in our jammies drinking wine, playing cards, and eating chocolate. oooh yeah. Margaret is super psyched about buying chocolate.

Lasik is Cool. Lasik Goggles are Cooler.
As a gift to herself, Anne got Lasik refractive eye surgery on the Thursday before Christmas. Ask Anne what she thinks about the experience and she’ll most likely answer, “seeing 20/20 without wearing glasses is cool and all, but i really dig the kick-ass goggles i get to wear while sleeping. I mean, even Aunt Marcia agrees, this just may be the hottest new look for 2006.” Sources say Mike is questioning if perhaps the surgeon zapped a little too far into her brain.

1st Christmas in Colorado
Despite the grizzly 65F & sunny weather, Mike & Anne managed to enjoy their first Christmas away from home. (holy crap do you SEE Mike is wearing a t-shirt??) Christmas eve was full of wine and movies and opening fantastic gifts sent by family back home (thank you & we miss you!) followed by Christmas morning and then a day in the park. Anne and Mike worked on juggling passes then strolled bak home with intentions of grilling out some steak and potatoes. Silly sots they are didn’t think that grocery stores just might be closed on Christmas day. They ended up having frozen pizza instead.