Why the War on Christmas is Not Really a War

Or even a police action. Its really more like a renegotiation of property lines.

Or, ya know, the growth of societal equality.

First, a few pieces of "evidence" often referred to as indications of a war on Christmas:

- the abbreviation Xmas

- the removal of the nativity scenes from the list of acceptable public institution decorations

- the increasing popularity of the phrase "Happy Holidays"

- the prevalence of Santa Clause rather than Baby Jesus

My responses:

-The abbreviation 'xmas' is just that, an abbreviation. This is not opinion, it is an actual linguistic fact. Thus, just like Mr. or Dr. or Ave., Xmas should be pronounced as the full word - Christmas. Also, the origin goes back about 500 years when the greek letter for C, which looks like our x, was often used represent the word Christ. Because type-setting was difficult and time consuming, religious printers often used the same substitution, making Xtian, Xianity, and Xmas.

And lets be honest, while a few may use Xmas as way to circumvent the word Christ, most people are just trying to save a little time.

- First off, this isn't completely true. Several states/counties/cities/etc. have established set-ups where anything can be included in decorations as long as a supporting group fills out the appropriate paperwork. A group in one state was just given permission to include a winter solstice display that features Einstein and Bill Gates. Also included: a nativity.

Secondly, there's this little thing called freedom of religion. This little piece of our constitution has been lined out by the Supreme Court as meaning that the government cannot act in a way that furthers, supports, or hinders any religion. Just ask Dr. Connor, my Political Science 101 professor. What that means is that public resources cannot be used to put up a nativity scene. You'll note the example above was for displays supported by a private group. BUT- this also means the government cannot stop you from putting up as many nativity scenes as you damn well please. Go on. Build fifty. Light 'em up. Add music. Leave it all standing into July. You have every right, I assure you.

- Ah, the ever dreaded and hated "Happy Holidays." As a kid, I always thought Happy Holidays just meant Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Now I know its a bit more nuanced than that. For the most part, the outrage over this phrase seems to center around stores and businesses. So lets just be honest, these people are out to maximize profit. So, in an effort to not step on the toes of potential non-Christian customers, they don't say Merry Christmas. I'm not really sure why we can't just take the phrase for what it means "Have fun celebrating whatever it is you celebrate this time of year."

- I don't know, man. He's Santa. International cultural icon. And, historically, a Christian person, Saint Nicholas. It isn't the advertising world's job to tell your kids what Christmas represents (though many of them do present ideas of love, generosity, peace, and joy). And if there was a war on Christmas, would the guy who represents the holiday, and only comes around on that holiday, get so much face time? I don't think so.

There are several more arguments I can make - like how everyone doesn't get Summer Solstice off from work and Frosty the Snowman is still pretty fuckin' popular in children's Christmas programs and the fact that most public schools have Christmas programs. But if you really need proof that Christmas is still doing okay, have a drive through the big public park in my hometown and admire the three (count 'em, three) nativity scenes.