Okay–there isn’t going to be much of a post today, because I am waging my own “War on Christmas.” And unlike the one manufactured by the professional rabble-rousers on Faux News, mine is personal.
I have been crawling on the floor under our pre-lit “keep it simple, save a fir” tree all morning, trying to figure out why some of the lights don’t work. I’ll spend most of the rest of the day–assuming we’ve accurately diagnosed the problem (I’ve sent Bob to the hardware store for replacement fuses–those teensie little fuses that are hidden in the plugs that are hidden in the needles and are impossible to remove without the eagle-eyed vision of the young and the skinny talons of a small but vicious bird) wrapping gifts.
I was raised Jewish. We don’t know how to wrap. I’ll try my best, but I’ll undoubtedly end up with the sad and lumpy-looking packages that are so unlike the beautiful, beribboned gifts you see on television.
When I’m done grousing, I’ll admit that Christmas–the way my husband celebrates it and the way I’ve learned to approach it–is a lovely family holiday. In our “multi-cultural” home, the tree has a yarmulke on top and among the ornaments are dreidles and other decidedly non-traditional elements. There’s a menorah on the fireplace next to the tree, and we send gifts to a Buddhist cousin and give and get others from atheist family members. It really IS a “wonderful time of the year”–as the song goes. (Well–at least it’s a festive occasion that makes a generally cold and unpleasant time of the year SEEM wonderful.)
For those who celebrate the holiday as a “holy day” (which, by the way, is what “holiday” means Mr. Dumb-ass O’Reilly), I have the utmost respect. For those who want to throw tantrums whenever they see someone’s enjoyment of the season deviating from their script, I say “Bah, Humbug.”
What cracks me up about the “War on Christmas” folks is that they tend to be the same people who agree with Newt Gingrich that poor kids ought to do janitor duty in their schools. Listen, guys, I’m not a Christian, but it seems to me if you’re really into the religious meaning of Christmas, it might be appropriate to act a bit more…Christian.
Just sayin’
isn’t there something in Leviticus that prohibits putting yarmulkes atop Christmas trees?
On second thought, maybe I’m thinking about Deuteronomy…..no….that frowns on putting yarmulkes on top of Christmas trees.
That’s why I never really cared for the Old Testament anyway…..so negative.
The New Testament is so much more uplifting, like the where Newt Gingrich invented Palestinians while Callista was out charging a new Ottoman to their Tiffany’s line of credit. First Corenthians, I believe.
Middle East lobbying, er…history…is soooo much fun!
Newt wants poor kids to do janitor duty in their schools. Now there’s a character Dickens would have a field day with!
How refreshing! Sounds like the best possible way to celebrate! I love it.
Love it! Happy Holidays, Sheila!
I just read this column. How eloquent you are. I especially loved your sentence “For those who want to throw tantrums whenever they see someone’s enjoyment of the season deviating from their script, I say ‘Bah, Humbug.’” My feelings exactly, but I was unable to put it into words. Well done.