English: Santa Claus with a little girl Esperanto: Patro Kristnasko kaj malgranda knabino Suomi: Joulupukki ja pieni tyttö (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I don’t know what Bill O’Reilly is talking about when he says there’s a war against Christmas. As Jon Stewart (Daily Show) pointed out yesterday in a comic bit, there’s Christmas everywhere: lights galore, stores open all year devoted to Christmas, a TV program devoted to Christmas. Go on the radio: many stations are playing nothing but Christmas carols. Some TV cable channels are playing Christmas movies over and over.
My holiday in December (next year November) is Chanukah. It isn’t really the most important holiday on the Jewish calendar, but since it coincides with Christmas, some people make a bigger deal of it. You do give a present for each day of Chanukah. It’s a happy celebration!
I learned all the words to the Christmas carols in school, and I enjoyed singing those songs. It didn’t bother me in the least, especially singing “Jingle Bells,” and “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.”
I love it all. The music, the lights, and the good cheer. I always knew it wasn’t really “my holiday” It’s hard to compete with Christmas lights, presents, and everything that goes along with it
Santa Claus brought me my Chanukah presents
Unlike many Jewish children, I earnestly believed in Santa Claus. I thought he brought by Chanukah presents. I have to admit, this wasn’t a big stretch for me. I liked to believe in fairies, magic, goodness, and kindness. I’m not sorry I was given the chance to believe in him. Plus, what does it have to do with religion anyway?
My mother used to tell a story about how her brothers and sisters would hang up stockings on Christmas Eve and her parents would take them right down. I guess she thought this was unfair, and she thought believing in Santa Claus wouldn’t make us traitors to the Jewish people. To partake in some parts of this holiday, made me feel a part of things.
As I got older, I used to wonder. Why didn’t Santa Claus come to my other Jewish friend’s houses? I forget what the answer was, but I guess I happily accepted it I did keep this celebration a little quiet because I didn’t quite feel right about the whole thing.
When I had children, I put Chanukah first. Santa Claus did show up, but he came at the very end, and he brought inconsequential goodies. It didn’t happen every year. My kids never bought the story. Sometimes I wondered if that was a mistake.
It’s hard not to partake in some form of celebrating this holiday. It consumes everyone after Thanksgiving and the entire month of December.
As far as worrying about Christmas going out of style, Bill O’Reilly doesn’t have to worry. As Jon Stewart said, “it’s infringing on other holidays like say…. Thanksgiving. (Referring to Black Friday that was on Black Thursday this year.)
I don’t mind saying the following words either “Merry Christmas!” I wonder if O’Reilly is going to say, “Happy Chanukah.”
What do you think? Any opinions?
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- Jon Stewart Tears Into Fox News And Bill O’Reilly For Outrage Over The War On Christmas™ (mediaite.com)
My Life in my 60's 