I've done all the obligatory debates about who stole what, as regards trees, 
greenery, mistletoe and so on. I've pointed out to Brits that there are, and 
always have been, Other Faiths Than Yours in the country, and that Google, 
being international, is under no obligation to promote yours, especially a 
week before your celebration even occurs. And I have been my usual serious, 
boring, curmudgeonly self in the course of all this. Today, though, I 
laughed out loud when this appeared, posted in all seriousness, on an 
orthodox Christian ng.

It's a complaint that the all the commercialised, politicised elements of 
"Christmas" aren't being called "Christmas". That their "faith has been 
muzzled" because the mad spending spree *isn't* being called Christmas. That 
they can't preach or evangelise, because their religious festival has been 
*clearly differentiated from* the generic, secular winter one.

Well, gee. Would you rather we gave it back to you, in all its credit-card 
glory? First you don't want shopping to be associated with "Christmas" 
because it's religious. Then you whine and moan because seasonal shopping 
*isn't* associated with your religion. *Make your bloody mind up*, OK?

Oh, yeah. Here's the "we want it both ways" whinge:


"'Twas the month before Christmas when all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying, nor taking a stand.
Why the P.C. Policemen were taking away
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt someone's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a "Holiday."

And shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get It!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod.
Something was changing, something was quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken and Fonda.
As Best Buy was busy promoting their "WOW"
At Home Depot "Christmas" trees couldn't be found.

At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
The hallowed word "Christmas" will ne'er grace your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
The terms that were used to intimidate me.

Now Edwards, Pelosi, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Barack , on Kerry, on Clinton !

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Christmas, in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word, as they muzzled our faith
Forbade us to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout "MERRY CHRISTMAS," not "Happy Holiday."  "

Jani