As we are quickly approaching the end of the semester, we are also closing in on the holiday that people around the world look forward to the most; this holiday, of course, being Christmas. In recent years, however, there has been a substantial push by some to get rid of everything that can be construed as being Christmassy"" because it could offend those who don't celebrate this holiday. This includes employees of various companies being forced to say ""Happy Holidays"" to customers instead of the traditional ""Merry Christmas."" Some companies have gone even further than that, hiring people to go around to various offices and stores telling employees how to appropriately decorate their spaces for the winter season, as to not risk offending those who don't celebrate Christmas. One health-care clinic in North Branch, Minn., was even questioned on its decision to put up garland accented with a red and white rope because the color combination of red and green was considered too closely oriented with the idea of Christmas.
And so it begins - the slow but steady demonization of the holiday that defines the Christian faith, the holiday that brings hope and joy to billions of people every year, and the holiday that has defined the winter season for centuries. All of this is because some radical left-wingers are threatened by the idea that so many people celebrate a Christian holiday. What is so wrong with people saying ""Merry Christmas?"" Does is really offend people? I know if someone were to say ""Happy Hanukkah"" or ""Happy Kwanzaa"" to me, I would not get offended. So are people that don't celebrate Christmas really offended when someone says ""Merry Christmas"" to them? After surveying the people in my apartment building, which, for its size, is very diverse, I found that a grand total of zero people were offended by the phrase ""Merry Christmas.""
Last year, Wisconsin state Senate Democrats blocked a bill that would change the name of the ""Holiday Tree"" on display at the Capitol back to ""Christmas Tree."" When the Republicans in the Assembly tried to push this through, left-wing groups such as the Freedom from Religion Foundation and Progressive Dane were up in arms. They held protests claiming that changing the name of the tree back to its original name was a violation of the First Amendment. The only part of the First Amendment that says anything about religion states that ""Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."" There is nothing in the Constitution about the separation of church and state. This phrase comes from Thomas Jefferson's private writings, and is found nowhere in the Constitution. What is so wrong with calling the tree in the Capitol a Christmas tree? After all, that is what it is.
Instead of spending so much time demonizing Christmas traditions, perhaps people should reflect on what the holiday season is all about. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or some other holiday, this time of year is about giving back, spending time with family and taking a break from the everyday stresses of life. Just because maybe you don't celebrate Christmas, doesn't mean that I can't. Just remember this: It is OK to say ""Merry Christmas.""
Kristen Wall is the current first vice chair of the College Republicans and is a junior majoring in economics and political science.
