NEW YORK — Christmas in America is not a clash of
civilizations, but rather a celebration of diversities. But to lots
of people, it doesn’t seem that way. Across America school
districts are forbidding the singing of Christmas carols, nativity
scenes are being banned in public places, and in malls the
“Christmas” sales” are now “Holiday” sales. Although we are part of
the 20 percent of Americans that are not Christian and the 5
percent that do not celebrate Christmas — unless the giving of
gifts and gratuities constitute “celebrating,” and if that is true
then we are part of the 95 percent that are celebrants — we have
nothing against and are part of those who enjoy the entire
Christmas experience. What’s not to like? People are friendlier and
music fills the air.
However, we have the whisper of an unworthy thought that if
polls were taken of only the givers — the bosses, the employers,
the apartment dwellers and all the myriad people from whom gifts
are sought on a virtually obligatory basis, as opposed to the
people with their hands out — the percentages probably would tip
more towards the Scrooges.
Personally we like Christmas carols —especially sung by Bing
Crosby — with their simple and elegant melodies and chord
structures that have survived in the same manner as other folk
songs that have been handed down through the ages, such as those of
Scotland and Ireland.
We cannot see how our beliefs are jeopardized by someone else
celebrating their beliefs — particularly if the
celebrations are those consisting, at least in part, of love,
family values, spirituality, and giving thought to the less
fortunate.
We would have a very fragile religion if 2000 years of our
culture and beliefs were threatened by Bing Crosby singing I’m
Dreaming of a White Christmas (incidentally, written by a
Jew), Santa Claus, and mistletoe. Now, if it were KKK celebrating
their holiday by exchanging presents of bed sheets or singing
carols beside burning crosses, or the Romans tossing another Jew on
the Yule log, or the Ghost of Christmas’s Past turning out to be
Yasser Arafat in a Santa Claus suit, it would be another story. But
until then, hand us the check books and turn up Bing Crosby.
Jews seem to be heavily involved in this repeal movement. They
would do well to remember Pastor Niemuller’s observation: In
Germany the Nazis came first for the Communists, and I didn’t speak
up because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and
I didn’t speak up because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the
trade unions, and I didn’t speak up because I was not a trade
unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I was a Protestant
and I didn’t speak up. Then they came for me and by that time there
was no one left to speak for me.
The point is, of course, if Christmas is abolished from public
display, can the fate of Chanukah and the myriad of other Jewish
holidays be far behind?
Also, if the Christians are discouraged from buying Christmas
presents, some thought must be given to the question, “Who is
selling the presents to the Christians?”
And lastly, a word about the ACLU. The ACLU is an organization
supported by many liberal Jews and is in the forefront of efforts
for a public suppression of Christmas. They are also vocal in
criticism of American treatment of terrorists. It is our respectful
observation that it is the terrorists who have affected
the way in which we now have to live our lives, have created
serious economic consequences for us and caused the death of
thousands of Americans — and not Bing Crosby.
With these thought we want to wish our friends both Merry
Christmas and Happy Chanukah —as least as long as we are permitted
to do so.
