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http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/12/20/roland.martin/index.html
(CNN) -- This whole push to remove Christ from the
Christmas season has gotten so ridiculous that it's
pathetic.
Because of all the politically correct idiots, we are
being encouraged to stop saying "Merry Christmas" for
the more palatable "Happy Holidays." What the heck are
"Seasons Greetings"? Can someone tell me what season
we are greeting folks about? A Christmas tree? Oh, no!
It's now a holiday tree. Any Christmas song that even
remotely mentions Christ or has a religious undertone
is being axed for being overtly religious. And I'm
sorry, forget X-M-A-S. Malcolm X? Yes. X replacing
Christ? No.
Don't get me wrong; I'm very respectful of other
religions. I don't want anyone to be afraid of
discussing the Jewish faith when we address Hanukkah.
And we shouldn't dismiss Muslims when the annual
pilgrimage to Mecca is held during December. In fact,
Americans are so ignorant of other faiths that we can
all learn from one another.
But this seeming backlash against Christianity is
bordering on the absurd, and we should continue to
remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.
What Would Jesus Really Do?
Roland Martin asks: What would Jesus really do in this
political environment?
I know that may sound strident, but it's true. We
spend an inordinate amount of time focused on shopping
and buying gifts, but really, what does any of this
have to do with the birth of Jesus? We have families
all over the nation killing themselves to buy a tree
they can't afford, running up their credit to buy toys
and other gifts, all in an effort to make someone else
happy.
What if families decided to forgo gifts, and instead,
used their shopping days giving back to those in need?
What if more of us went into our closets, grabbed old
toys and clothes, repackaged them, and provided them
as gifts to those without? Instead of gorging on food,
what if we used some of the dough to feed those who
are in need? What if we blew off those gift cards to
electronic retailers and signed up with
Networkforgood.org, and gave someone a gift card to
their favorite charity?
Sure, I know I sound like a reincarnation of a flower
child, but really, do we have to be so crass during
the Christmas season?
Its time that we return to traditional values, and end
this ridiculous charade. It's important that we take a
fuller account of WHY we celebrate Christmas, as
opposed to falling for the barrage of ads that tell us
what is most important.
Parents, don't be so consumed with the notion that
your children will have a terrible Christmas because
the tree isn't overflowing with gifts. The true love
that you show them is more important than anything
else.
America might be the king of capitalism, but
secularism must never become so prevalent that our
religious traditions are discarded.
+++++++Roland S. Martin is a nationally award-winning
journalist and CNN contributor. Martin is studying to
receive his master's degree in Christian
communications at Louisiana Baptist University, and he
is the author of "Listening to the Spirit Within: 50
Perspectives on Faith." You can read more of his
columns at www.rolandsmartin.com.+++++++
"La raison pour laquelle la foudre ne frappe pas deux fois au meme endroit est que generalement l' endroit n'existe plus pour une seconde frappe" ~Willie Tyler
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