Hastert: It’s a Christmas tree
November 29th, 2005House Speaker Dennis Hastert wants none of the nonsense that changed the name of the “Capitol Christmas Tree” to a “Holiday Tree.” Hastert has declared that the tree will be referred to once again as a Christmas tree.
The Capitol tree, traditionally overshadowed by the White House’s “National Christmas Tree,” was renamed a “holiday tree” several years ago, according to the Capitol Architect’s offices, in an effort to acknowledge the other holidays of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah — although no one seemed to know exactly when the name was changed or by whom.
The story goes on to discuss some of the controversies in other cities over the use of the term “Christmas.”
Cities and counties in the Washington area increasingly are dropping the reference to Christ. Localities such as Alexandria, Greenbelt and Baltimore County will hang their lights on politically correct “holiday” trees.
“The words are used interchangeably,” said Janet Barnett, of the city of Alexandria, which held its tree lighting on Friday. “We put up the trees to celebrate the season.”
In Annapolis, the city’s annual “Hanging of the Greens” — the decorating of public buildings, shops and streets with live greens and ribbons — and the lighting of the “holiday tree” this weekend are purposely named so as to not favor one belief over another.
“It’s a sensitivity for people of different faiths,” said city spokeswoman Jan Hardesty. “We celebrate a lot of different customs — not necessarily just a religious one.”
What a bunch of politically correct garbage. Who are the people who actually come up with this stuff?
This is just silly. What will we have next, a holiday menora?
The holiday that is celebrated in the culture at large is not a Christian holiday anyway - it has more to do with consumer excess and marketing than in the birth of Christ. It’s more like a Winter Festival of lights - I wrote last year about how Frank Costanza (on Seinfeld) was correct in calling it “Festivus.”
I tend to agree with you Alex. I wonder sometimes if its not a violation of the commandment prohibiting misuse of the Lord’s name to associate Him with what passes for Christmas in this country. Perhaps He’s more honored by being left out of it. After all, most of the country want nothing to do with Him the rest of the year, even many of those who are so adamant about ‘keeping Christ in Christmas.’
Well said, Larry.
Excellent observation, Larry, about misusing the Lord’s name. Here would be a fascinating study: a comparison of how much money professing Christians spend on Christmas gifts vs. how much they gave to their local church that year.
even many of those who are so adamant about ‘keeping Christ in Christmas.’ Larry, I have a little trouble with that part of the sentence. Is that some knowledge that you have statistics for or could it be an indictment against some people that don’t deserve the criticism? I’ve got quite a few years of being around and I don’t see the people that really care about keeping Christ in Christmas, doing it just for a kick.
So, should we rename Christmas? Call Dec. 25, instead, “Jesus’ Birthday” (too confusing, probably, with the s-apostrophe combination, some people would ALWAYS be getting it wrong), a la Abraham Lincoln or MLK or Casimir Pulaski?
Would THAT make everyone happy?
Do people want Jesus’ name associated with the holiday, or not? Yes, we do, as long as everyone celebrates in the proper manner; if not, forget it, no Christmas for you.
* Truly puzzled … but vowing to enjoy the Christmas holiday season, nevertheless *
: o
Marilyn, I could provide numerous examples from personal experience (I have a few years under my belt as well!). People who view themselves as ‘conservative’ so they are against changing the holiday but who never darken a church door or feel any obligation to Christ at all during the rest of the year. Rush Limbaugh falls into that category based on what I hear him say on the radio. There’s a man at my office in fact who rails against ‘the ACLU trying to rename Christmas’ and in the next breath is just as likely to use the Lord’s name in vain. Its about tradition to him, not honoring Christ. Another very hight profile example is Bill O’Reilly of Fox News. He’s certainly a ‘keep Christ in Christmas’ guy but when you read his book he basically says religion is good, everyone should have one but it doesn’t really matter which one. If that’s not an insult to the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus I don’t know what is. Have I done a formal survey? No, just as I’m sure you didn’t do one to reach your conclusion, but its based on what I see. Bottom line to me if as many people in this country got excited about standing up for Christ the other 11 months of the year as they do in December this country would be a very different place than it is (I’m including myself in that BTW).
There are many holidays that are celebrated both religiously and culturally. Halloween (All Saints Day)and Easter come to mind. Just because someone chooses to participate in the holiday culturally, it does not make them religious. Some choose to celebrate holidays religiously and not culturally but most people celebrate both. Personally, I don’t see a problem celebrating both. I don’t think we have a copyright on the word Christmas where we can insist on how it should be celebrated.
Larry, I am not angry about this or anything, but I am just not ready to lay down and let the secularist rule. This Nation was founded by men of wisdom and a pretty fair amount of Christians and because we have been willing to let the secularist have their way is why I think we have slunk backwards in morals. Just my opinion. We can either stand up for some things or fall for everything. I’m not ready to do it.
I thought of this example. Sorry to post again. Think about this simple word change. The word fetus became popular after abortion was sanctioned.
Lots of changes that have not been good, came about subtilely.
Of course, not all changes have been bad — for example, the fact that we, as women, are now able to vote, just as those “men of wisdom” who founded this great country were.
: )
How about this: The December Holiday Tree? Then it can stand for Christmas and/or Hanukkah and/or Kwanzaa or any other holiday that occurs during December. I mean, who says Christmas has a stranglehold on the omnipresent decorated evergreen tree, anyway?
And to reply to a former comment: I am not willing to tell anyone of any religion that theirs is “wrong” and mine is “right.” I know what I believe, and I can share this belief with anyone who is willing to listen, but am I going to tell them they are wrong? Nope.
For all who think I am concerned about a “tree”, that’s not the point.
I am also a former Democrat. I think I will not put my confidence in any political party, but I will examine their platform and see what they stand for. I would pray to be led by the Holy Spirit when I witness to anyone and would certainly not grab them or try to coerce them, but I am not ashamed of the Gospel and when we love someone and have the Good News, love wants to share.
I didn’t think that you were particularly concerned about a tree, Marilyn; in fact, I apologize if the transition in my previous post implied I thought that. I was responding to your comment about changes when I started my comment, but then the rest of the post was sort of a reference to the thread topic.
I am truly wondering what, exactly, all the fuss (in general — NOT necessarily in this thread) is about. IS it about what the tree is called, or the premise behind it? IS it about the Christmas/holiday season, or is it more about a general frustration on the part of some people regarding this time of year … which, in reality, for all Christians (and every other good girl and boy!!), really should be a time of true celebration!
: )
Larry, I am a bit confused. It appears that you are annoyed by ‘conservatives’, Rush Limbaugh, people that get upset with the ACLU, Bill O’Reilly and those who fail to live up to their Christian commitment. Where do you stand on those fighting Christianity in our society? That is what I was referring to in reference to giving criticism to a lot of undeserving, honest God fearing, God loving people. I want to join the good fight, not kick those on my side. I have enough in my own life to work on.