I write today to wish everyone a “[tag]Merry Christmas![/tag]“
I do want to sincerely wish those who celebrate it a “[tag]Happy Hanukkah[/tag] (Chanukah).”
And for those who will celebrate it coming up, I do wish a sincere, “[tag]Happy Kwanza[/tag].”
And for you who chose to not celebrate a specific event, I wish you “[tag]Happy Holidays[/tag] and [tag]Season’s Greetings[/tag].”
I hope that each and every one of us can find joy, peace, and happiness in being with friends and loved ones during a time of year that most people do sincerely turn their hearts to thoughts of [tag]kindness[/tag] and [tag]charity[/tag].
But for me, I wish you all a loud and boisterous “Very Merry Christmas!”
You see, I do believe in the glad tidings of [tag]great joy[/tag] that unto us was born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
For too many years, I have seen, and dealt with the challenge of the “[tag]politically correct[/tag]” machinery in the [tag]business world[/tag].
- “Oh no, we can’t wish anyone “merry Christmas” because it might [tag]offend[/tag] those who don’t celebrate it.”
- “Oh, we need to add in the other types of season’s greetings so we don’t offend.”
- “Oh no, but what if we forget someone, and they’re offended?”
- “Guess we need to go with only a generic ‘Season’s Greetings’ or ‘Happy Holidays’.”
- Well, now I’m offended!
In the name of [tag]diversity[/tag] we have become diminished in our [tag]devotion[/tag]. For the sake of [tag]tolerance[/tag] we have become shallow in our [tag]expression[/tag] of deep feelings. By becoming [tag]generic[/tag] we have become [tag]mediocre[/tag] in our ability to bless others and benefit from their fullness of feeling.
I recently watched again a recorded live performance of [tag]Michael McClean[/tag]‘s “[tag]The Forgotten Carols[/tag].” If you haven’t seen it — Do It. Today! There are others as good — Jimmy Stewart’s “[tag]It’s a Wonderful Life[/tag]“ and “[tag]Mr. Krueger’s Christmas[/tag],” the classic “yes, Virginia…” from “[tag]Miracle on 34th Street[/tag],” and of course, my favorite “[tag]A Christmas Carol[/tag]“ — Muppet style. But none of them capture for me the essense of the message the same way as “The Forgotten Carols.” I won’t give it away, but crazy old “Uncle John” needs a lot of help from Nurse Constance, or so it seems. Turns out it’s Nurse ‘Connie Lou’ who ends up the benefactor from the loving uncle ‘John.’
Add this to your selection of Christmas season fare – regardless of which holiday you celebrate at this season – the core message is that good.
Oh, and about that diversity thing. Next time you run into someone, be bold in telling them what you wish for them – ‘Merry Christmas’ if that’s your thing. And if you don’t know their thing, ask them what they celebrate, and wish them their greeting with the same hearty gusto you did with yours.
It’s not just about what you believe – you already told them that. It’s also about believing in each other, caring for each other, and loving each other. Wishing someone something they celebrate and they enjoy shows you care.
And if they choose to get offended — maybe they need to reach a little deeper into their own beliefs and find that joy and happiness that says, “[tag]love, laugh, live… and let it go[/tag].”
