Thanks to readers for much mail about Christmas (and related matters). Tell you something kind of funny. In a column or Corner item or something, I mentioned that many companies were referring to Christmas as the “Winter Holiday.” I got a few notes from Australia and New Zealand — from the Antipodes, if you like — saying, “Hey, isn’t that hemispherocentric, or something like that?”
A warning to our liberal masters, and would-be masters: When you undertake not to offend — or insist on non-offensiveness — you open yourself to yet more offenses.
I see that the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty has handed out an Ebenezer Award and an Eggnog Toast. The Ebenezer Award went to the official in Philadelphia who ordered the removal of “Christmas” from the Christmas Market, to be replaced by “Holiday.” The Eggnog Toast went to the official who rescinded that Scroogey command.
Nice idea. (The awards, I mean. As well as the rescission.)
Some have said, “You just can’t find cards that say ‘Merry Christmas.’ It gets harder and harder.” I know. Kind of like trying to find products not made in China (for who’s to say whether they come from laogai, the gulag?). I gave up on the China front long ago. Shameful, I know. But have you ever tried to buy an umbrella not made in China? Also, globalization has done wonders for the average Chinese, gulag or no gulag. Kind of a thorny, upsetting issue.
I gave up on the “Merry Christmas” front too, where cards are concerned. I just get a pretty card that says “Season’s Greetings” or “Whass Happenin’ on the Holidays?” or whatever. Life’s too short to hunt down “Merry Christmas.”
Several sacks of mail on “There They Go A-Caroling.” NRO readers are extremely interesting and knowledgeable about music, as they are about everything else. Want to share something kind of fun with you. A reader basically asked whether it was okay not to like A Ceremony of Carols (the Britten work). He asked this kind of shyly and tremblingly.
My answer, Oh, of course! There are times when I appreciate that medieval spareness and bleakness and otherworldliness. At other times, I would rather put a bullet in my head than listen to it. I’ve skipped over it on many an album, believe me. Just did so the other day, I think.
Basically, it’s okay not to like anything — and you may find your tastes evolving as you go along. We all find some things appealing, other things less so (or not at all). What I don’t like is this: when other people try to make you feel bad for liking something, or not liking something. I always say (words to the effect of), “Blow it out your ear.” No offense, but I don’t really give a rip what others like or don’t like (most of the time). Maybe I’m just cocky in my own views.
Of course, this relates to politics, too. There are some who are personal-freedom-leaning. And some who are . . . not, or way not.
I’d better go. Thanks again for the mail, and sorry for my non-answering-ness. Major deadlines. Sort of playing hooky by writing this Corner note. Two days ago, participated in fantastic Cuban-American event in Greater Miami, held in part to honor Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, that battler for freedom who is retiring this year — but only from Congress. Look forward to telling you about the event, and Miami, in a column post-New Year’s. See you! Have a great one.
Jay,
I deal with the Chinese, Japanese, Germans, Brits, French, etc. The only Merry Christmas cards I get (email cards actually) are from the Chinese. The Germans used to, some still do, but they are dying out.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHere in the U.S.A., it's definitely winter, but not everyone celebrates Christmas. Hope this helps!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHunt down Christmas cards? Are you on another planet? My local Hallmark, in Suffolk NY, has 3 aisles of Christmas cards. Singing cards, recordable cards, funny cards, religious cards, cards for your pets, cards for your mailman, cards for whomever. A blind man with a lame and deaf dog could hunt down Christmas cards.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTom:
I think Jay meant cards that actually say Christmas.....
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI worry for the day when the PC-police realize that "holiday" means Holy Day. Those crazy Old English, what linguistic legerdemain do they have in store for us next?
I never much minded Happy Holidays. It's Big Tent Christianity. The people that bug me are the ones who say it with that smug "it's my Constitutional right and I'm gonna say it and you're gonna sit there and like it you PC-jerk" tone. Lighten up.
Anyway, for those who believe hemisphobia has set in for those of us in the North/West quadrant:
Merry Christmas!
Happy Christmas mate!
Shinnen omedeto. Merii Kurisumasu!
Sung Tan Chuk Ha!
Maligayang Pasko.
Selamat Hari Natal!
Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewa!
Chuc Mung Giang Sinh!
Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu!
La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou!
Een Plesierige Kerfees!
That was fun.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDo you honestly think it is hard to find cards saying "Merry Christmas"? In my liberal, mid-Atlantic college town, the Hallmark store has dozens and dozens of cards printed, big and clear, "Merry Christmas." What in the world kind of point are you trying to make?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYou're full of it, Nordlinger. I can get up from where I'm sitting and walk 500 feet to Walgreen's, in good ol' People's Republic of Massachusetts no less, and find a sprawling, excessive retail dedication to Christmas. Cards that say "Merry Christmas," Santa memorabilia, Christian-themed kitsch, you name it. You cannot escape Christmas at this time of year. This article and others like it are simply the tired annual tantrums employed by "journalists" in order to cash in on this fake "culture war" outrage.
I hear more conservatives crying because they heard someone say "Happy Holidays" in a single holiday season than I have ever heard any so-called "PC Police" complain about "Merry Christmas" in my entire lifetime. Conservatives are supposed to be about common sense, so quit making us look like clowns.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTry here:
External Link
Just being helpful.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIn college, a million years ago, I was part of the school choir which sang A Ceremony of Carols for one Christmas season, accompanied by only a harpist. It's not the easiest piece in the world, especially when you're singing four-part music with only 9 people. But it was worth the effort, and I still listen to it happily, still wishing my average voice and mediocre range sounded as good as any of the recordings...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWow, this post is an embarrassment. WFB is spinning away.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseCheez, what a load of bs this war on Christmas stuff is. It's hard to find a card that says Merry Christmas? Where in God's name are you shopping?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDoes telling blatant lies just to make a silly point really put Mr. Nordlinger in the Christmas mood?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI honestly would love to know what your motivation is for lying about Christmas cards in this piece, Nordlinger. Because Lord knows (and since He knows, YOU know), that you are flat out lying about your assertion that somehow Christmas cards are hard to find.
It seems like a small thing, to make up FROM WHOLE CLOTH a story like that, but it really isn't. To foster a sense of persecution, of divide, among Americans, when actually in this case there isn't one at all, is an absolutely shameful thing to do, especially during, gulp, CHRISTMAS.
Pretty pathetic. Sleep well.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseJesus, Nordlinger. I live in the People's Republic of Boulder (CO) and we even have a manufacturer of real-live Christmas Cards (Leanin' Tree Cards). We got boatloads of these cards!
I guess what gets me is that as a practicing engineer (you know, one of them "producers")I have to put out measurable, reviewed, quality work to get paid. You, however, seem to be paid for the simplest drivel.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseLook, it's not complicated. There are multiple holidays this time of year. Saying "Happy Holidays" is easy and polite.
I live in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City, where in 2004 voters went 87% for John Kerry. The local hardware store has nothing but Christmas decorations. There are Christmas trees for sale on every other block. Christmas melodies have made up 100% of our elevator muzak since Halloween.
It was not difficult to find Christmas cards at the local CVS. I sent some to my Christian friends -- and sent Hanukkah cards to my Jewish friends and "Happy Holidays" cards to families who celebrate both, or to coworkers whose preference is unknown to me.
It's really not that difficult and none of it is worth bothering about. Well, except for the Christmas muzak in the elevator. There oughta be a law.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTommy,
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAll those cards said Merry Christmas. Go to a card store, tell me honestly you cannot find cards that say Merry Christmas.
I just checked in the nearby Hallmark, the campus bookstore, and the Walgreens around the corner. All had numerous cards with the words "Merry Christmas" and there were even a few with overtly religious imagery. Lying to make a cheap political point makes Baby Jesus cry, you know.
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