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| Madonna And Child - Raphael 1516 |
It appears that someone is phasing out the word 'Christmas' and replacing it with 'holiday'. Now I ask you folks, what are we celebrating here if not for the birth of Jesus Christ, without that there would be no 'Christ'mas. Don't get me wrong, I am more 'evolution' than 'ark', but I do accept that (in a historical context) Jesus Christ existed...AND that millions of people want to celebrate his birth.
There are a few people who like to celebrate my birth too, but no one is saying 'Happy Holiday' on my birthday. (I don't get a holiday...but that's another story).
Why is this happening? We allow all sorts of people to have their own 'special' celebrations (Hanukkah, Ramadan, etc.) PLEASE can we keep Christmas.
What is the next step? Should we destroy all the wonderful paintings in the world, dating back centuries, simply because they illustrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
I TOTALLY REFUSE this concept, and in this spirit I give you the following:
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| Madonna and Child With Saints - Titian, 16th Century |
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| Madonna With Child - Bellini, 15th Century |
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| Nativity - Gerard David, 16th Century |
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| Christ's Birth - Jacques Darat, 15th Century |
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MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!...and to all, good night.
ReplyDeletePeople who do not celebrate Christmas may not be comfortable wishing others a Merry Christmas. Saying Happy Holidays may be their way of wishing others joy on their holiday.
Quite honestly, I have to agree with Sherry. I live in a place where I can't assume that everyone is celebrating Christmas. I myself am Jewish. I wish people Happy Holidays. If I know that they celebrate Christmas then I will wish them a merry one. I don't really feel that by saying "Happy Holidays" I am being disrespectful. On the other hand, I enjoyed your celebration of beautiful artworks depicting Christ's birth.
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely paintings, and although more or less agnostic, I still think we should leave the Christ in Christmas, or as I have friends with other beliefs Seasons Greetings, but Happy Holidays? No, no no.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Jo, and all the best to you in 2013!
ReplyDeletexo Carole
Merry Christmas Jo! They tried to go so far as to call Christmas trees "Holiday Trees" here, but the only reason you put them up is to celebrate Christmas so they are back to being called Christmas trees. If I don't personally know someone I wish them a Happy Holiday because here in California we have so many different faiths and people of no faith. I myself am a Christian and if I know the other person is, I definitely wish them a Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteGood point! I think in the blog world when we are not too sure of someone's faith we say happy holidays. Merry Christmas to you Jo!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas. :)
ReplyDeleteI've heard it credibly argued that the secularization of Christmas began with Protestants in the 1800s who objected to the Catholic origins of the holiday.
http://danielsilliman.blogspot.com/2012/12/culturally-contested-christmas.html
HI JM - best wishes and joy and peace during this period - Christmas and all. Go well. B
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoyed a blessed and merry Christmas, Jo! All the best to you for 2013!
ReplyDeleteThat's one heart felt message Jo, I'm hearing ya! Hope you had a lovely Christmas... x
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