The call for political correctness around the Christmas season is nothing new. The question of whether to wish someone happy holidays or Merry Christmas rages on year after year.
Using either greeting can result in a lot of anger and angst. Some will be upset if you use the “C” word; others will get bent out of shape if you don’t.
One example of taking political correctness to an absurd level occurred during the McCarthy hearings in the States in the ‘50s. Fearing being labelled a Communist sympathizer, Gene Autry removed the following verse from Here Comes Santa Claus:
Here comes Santa Claus,
here comes Santa Claus,
Right down Santa Claus lane
He doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor
He loves you just the same
Santa Claus knows we’re all God’s children
That makes everything right
So fill your hearts with Christmas cheer
‘Cause Santa Claus comes tonight!
As Charlie Brown later remarked,
“Good grief!”
Just accept the fact that someone is offering you good tidings and be grateful. It would be so helpful if we all simply agreed to allow others the grace to greet us in peace.
Merry Christmas to all.
