Warmly Wish Whiners Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

An associate was worried this week about wishing someone "Merry Christmas" so I had a few things to say about how some folks are offended by being wished good thoughts. After all, it isn't wishing them anything other than they have a good Christmas.

"Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States on June 26, 1870" but after all these years, some people just don't get it.

They complain! They are offended by seeing Christmas displays, even those without religious

"Article the third... Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

This part keeps getting forgotten "or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" because some only care about what they can complain about.

How did this nation established for freedom become a nation of whiners assuming they have the power to "prohibit" what the Bill of Rights never gave them? How did we end up being told we cannot say what we want?

It seems the VA didn't get the memo and must be showing up for work on the 25th.  Someone complained about Christmas decorations so someone else took them down.  Guess it didn't matter how many people enjoyed seeing them.

It also seems that a Professor doesn't seem to understand this date either.

A professor at the University of Central Florida thinks the safest way to greet other people during the Christmas season is to wish them a “Happy Federal Holiday.” This bright idea belongs to Terri Fine, a professor of political science at the University of Central Florida
Happy Federal what? Because the U.S. government in some cases and the state government in others have identified certain days during the year as state and federal holidays, including those that fall during the late fall and winter season – Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day –we have no choice but to observe these holidays whether we want to or not.

Seriously? Well, she can't exactly show up for work if UCF is closed, then again, why would she want to if she gets paid for not working? She doesn't have to do anything she doesn't want to on December 25. No one does. No one has to do, hear or say anything they don't want to.

Hear Christmas music on the radio and don't like it, then change the station. Don't want to watch a program on TV, change the channel. If you don't want anything tied to Christmas, that is your choice, but that does not allow you to remove the rights of others to enjoy a day the way they want to.

Full Definition of holiday
: a day on which one is exempt from work; specifically
: a day marked by a general suspension of work in commemoration of an event

Simple Definition of holy day
: a day when a religious festival or holiday is observed

I am Easter Orthodox (Greek) and our tradition is,

Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger.

The real day Jesus was born is not known but then again, there are some Christians not acknowledging Christmas at all.

Christian sects and communities that reject the observance of Christmas for theological reasons include Jehovah's Witnesses; some adherents of Messianic Judaism; most Sabbatarian denominations, such as the True Jesus Church and the Church of God (7th-Day); the Iglesia ni Cristo; the Christian Congregation in Brazil; the Christian Congregation in the United States; and certain reformed and fundamentalist churches of various persuasions, including some Independent Baptist, Holiness, Apostolic Pentecostal, and Churches of Christ congregations

No one is forced to do anything when it comes to Christmas. They are not forced to stay home or go to a family dinner or even buy gifts for someone else. They are not forced to give to charities or volunteer their time with the homeless. They are not forced to go to parties or wear an ugly Christmas sweater. They don't have to decorate their property and when it comes to the neighbors doing it, it is their right to do it.

If you are offended by someone wishing you something good or wanting to do something nice for you, then you have bigger issues and should seek professional help. How does it harm you to let others enjoy it their way while you have the right to spend the day anyway you want to?

SO FROM ME TO YOU, I WARMLY WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!