Letters from the frontlines in the War on Christmas

In these jolly times, sometimes we must turn our attention to something less happier. Yes: The War. No, not that little skirmish over in the Sandbox — the insurgents are in their “last throes,” I swear — but the War on Christmas.

The WoC has been heating up for the past few years, but this year it has just gotten way too much. Secular humanists ripping down Christmas trees, Athiests burning wreathes, Muslims not celebrating at all. And don’t get me started on “Happy Holidays.” But it’s also important to know who’s fighting the good fight, and who’s clearly trying to win the battles.

Those battles, of course, are taking place on the letters pages of community newspapers across the country. In this week’s Northeast Times, some of the warriors — on both sides of the fight — have weighed in, and I’d like to highlight a few choice examples. For example, this week’s letters page contains this dispatch:

Don’t you dare take away my faith

Now that the Christmas season is upon us, it’s time for those dreaded “Happy Holidays” remarks to be tossed about as well as the documentaries about Christ on the Discovery Channel.

I do enjoy the documentaries, and it is interesting to learn more about Christ the man, his life and times, etc., however, I cannot help but detect in these programs the scientific views and explaining away of Christ the son of God.

It would seem that everything Christ was said to have accomplished really didn’t happen at all. Isn’t it any wonder Christmas is so secular these days?

I don’t believe in Christ the son of God because my church tells me that’s what I’m supposed to believe. I believe in Christ the son of God because a man named Jesus, the son of a carpenter, obviously accomplished something so momentous that today, 2,000 years later, the world is still affected by those accomplishments, hence, the religion called Christianity. It’s called faith, people, and no one has the right to take that away from me. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Esther Skitek
Tacony

Esther gives us a little history lesson here to blunt the attacks of the WoC, as well as a catchphrase-able statement: “It’s called faith, people!” In case you’re a little confused about the history here, you can get the result via simple math:

Carpenter’s son does something momentous + 2,000 years = Christianity

See, aren’t you glad that you have my analysis? The rest of the Northeast Times holiday — err, Christmas — cheer after the jump.

The real enemy is the secular world

This is in response to the letter from Heather Evans-Smith (The retailers that stole Hanukkah, Dec. 8 edition).

Dear Heather, I fully agree with you about the problem of chain stores not selling things for Hanukkah. Although I am not of the Jewish faith, I am a Christian, and that means that I believe in the same God. And because of this, I can say that it is unfair that this country is doing its best to stop any worship of the God of Israel!

I personally have STOPPED buying things from Wal-Mart, Target and a few other stores because of this, and the way they are stopping Christmas in general. Why should I (or you) spend your hard-earned money and give to people who are trying their best to stop the worship of God?

If enough Christians and Jews would stop fighting themselves long enough to look around, they would all see that the real enemy is the secular world, not the Jews vs. Christians.

So, I would like to suggest that this year (and every year) we all (Jews and Christians) start looking to God. If not, we may find ourselves in Babylon.

It is such a shame that people want to take the Christ out of Christmas. The retailers want the money that they make, and the people seem to want the benefits of Christmas, but so many want to take the Christ out of Christmas.

Has everyone forgotten that the only reason for the “holiday” is Christ? Has everyone forgotten that the only reason we can even do what we do is because our forefathers, who honored Jesus Christ, fought for this freedom and gave their lives for it? If anyone does not believe this, please let them read the debates on the American Constitution. It is plainly stated in more than one place that they believed in Jesus Christ and the Bible. The freedom they fought for was to worship Jesus Christ, and it seems that Jesus Christ is the only one that this country wants to censor. Wake up people! Jesus Christ is the God of the universe and He IS COMING BACK! When He does, it would pay for you to be on the right side of the fence.
Philip A. Caristo
Bustleton

There seems to be a run on “[Blank], people!” statements today. Philip exposes the secular humanists’ secret plot to stop having their companies sell menorahs in order to ruin Christmas. Also, I’m glad he recruits the Jews for the war and then later essentially say they’re going to hell. That’s some good strategy.

Put Christ back in Christmas

It’s Christmas time again. A time we get together with family and friends to exchange gifts. Most importantly, it’s a time to reflect on the birth of Christ. Did I just say Christ and Christmas? Oh no! I must be politically incorrect!

Sadly, the media have played a great part in trying to take Christ out of the name of the season. Yet, without Christ there would be no Christmas season. Sadly, the media have rubbed off on so many people. Compare the number of Santa decorations with the number of Nativity scenes. Most would see Santa. Sad. Most tree stands and store signs say X-mas, not Christmas. Even the Today Show referred to Christmas as X-mas! Politically, it’s wrong to say Christmas, but in society we can boldly make the name of Christ a cuss word. Christmas has been commercialized and the theme shifted to Santa and toys. It’s not the Holiday Season or X-mas, it’s Christmas!

Christmas isn’t an offending name. Christ came to save the lost; Christmas reminds people of this very fact. The people who are trying to take Christ out of Christmas don’t want to realize that Christ came for a purpose, and that is to save the lost. Take a moment to imagine if Christ never was born in Bethlehem. There would be no Christmas. Dec. 25 would just be like any other day.

So, this Christmas, refer to the holiday as it should be: Christmas. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Gregory T. Schmidt
Castor Gardens

More history lessons here for the secular humanists. Not only does Gregory explain how Christmas wouldn’t be possible without Christ, he also writes that saying Xmas is a curse word! Indeed, he’s shattered the myth that the liberal OED propogated that Xmas comes from XPmas, XP being an ancient (Greek) abbreviation for Christ’s name. This is just what Microsoft wants you to think, actually. Xmas is actually a curse! If the Today show says it, it must be dirty.

And now, a look at the other side:

Here’s a last-minute gift idea

Millions of Americans — thousands of Philadelphians — have seen Fahrenheit 9/11 in the movie theaters. The movie is available on DVD.

I strongly recommend that people buy it and watch it again, at home, for a second, third and fourth time.
Bill Kranz
Lawndale/Crescentville

Don’t fall for the devil’s lies, people! Haven’t you heard. He is COMING SOON!

And, one final letter:

Bad journalists! Bad, bad journalists!

What a shameful time to be a journalist today. A vote just took place in a country where a sadistic ruler made it impossible for anyone to have their say in anything. The citizens of Iraq voted for the first time in their lives to choose their own government. Saddam is clearly not the chosen president. The Iraqi people are grateful to America and our military for making this day possible. Yet, your continued biased attitude has prevented you from being a part of this historic day.
I know you will live to regret your total ignorance and lack of support for the Iraqi people and our troops. President Bush will have a great place in history. He is and has been a strong leader, determined to win the war against terror. His rewards in history will be great. Liberal media newspapers have shown a total disrespect and poor judgment on reporting of Iraq. You have put our soldiers in harm’s way, you have been a disgrace to the majority of Americans. Shame and guilt will follow you.

I hope it was worth it to cater to the Democrat Party, a party that truly represents all the evil in our country. They are the party who believes in late-term abortions but will be quick to defend the death penalty for a murderer. They would prefer the word God to be taken out of the English language.

They would prefer to give out condoms and free needles rather than promote abstinence and programs. They want to redefine what marriage is. They are cowards, and rather than fight the enemy, they prefer to cut and run. They are extremely weak on defense.

If they ever get power back, we will surely be attacked. They have no plan, no vision for America, other than to destroy it. They smear, complain whenever they don’t get what they want. They run on hate and anger, coming out daily to condemn our president. They seek out Republicans to bring down politically. They are a very bitter group of politicians.

They think that they are entitled to power, that power should be handed to them, rather than won in an election. They hate President Bush simply because he won.

It was a wonderful day for the Iraqi people and it passed by you, and because of your refusal for TRUTH, you are not a part of history.
Barbara O’Donnell
Somerton

Okay, this last one actually has nothing to do with the War on Christmas. I just thought it was funny. For many reasons.

Northeast Times Letters Page 12.22