Yay!!   The weather outside is SPECTACULAR!   Highs not even reaching 60!  It’s making me want to drink hot chocolate, shop for Christmas presents (not that the weather really matters on Amazon Prime, I don’t guess), and start putting up Christmas decorations…

’tis also the season for the memes.  “I’m saying ‘Merry Christmas’ not ‘Happy Holidays. Like if you Agree'”  and “Let’s put the CHRIST back in CHRISTmas”… and “President Obama put a ‘Holiday Tree’ up in the White House.  Sign here if you think he should be impeached!” O Christmas Tree

Did you know that here in Texas we have a law protecting people’s right to say “Merry Christmas” in public schools.  That’s right!   No longer can students be put in the dungeon if they accidentally say “Merry Christmas” to someone.  God bless ‘merica!!!http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/06/14/perry-signs-merry-christmas-bill-into-law/

The bill was actually started because a state legislator got upset when his son came home and talked about the “holiday tree” that they were decorating for class.  Turns out the godless, liberal, heathen educators were not respecting the Christmas tree in all its glory.

I’ve been in education more than 20 years and on the Internet for just about that long.  I’m trying to find any instance of a school district employee or student getting in trouble for saying “Merry Christmas.”

And I suppose the Christmas Tree is such a sacred symbol because Mary and Joseph decorated one in the barn the night Jesus was born?  Let’s ignore the fact that its roots (pun intended) lie in pagan traditions.

In my English class this is what we call a Straw Man argument.  This is a logical fallacy wherein someone argues against a position that doesn’t even actually exist… It’s creating outrage for the sake of being outraged.

Okay… I admit it.  My main reason for celebrating Christmas is not to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  (Let’s not even argue the fact that scholars debate the actual date of Jesus’ birth all the time and that some say it was spring, some say summer, some say November… but December 25 was actually a pagan celebration.)  Christmas for me is all about family and spreading joy and cheer and butter!!    Doe s that mean, however, that I have taken the CHRIST out of Christmas?

To me that sounds like keeping the Christ IN Christmas…  being kind to my fellow man… loving one another… celebrating life.  Isn’t that what it’s all about?

As for the “happy holidays” debate… Ummmmm… look at the word!!  It MEANS “holy day.”  Isn’t that what we’re supposed to be celebrating!!!

So relax!   Enjoy your eggnog!   Hang the lights… play the music… celebrate!!!  There is no “War on Christmas!!!!!!!”

Way to go!  You have won your imaginary battle!   Enjoy the season!