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Commentary: You can't take Christ out of Christmas

(CNN) -- This whole push to remove Christ from the Christmas season has gotten so ridiculous that it's pathetic.

Because of all the politically correct idiots, we are being encouraged to stop saying "Merry Christmas" for the more palatable "Happy Holidays." What the heck are "Seasons Greetings"? Can someone tell me what season we are greeting folks about? A Christmas tree? Oh, no! It's now a holiday tree. Any Christmas song that even remotely mentions Christ or has a religious undertone is being axed for being overtly religious. And I'm sorry, forget X-M-A-S. Malcolm X? Yes. X replacing Christ? No.

Don't get me wrong; I'm very respectful of other religions. I don't want anyone to be afraid of discussing the Jewish faith when we address Hanukkah. And we shouldn't dismiss Muslims when the annual pilgrimage to Mecca is held during December. In fact, Americans are so ignorant of other faiths that we can all learn from one another.

But this seeming backlash against Christianity is bordering on the absurd, and we should continue to remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.
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I know that may sound strident, but it's true. We spend an inordinate amount of time focused on shopping and buying gifts, but really, what does any of this have to do with the birth of Jesus? We have families all over the nation killing themselves to buy a tree they can't afford, running up their credit to buy toys and other gifts, all in an effort to make someone else happy.

What if families decided to forgo gifts, and instead, used their shopping days giving back to those in need? What if more of us went into our closets, grabbed old toys and clothes, repackaged them, and provided them as gifts to those without? Instead of gorging on food, what if we used some of the dough to feed those who are in need? What if we blew off those gift cards to electronic retailers and signed up with Networkforgood.org, and gave someone a gift card to their favorite charity?

Sure, I know I sound like a reincarnation of a flower child, but really, do we have to be so crass during the Christmas season?

Its time that we return to traditional values, and end this ridiculous charade. It's important that we take a fuller account of WHY we celebrate Christmas, as opposed to falling for the barrage of ads that tell us what is most important.

Parents, don't be so consumed with the notion that your children will have a terrible Christmas because the tree isn't overflowing with gifts. The true love that you show them is more important than anything else.

America might be the king of capitalism, but secularism must never become so prevalent that our religious traditions are discarded.

Roland S. Martin is a nationally award-winning journalist and CNN contributor. Martin is studying to receive his master's degree in Christian communications at Louisiana Baptist University, and he is the author of "Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith." You can read more of his columns at www.rolandsmartin.com.

booooooooooooooooooooooooo

CHRISTUS NATUS EST!

Christ is a sailor?

Oh...I thought you said "Nautus".

That Uncle Tom needs to STFU.

Racial slurs now, Glenn?

Congrats, new low.

Is "Uncle Tom" if used by a white person?

I'm asking seriously...I'm not familiar with the rules.

The question was whether or not it's a racial slur when used by white people. Part of my sentence was missing.

I think it is a racial slur when used by a white, unless they mean it as a compliment.

I don't know. I am confused also. All I know is I have 2 gifts left to pick up, all done after that, and am off for the next 5 days. Buy stock in Steve's Liquor Store, Inc. before I hit there on the way home.

Uncle Tom is a character in a book

Thanks. I suppose the 100 Years War is over too, then?

I think it is a racial slur when used by a white, unless they mean it as a compliment.

That's what I was thinking. If someone like GGB used it in the proper context and with the right inflexion, I assumed it could be like two african americans calling each the N word.

While all of this is happening, Uncle Tom is sold and placed on a riverboat, which sets sail down the Mississippi River. While on board, Tom meets and befriends a young white girl named Eva. When Eva falls into the river, Tom saves her.

Still chasin dem white women

Never read the book, does Tom have a bad day after that, for inappropriately touching the white woman?

Tom is portrayed as the Christ-like figure thruout the book

He is eventually killed because he won't rat out two runaway slaves

Justice served, then.

Justice served, then.

Everytime you look in the mirror, yes.

BTW, what DID you do that pissed God off so?

Stop snitchin has been around for awhile then.

F_B, not part of the GGB Defense team, not the a) he needs one or b) that I'd willingly take on that workload- but what's your seemingly earnest preoccupation w. what that cat looks like?

I mean, even at its most heated out here, people (sans DSLY- but then again I said 'people') don't go down that path with oneanother. It's one of the things that makes it seem like whats said out here durin discussion or debate truly isn't personal, and allows for things like two seemingly unlikely folks to potentially meet up at a gathering or tailgate.

Like when I invited you to what I felt was gonna be a pretty good NYC gathering.

Now the next one will likely be APRIL- the draft, btw- to which you're again invited.

But seriously man, you seem to love to throw that card out at he and he alone, and at least he's comfortable enuff to show up to gatherings, have his pic taken and posted.

I dunno.

What happens if you your white, but have a Uncle who is black and named Tom?

PS- How did Kwanza get thrown into the real "Holiday" discussion?

Top 5 Christmas songs written by Jewish song writers....

1. “White Christmas” - While there are more than five Christmas carols written by Jewish songwriters, I thought I’d just cover my favorites, starting with not only the most famous Christmas song written in modern times, but according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the best-selling single of all-time.

irving_berlin.jpgWritten by: Irving Berlin in 1940

Actually written by: Israel Isidore Baline (Irving’s real name)

Written while: seated poolside at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona (talk about your White Christmas!)

Made famous by: Bing Crosby in the movie Holiday Inn

Cool Irving Berlin fact: Refusing to make money off his deep-seated patriotism, Berlin donated all the royalties from “God Bless America” (just another little ditty he penned!) to the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Campfire Girls

jmarks.gif2. “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer”

Written by: Johnny Marks in 1949

Based on: a poem/story penned by Marks’ brother-in-law, who invented Rudolph

Made famous by: Gene Autry, whose recording sold over 2 million copies in the first year alone

Famous Rudolph mondegreen: “Olive, the other reindeer” (see my post on mondegreens if you don’t know what they are)

Cool Johnny Marks fact: He is the great-uncle of economist Steven Levitt, co-author of one of my favorite books of all time, Freakonomics

styne_j_pic2.jpg3. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”

Written by: composer Jule Styne in 1945 with lyrics by Sammy Cahn

Actually written by: Julius Kerwin Stein and Samuel Cohen (real names)

Made Famous by: Vaughn Monroe, hitting #1 on Billboard in ’46

Curious “Let it Snow” fact: the lyric never once mentions Christmas

Cool Jule Styne fact: he also wrote the music for the musicals Gypsy and Funny Girl

livingston_evans2.jpg4. “Silver Bells”

Written by: Jay Livingston and Ray Evans in 1951

Actually written by: Jacob Harold Levison and Raymond Bernard Evans (real names)

Introduced by: Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell in the movie The Lemon Drop Kid

Made Famous by: Bing Crosby and Carol Richards

Cool “Silver Bells” fact: the song was inspired by the silver bells of the Salvation Army bell ringers, thus making it one of the few Christmas carols about the city, as opposed to the usual rural countryside setting

ahague1.gif5. “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”

Written by: Albert Hague in 1966 (with words/lyrics by Dr. Seuss, of course)

Actually written by: Albert Marcuse, who was born in Berlin, but his family raised him Lutheran with the last name Hague in order to avoid the raging anti-Semitism in the 1920/30s (He got out of Europe just in time, landing in America in 1939)

Made Famous by: Thurl Arthur Ravenscroft, who made a name for himself singing and doing voice-overs for Disney


Curious Albert Hague fact: He was also an actor! You can see him in both the movie and TV series, Fame, playing the role of Shorofsky

What hell is up with the real long copy and pastes lately? Links not working anymore?


Oh, and F_B's reply was actually the height of irony, but I am in too good of a mood to get into it.



" b) that I'd willingly take on that workload"


NTF.

F_B, not part of the GGB Defense team, not the a) he needs one or b) that I'd willingly take on that workload- but what's your seemingly earnest preoccupation w. what that cat looks like?

It was a joke. Glenn's got a thick skin, it's proven. Being as fat and funny lookin' as I am, I think I can go there, yes?

BTW, are they gonna have Monsterburgers at your draft party?

And yes, the "workload" comment was funny.

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