It's Okay to Say Merry Christmas!

Christmas is such a special time of the year for me and my family. It's a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

In my home decorations are put out right after Thanksgiving. The other day while out driving at night i noticed most every house was lit up with very festive Christmas lights, and yards were decorated proudly, showing Americas love for Christmas. Yet if you go into most of the main stores here in America one is not to say the words Merry Christmas! The politically correct thing to say now is Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings. In fact if you say Merry Christmas to the cashier or check out person you will most likely hear silence.

My sons are in school and it is that time of year when school plays are being put on.

When i was a child, my parents came to watch our school plays about the birth of Jesus, and hear us sing proudly the songs well remembered by many. We sang Joy to the World, Silent night, and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas!" Now the programs that are put on by our schools, none of those songs will be heard, and one will not see a play about the birth of Jesus. How sad is that?

According to an article posted by the ADF:

ADF announced November 15, 2006, that it has more than 950 allied attorneys available nationwide to combat any improper attempts to censor the celebration of Christmas in schools and on public property. A request for legal representation is available online:

The angels proclaimed His name and so can we:

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." (Luke 2: 9-15)

Federal law proclaims "Christmas Day, December 25." 5 U.S.C. § 6103. Even judges know it:

The fact that § 6103 may accommodate Christians who wish to engage in religious celebrations of Jesus Christ's birth does not mean that the holiday has an impermissible religious effect. The Supreme Court forcefully has stated "when the state … cooperates with religious authorities by adjusting the schedule of public events to sectarian needs, it follows the best of our traditions. Ganulin v United States, 71 F Supp 2d 824, 836 (S.D. Ohio 1999) (citing Zorach v. Clauson, 343 U.S. 306, 313-14 (1952); aff'd, 2000 U.S. App. LEXIS 33889 (U.S. App. LEXIS 6th Cir. 2000); cert. denied, 532 US 973 (2001).

"Frankly, it's ridiculous that Americans have to think twice about whether it's okay to say 'Merry Christmas,'" said ADF President Alan Sears. "Thanks to the ACLU and its allies, Christmas isn't what it used to be. It's time to repair the damage that such organizations have done to America's favorite holiday. An overwhelming majority of Americans oppose censoring Christmas."

According to recent polls:

* 95 percent of Americans celebrate Christmas (Fox News/Opinion Dynamics, 2005).

* 90 percent of Americans recognize Christmas as the birthday of Jesus Christ (Gallup, 2000).

* 88 percent of Americans say it is okay for people to wish others "Merry Christmas," and the majority of Americans are more likely to wish someone they just met "Merry Christmas" rather than "Happy Holidays" (CNN/USA Today/Gallup, 2004).

* 87 percent of Americans believe nativity scenes should be allowed on public property (Fox News/Opinion Dynamics, 2003).

The purpose of the joint Christmas project is to clear up misconceptions about seasonal religious expression on public property:

* The U.S. Supreme Court has never ruled that public schools must ban the singing of religious Christmas carols or prohibit the distribution of candy canes or Christmas cards.

* School officials do not violate the Constitution by closing on religious holidays such as Christmas and Good Friday.

* School officials are not legally obligated to recognize all other religious holidays simply because they officially recognize Thanksgiving or Christmas.

* School officials may use "Christmas Vacation" to refer to the December holiday break without offending the Constitution.

* Government-sponsored Christmas displays are not banned as some people believe. When faced with the question of whether a Christmas display is constitutional, a court simply asks, "Is the government celebrating the holiday or promoting religion?


It is time for Christians to take back Christmas.