This is Canada, and Christmas has been part of our tradition and culture for generations.
Today, though, it is somehow offensive. It's being made into a dirty word, which makes no sense. To the Christmas haters, I ask, why are you not tolerant of the millions of us who love this time of year? You preach tolerance, but can't practise it yourselves.
This nation has also opened its doors to immigrants so they can have a chance at a better quality of life and freedom. So why would some complain about our traditions and culture?
Our family shops at stores that show respect and courtesy to Canadian culture and traditions by calling Christmas Christmas. It really is simple, don't compromise. London Drugs and Canadian Tire are among the few that still respect our traditions and culture, so why not support them?
Christmas is just as much a secular holiday as it is a religious one, and both should be respected. Time for the haters to quit hating and to tolerate Christmas. Holiday tree? Holiday gifts? Really? This is what is being forced on us in an attempt to eliminate the word Christmas.
The idea that we have other holidays so we need to say "holiday" instead of "Christmas" is bunk. Hanukkah and Kwanzaa may be in December, but retailers know they don't pay the bills. Retail advertising does not acknowledge either of these holidays, nor does the music of TV shows. What does that tell you?
The problem isn't the word holiday, but the fact Christmas is being replaced by it. Holiday tree, holiday gifts, holiday music, holiday shows, holiday classics, yet no other holidays are referenced in them.
The word Christmas being offensive? This is one of the craziest things out there. I don't like Halloween, but I'm not so low as to protest it or try to remove it from our culture. I tolerate it, as do others.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays.
David Mercier,
Penticton