Christmas.....there are 2 of them you know.

First the P.C. disclaimer: I am not out to offend anyone. I am only letting my point of view out, a point of view that is "on the outside looking in". Besides, barely anybody reads this so what the heck.

Now onto the meat.

Several things this Holiday Season have piqued my curiosity and interest. Among them are news story about the Seattle airport taking down their Christmas tree decorations because a Rabbi suggested they should put up a menorah (with an "I'll sue you if you don't" contingency), saying the phrase "Merry Christmas" in public, and an elementary (public) school violin "concert" where a Jewish boy refrained from playing any "Christmas" themed music.

People seem to have forgotten, or perhaps they never knew, that there are actually TWO separate Christmas's in the USA. YES, there are two, one is secular, one is religious.

Christmas Trees, Jingle Bells, Santa Claus, Holly, Yule Log, etc. - All secular, NOT religious. This is the holiday that the United States made a National Holiday. There are scores of religions that base celebrations around this time of the year. And December 25th is a sort of culmination of all that, with one day set aside.

The Nativity, Joy to the World, Angels, Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Matthew 1:18- 2:23 - Religious!

See the difference?

The thing is we have a choice to celebrate one, both, or none of these. It's sort of like making the Fourth of July a National Holiday. Some people celebrate, others don't. Everybody gets a day off.

Back to the Seattle Airport - I fully understand and appreciate the Rabbi's desire to see a menorah in the airport (but disagree strongly with the "or else I'll sue!!). The problem is Christmas trees are not a religious symbol, where the menorah is. The irony is that a Christmas tree is probably the best choice for an innocuous, non-exclusive symbol of the holiday. I wish more people could see this aspect of the story.

This same clash of Faith surfaced at a Holiday violin concert that was put on by the public school my daughter goes to. The important detail here is that it's a public school - think about it, would any public school these days make their student body play religious themed music? I don't think so. So it was very curious for me to watch a Jewish boy decide to not play "Jingle Bells". There is nothing about "Jingle Bells" that even hints at anything religious. It's about dashing through the snow, and laughing all the way. Having fun in the snow riding on a sleigh.

I can understand if he chose not to play "Joy to the World" or something, but these types of songs where deliberately excluded from the show.

The term "Merry Christmas" can mean a couple different things too. It is saying "Have a great holiday" but I don't think it even means "I am Christian and I am forcing my beliefs on you". Yet the latter is exactly how some people take it, and I find that sad.

I could give a rip if somebody said "Happy Chanukah" or "Wonderful Kwanzaa" or whatever to me. I would take it as it was meant - somebody wishing me well, and being friendly. Heavens NO! Not that!

Can't we all just enjoy the time of year that all religions have set aside for peace and happiness among men (and women) ;)