Tis the Season to be Jolly?

December 22, 2014

At Christmastime I am always full of mixed emotions and try to keep everything in perspective as best I can. I find it interesting to listen to the debates of whether it is proper to say “Merry Christmas” versus “Happy Holidays.”  I find it painful at times to be in traffic and to witness acts by people who are probably kind-hearted, but it isn’t apparent in their driving in the Dallas mall traffic.

I always wonder, “What am I going to get my wife of almost 30 years who barely has any room to put anything new anywhere?” Although I am in good health, having had cancer twice, back surgery three times, knee surgery and shoulder surgery, I cannot help but hurt for those who face medical challenges especially during this festive season. I also think about all the service providers, including doctors, nurses, police, firemen, our military service members and countless other people who support others in all sorts of ways. It is hard to me to get all caught up in the season knowing that there are people who need jobs to feed their families.  I know that there are people sitting around kitchen tables wondering how they are going to get through this season and there are people in private jets going to great vacation places with their families.  In my 62 years I have been in both situations and cannot forget either experience.

So here’s my opinion, right or wrong and subject to some possible changes.  We celebrate Christmas because of our beliefs, so it is correct to say “Merry Christmas.” We respect everyone’s right to whatever they may believe, but Christmas started as Christmas for a reason and needs to remain Christmas.  I cannot help but think that if we don’t call Christmas, “Christmas” and say “Happy Holidays” that that would include Veteran’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Labor Day, and the list goes on. The actual holidays meanings would disappear over time.

I try to focus on my interpretation of the “spirit of Christmas.” For me, it’s a time of giving to let people know that you care and are appreciative, regardless of your religious beliefs. It’s a time to say “thank you” to those who serve and care for us. For many of us, the Christmas season is a time to perform some serious soul searching in Advent and to remind ourselves of our Christian religious beliefs as we also respect those with different beliefs. I know I don’t have all the answers, but I just want to share with you some of my thoughts and wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas from me and everyone at the KING AEROSPACE Companies.