May you find hope as you surround yourselves with your loved ones this Christmas Day. (photo by Ashley Canon/flickr)

By Jim Snow

Ah, Christmas day, a holiday when we spend a lot of money to give each other gifts. Gifts that are to celebrate the love we have for our family and others.

We have a number of holidays that are celebrations of presidents and leaders in our country. But this one has been designated to a man some of us revere as God. And that seems to make a significant difference for many of us.

Some people think Jesus never existed. Therefore, society in its politically correct mindedness, has decided “Merry Christmas” should be replaced as a greeting with “Happy Holidays” in many places. 

The Dalai Lama writes that all of the different religious faiths emphasize human improvement, love, respect for others, and sharing other people’s suffering. 

Now if celebrating the birth of Jesus can encourage those viewpoints and goals, why would we want to replace “Merry Christmas” with a phrase that has nothing to do with those concepts? Aren’t they worthy to everyone regardless of their beliefs? Don’t those concepts lend themselves to inner peace and happiness? Even to those who have little interest in spirituality? And as a country, don’t we represent compassion in the world? Don’t we want peace and safety for our loved ones? Isn’t that what we hope for our children? 

In these days of tragedies that seem to be all around us, what can we look to for hope? A holiday that represents love and peace should be revered no matter the name that it carries. 

So I say Merry Christmas to you all. And may you find hope as you surround yourselves with your loved ones this Christmas Day. And let us go forward with love, respect, and compassion for our fellow man. And let there be peace on earth.

Jim Snow is retired from State Farm Insurance where he was a consultant.

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