I don’t get it. Some of my parishioners tell me that in the local public schools can teach about Hanukah. It's not only permissible but expected. They also teach about Kwanza. But there can be no mention of Christmas at all. Why?
I agree with teaching kids about the wonderful story of Hanukah and the relatively new story of Kwanza. But why is it forbidden to mention the word “Christmas”? Why is it OK to tell of gift giving at Hanukah but it is forbidden to tell of gift giving at Christmas?
This is extreme prejudice. If the reasoning is to draw a line between religion and our school systems, then why is the Jewish story part of the curriculum?
I suggest that everyone who has kids in public school invite their children to ask their teachers why they can’t talk about Christmas but they can talk about Hanukah.
This prejudice is so pervasive that it has taken over Starbucks. Here’s a little vignette from one of my parishioners, Jill:
The kids and I just stopped into a Starbucks in our town, Longmont, to pick up some coffee beans. I noted a sign on the door which read "Christmas Blend $5 off today only." I don't normally buy those beans.....but it was a great deal, more than 40% off! So, I asked the young man at the counter to tell me how the Christmas blend was different than my usual bean and his pitch was good enough that I said, "Ok, I'll try it!" When I reached for a bag of "Christmas blend" all that was left in the closest basket was decaf. Yet, in this giant festive basket near the counter there were tons of "Holiday Blend" bags. I kind of pouted and told the young man at the counter, "I guess your out." He leaned over and whispered, "No we're not really.....Holiday and Christmas blend are the same thing! One is just in a politically correct package." I told him, "Well, I want the Christmas Blend!" His response was to laugh and say...."You and everyone else!" Sadly, I went home with a Holiday Blend bag as there was truly not one bag of Christmas Blend coffee beans left in the store.
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