You Can't Steal My Christmas

YOU CAN'T STEAL MY **CHRISTMAS*

Poem by Sharon Steege

I don't know who they are
Saying I can't greet the crowd
The way that I want to
Can't say **CHRISTMAS** out loud.

I walk into a business place
See things that I rather not see
But dare I not say **CHRISTMAS**
And ask for a 'holiday' tree.

What happened to freedom of speech
And living in the land of the free
How can they take my **CHRISTMAS** money
But can't say **MERRY CHRISTMAS** to me.

Men and women have given their lives
So we could still go free
I wonder how they would feel
At saying HOLIDAY TREE.

Come on AMERICA let's wake up
Don't let our freedom escape
If they get by with doing this
What else will they take.

This is starting to get out of hand,
And I've begun to keep track
Well I've just about had enough
I'M TAKING CHRISTMAS BACK.*

So MERRY CHRISTMAS AMERICA **
I hope this gets all over the net
If we all stand united and take freedom back
'Twill be our best CHRISTMAS YET!

Merrrrry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus !

***

Someone I know sent me the above email. It's the same old nonsense we hear every year. Christmas is being stolen blah blah blah. War on Christmas blah blah.

First off, there is no war on Christmas. The only reason that some businesses choose to use a more generic term is because we live in a society where non-Christians live. These businesses would like to include all non-Christians in an enjoyable celebration (slash consumer orgy). It's not that they are 'afraid' or that they hate Jesus, it is simply trying to be nice to everyone. Nice meaning wishing to take money equally from all consumers.

Secondly, the footnote about Jesus' birthday is clearly misguided. There is no compelling evidence in the Bible that Jesus was born on December 25th. None whatsoever.

The fact is there was no knowledge when the Bible was written as to when exactly Jesus was born. So the church simply selected celebration day of the Roman god Sol (god of the Sun).

The book of Luke tells us that Mary and Joseph were forced to travel to Bethlehem to as part of a government census ordered by Caesar Augustus. But such an order would be hugely impractical in December, due to the harsh weather at that time of the year.

If you take the time to do the research, consider what the shepherds were doing at the time, consider the astrological evidence regarding a big noticeable star. It all points to Jesus NOT being born on December 25th.

So let's not pretend there is a war on Christmas, especially here in America. And let's not try and pretend that Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem on December 25th. Because even the Bible doesn't support that theory.

And finally, since when did an asterisk become part of an acceptable poem structure?