JOSE MACIEL: Merry Christmas (yes, you heard me right)
| Wednesday, Nov 25 2009 12:56 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Nov 25 2009 12:58 PM
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Merry Christmas. Used to be able to say that to everybody, without fear of offending or lawsuits. Merry Christmas. Hard to think that those two words can be found offensive.
Conducted an unscientific poll among people I know -- unscientific because I don't know how to do a scientific one. These people are a diverse group: liberals, conservatives, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, agnostics and even atheists. The poll was simple and consisted of one question: I asked if they've ever been offended by being wished a Merry Christmas. (Results can be found in the last paragraph, but don't cheat. Stick with me here!)
As a kid, we spent our Christmases with family in L.A. I remember a certain feel in the air, and I'm not talking about the smog. People were more courteous and respectful around that time of the year -- in busy stores hunting for a bargain, in restaurants, even on the busy L.A. freeways. I sometimes wondered why we couldn't be civil to one another year-round.
During one Christmas vacation (remember when we could call it that?) while in college I was with some buddies. It was night and we were looking for a party, driving around in an old hand-me-down clunker. We pulled up next to an old guy in a shiny Porsche. I was riding shotgun. With all windows rolled up against the winter chill, thinking he couldn't hear me, I challenged him to a race. We all cracked up laughing loudly at the thought. I looked back at the other driver. He was rolling down his window. Yikes. "What did you say?" he asked. Gulp.
I slowly rolled down my window hoping the light would change. No such Christmas luck. My window was all the way down by now. Our eyes met. "Merry Christmas" I offered. "And Merry Christmas to you guys," he replied with a smile. A true Christmas moment.
I still wish people a Merry Christmas. Go ahead, say it with me: "Merry Christmas." Say it again. Now say it to the first person you meet outside your home. And keep saying it. To the person behind the speaker at the drive-through. The person in the car next to you. You don't even have to challenge him to an absurd race. Maybe say it your gardener.
Don't know when some people started finding Merry Christmas offensive. Offensive! I mean, Christmas is an internationally recognized event. Wars have been put on hold for Christmas. We all need to be tolerant of one another's beliefs. If you wish me a happy St. Patrick's Day I don't get offended. Or miffed, or vexed -- whatever that means. If you celebrate it and wish me a happy day, well, thanks. But in the true sense of tolerance, you should accept my well wishes to you. Merry Christmas. No offense meant.
I love listening to Christmas music -- at home, in stores or while driving around. Nothing puts me into the Christmas spirit faster. That music helped get me through some rather rough Christmases. Now I have the wife and son and the Christmas spirit we share. It's in the air. There's no escaping it, not even by the biggest Scrooge amongst us. Close your eyes and feel it. Now spread it around. It's your gift to the people you know. And to strangers. Costs nothing to give. One size fits all.
The results of my survey are in. Nobody, not even the non-believers, would be offended by being wished a Merry Christmas. But you already knew the results. It's the season.
Oh, and have a very Merry Christmas!
These are Jose Maciel's opinions and not necessarily those of The Californian.
