Well, it’s already started…people complaining on Facebook about the “thought police,” those enforcers of political correctness, telling us we can’t wish people Merry Christmas. We can’t risk offending anyone. So I started wondering who “they” were, these folks infringing on my freedom of speech. Is there, in fact, a “they”?? I’ve never in my life had anyone tell me they were offended when I said “Merry Christmas” to them. Maybe “they” are out there but so far, “they” have left me alone. I mostly just hear people complaining about “them.”
Here’s a thought…forget about it! If it’s really a problem at all, it’s miniscule compared to the very real problems we face all year round. At Christmas time, maybe we’d be better off focusing on what’s important; that is, what the real message of the season is. Peace on earth, good will towards your fellow humans, the joy on a child’s face when he sees Santa Claus. Why don’t we let our righteous indignation take a holiday and focus on giving of ourselves with an open heart? To me, that’s the spirit of Christmas. Anyone who has a problem with that is pretty much of a Grinch anyway. The heck with’em. Here’s a poem from my friend, Mike Moutoux, that I think describes the Christmas spirit just fine.

Christmas at the Line Shack
Mike Moutoux, Nov. 2003

‘Twas Christmas Eve, the sun has set and dark was drawing near
I was all alone at the ranch line-shack, a turn for which I liked to volunteer
When you’re 50 years old and single, town ain’t the place to be
There’s too much family goins-on, it’s just better if I’m out there on Christmas Eve

Been doin’ this for fifteen years, the others think I’m kind
But without the colored lights or holiday bustle, it helps take the whole thing off my mind
Out there, it’s just me and the cows and a horse for company
No mistletoe, no nativity scene, no gigglin’ children on Santa’s knee

I’d spent the day out on a stretch of fence. Where it was broke, I got down and fixed it
Busted some ice in the crick so the cows could drink, now for supper, coffee, beans, and a biscuit
About then the wind started blowin’ and ridin’ it a strange kind of noise
It was almost like voices, like singin’, like a choir of girls and boys

I grabbed my coat and stepped outside, though dark, I could see just fine
It was a group of riders each holdin’ a lantern, strung out in a great big line
They were comin’ down the slope, followin’ the contours of the ground
Like a herd of snowflakes glowin’ from within, they were swirlin’ all around

I stood there in quiet amazement; it was really quite a thrill
All them riders singing, those yellow lights dancin’ as they wound down the snow- covered hill
They all gathered at the shack, it was there I could finally see
My neighbors, my friends, and their families all dismountin’ and smilin’ at me

“Well,” says I, “Ain’t this a surprise, ain’t you folks got Christmas to do?”
“Yes we have,” says a voice in the back, “but first we’re bringin’ Christmas to you.”
It seems they’d been to church that day and heard what the first Christmas was like
Afterwards, they were talkin’ about good will to men, when someone said, “You know, we should go visit Mike.”

Now they didn’t stay long, but long enough to fill that cabin and my heart with their good will
But the best gift of all is the memory of them riders in the dark, on that snow-covered hill
~
No matter what this time of year means to you, I hope you get to spend quality time with family and friends. I hope you can bring a smile to the face of a child. I hope you remember that it really is better to give than to receive. And I hope you keep in mind that all of these things are just as meaningful throughout the year. Merry Christmas, y’all.