Let’s sing!

O Christmas Tree…O Christmas Tree...

Ooops. Make that O Yule Tree…O Yule Tree...

Still not right. O Holiday Tree…O Holiday Tree...

Haven’t got it yet. Then how ‘bout O Not-Any-Special-Occasion Tree…

Enough already! The Portland Political Correctness Police have targeted the tree in Pioneer Square as a battleground for the Constitutional division between Church and State; and a feud has erupted in Portland’s “living room” as various factions square off about what exactly to call the conifer that looms there, covered with lights and looking very festive. But not…god (pun intended) forbid…a Christmas Tree.

What has happened here in our knee-jerk reaction to fundamentalist Christians becoming the enemy and by association all Christians? Now we have the zealots saying it is not acceptable to celebrate a religious holiday in a public place. Ever. What’s next? Will Hallmark stores have to keep Christmas cards behind the counter like Playboy? And what about all that gift merchandise at Wal-Mart with Santa Claus on the package? How…in the name of you know who…do you take the Christ out of Christmas. And why? No matter how commercialized the holiday season has become, a predominantly Christian nation who trusts in God does celebrate Christmas in some religious manner. Maybe some of them would like to be able to admit that out loud.

Well…I don’t want the rabid religious right chosing my President, but I don’t want the other side taking away my Christmas Tree either. So I am singing at the top of my voice!

O Christmas Tree…O Christmas Tree…