By Michael J. Whelan
Irving Berlin wrote this classic song in 1940. Bing Crosby’s 1941 version of it is the best selling song of all time. With no disrespect to either Berlin or Bing, can you imagine if the first line of the song was: “I’m dreaming of a white holiday?”
Exactly, you cannot imagine it, can you? It would make no sense, would it?
So, at the risk of utter political incorrectness, I must ask why it has become so offensive to utter the phrase “Merry Christmas?” The entire point of tomorrow is the birth of Christ, period. And, for those who insist on saying “Happy Holiday” rather than “Merry Christmas”, have they ever stopped to think of the origin of the word “holiday?” If they bothered to look it up in Webster’s dictionary, they would see, to their horror, that it is derived from the Middle English words “holy day.”
If these politically correct folks think they’re not offending anyone by saying “Happy Holiday”, but rather saying something completely non-religious, then they’re wrong, based on the definition of the word.
Enough of this I say. If you feel like saying “Merry Christmas” then by all means do so. I know I will.
Merry Christmas to all!
Michael J. Whelan has been a licensed practicing attorney for over 33 years. He also serves as an arbitrator in the 11th Judicial Circuit Mandatory Arbitration program. In addition, he is presently the president of the board of directors of his homeowners association, and is also a member of the board of directors of The Old House Society. He and his wife of thirty-one plus years, Cheryl Whelan, live in Bloomington. He and Cheryl enjoy exercising, reading, and being close to family and friends.
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