The Millennial Star

Avoiding the Christmas Wars

This year I’m not feeling my usual anxiety — I don’t want to say yet, maybe it will come, maybe it won’t. Who knows. I’m glad though that right now, I”m not stressing about the holidays like I usually do. That said, I’ve noticed the same holiday stories creeping into my newsfeeds and those things might give me anxiety!

I’m not linking to any particular story — no one needs clicks from me — but you know what I’m talking about:

“Saying Happy Holidays is More Inclusive than Saying Merry Christmas.”

“Bring Back Merry Christmas!”

“We Only Celebrate Christmas Here!”

“Christian Groups upset over Starbucks Holiday Cup.”

“10 People Trampled on Black Friday at a Flash Toaster Sale”

Arg! You know these headlines. You see them too. Make them stop!

I think these kinds of headlines and the stories that accompany them are designed to divide people and stir up contention during this time of year — as if we already don’t have enough, here is more! Don’t be the jerk in the line at Target. The kid checking you out is just doing what he’s been told to do with that half hearted “Happy Holidays”.

Let’s not participate in the Christmas Wars this year. In fact, remember when I wrote about putting the “X” back in Christmas? (That was almost 10 years ago guys! Where has the time gone?!) Just say “Thank you so much, you too!” when someone wishes you a Festivus for the Restofus.

I think the Church’s Light The World campaign is a good way to focus ourselves on service to the world, our communities, our wards, and our families. The world wide day of service is tomorrow, December 1st. There is still time to think of ways to serve and then go out and do it tomorrow.

One of the ways I’m going to stay above the fray is by listening to good music. I can’t promise a post about beautiful music every day in December, but it will be many times in the weeks leading up to Christmas. I will disclaim here some selections will be secular, some will be sacred, but they all will be lovely! I hope you’ll leave a comment and share your favorite Christmas and holiday music and why you like that song with us. I’ll highlight your comments in future posts.

This is one of my favorite Christmas song medleys by the Osmond Family. I wish they’d release this album on streaming. Right now you’re lucky if you can find it on as a vinyl record on ebay.

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