A Christmas appreciation *UPDATED*

‘Tis the season for the usual politically correct attacks on Christmas.  Ecumenical signs, disingenuously trimmed with Christmas holly and ornaments, urge a generic “Happy Holidays.”  Bank inspectors, perhaps seeking an easier task than examining a bank’s books, remove crosses.  Every December, Scrooge takes his steroids and is out in full force.

You’d think, of course, that I, a non-practicing Jew with a fairly loose sense of God, would be delighted by these rigorous efforts to protect innocent Americans from rampant Christmas celebrations.  But alas for the do-gooders on the Left, I’m not.

I adore Christmas.  Americans, unlike so many other religious practitioners, are extraordinarily generous with their religion.  They don’t forcibly drag nonbelievers to bow before their altars.  Instead, they graciously share the bounty of their own celebration.

I can listen to the music (and I do looove Christmas music), delight my eye with the lights, and generally bathe in the good cheer that permeates this season.  And all at no cost to me!  If I feel so inclined, Christians will welcome me into the fold, but they will not coerce or threaten me into their faith.  Instead, they’ll just make my December a wonderful time of year.

Atheists, instead of being obstreperous, should just relax and enjoy the fact that, as the days grow dark and cold, our fellow Americans welcome us to their holiday of lights.  On behalf of those ingrates, therefore, I say “thank you — and Merry Christmas!”

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQWXfHzOKUU[/youtube]

Cross-posted at Right Wing News

UPDATE:  Nina Totenberg’s bizarre apology for attending a “Christmas” party is the perfect example of Scrooge on steroids.