Are you a Who or a Grinch?  In 1957 Dr Seuss Geisel wrote the children’s book How the Grinch Stole Christmas and the story line is more relevant today than ever before.  As a child, I can remember vividly the absolute joy of Christmas.  Not only were the stockings hung, the tree resplendent with all its ornaments both store bought and homemade, wreaths and holly on all the doors, the sweet aroma of fresh baked cookies and gingerbread in most houses but a feeling of joy and expectation filled the air.  The manger in the town square was the focal point of the season and we all waited with great anticipation for the morning when the Christ child would appear in the manger.  People were scurrying to purchase their gifts but they always found time to wish you a Merry Christmas.  Santa stood on street corners ringing his bells with a kettle of chestnuts roasting nearby.  Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas!

In recent years I have noticed those memories, although wonderful ones are just that...memories, and definitely a thing of the past.  According to many those were the years of politically incorrect Christmas’.  Yes, people now are hesitant to wish a stranger a Merry Christmas.  They fumble over the verbiage in this holiest of seasons.  Do they say “Happy Holidays”, “Seasons Greetings” or just nod and say “Have a happy”?  Even poor Santa has suffered in our new millennium and is now considered a poor role model with his pot belly.  Did our Surgeon General forget that Santa’s belly is filled with cookies and milk from good boys and girls?  I think many of these people are missing the point that Santa is not a role model due to his girth but it’s his spirit of generosity, caring, kindness and the hope for peace on earth.  Unfortunately, I think many adults have become so jaded that they have forgotten the true spirit of the season and the real meaning of Christmas.  Unfortunately, I think the Grinch is alive and living in the hearts of all too many men and women espousing their values, or lack of values, in a new society.  

Today, there are even those who are trying to restrict Santa’s “Ho, Ho, Ho!” since they find it offensive to women.  Perhaps, it’s not Santa they find offensive but the whole spirit of Christmas.  Sadly, in many areas of our country, our precious Christmas carols are only sung in churches and at home.  In most cosmopolitan cities the decorations are so innocuous and secular that the phrase “Winter Festival” has replaced “Christmas Season”.  Should Christmas only be celebrated in a cloistered way at church and at home?  Will the day come during this joyful season when you turn on your radio only to hear the song "Winter Wonderland" as the only seasonal song constantly filling the airwaves in a politically correct manner?

Guess what?  Not in my town.  The Crabby Old Guy and I recently moved to Nashville, Tennessee and much to our delight found the true Christmas spirit alive and well in many places.  The only Grinch in our town resides at Gaylord Opryland Hotel’s Ice Extravaganza, and he is surrounded by about two-million pounds of beautiful ice sculptures. 

Let me tell you about a few of our Christmas experiences to date.  First it started with a concert put on by Belmont University. Just imagine hundreds of young talented voices singing Christmas carols past and present.  It is said that the highest form of prayer is found in song.  Well the Belmont chorus, musicians and the Nashville’s Children’s choir certainly praised God in every music venue possible; from traditional, rock, country to blues.  Was it inspirational?  Yes, but more importantly the looks on the faces of these young people and their audience was one of joy and excitement.  As we all stood up for the last carol and joined in singing with the choir I could feel a peace and joy in my heart that has been missing for some time.  All I can think is that for a country that proudly extols its freedoms, somehow the freedom of speech and religion are lost in the shuffle when it comes to politically incorrect subjects.  If we have freedom of speech which our forefathers fought and died for then why can’t our children sing Christmas carols in our public schools? Believe me when I say that I have no objection to anyone practicing their religion no matter what it is but did you notice in America the country literally closes down on Dec.25.  It’s a national holiday…IT’S CHRISTMAS!  The first part of the word CHRISTMAS is CHRIST and we celebrate His birthday.

Next we went shopping.  With a family that has now expanded from seven to eleven, and two new arrivals expected in June, The Crabby Old Guy and I were off and running; okay, maybe briskly walking through all the malls in the area.  Surprise, surprise, the clerks in the stores all wished us a Merry Christmas.  Christmas carols could be heard all around us and the decorations are those of the Christmas season. 

We happily experienced “Luminary Night” in the neighborhoods in our area.  For those of you who have never heard of this it is a night when people place a lighted candle outside their homes and everyone drives around to see the beautiful decorations on all the houses.  Interestingly enough in Nashville many of the trees in the homes are decorated with white lights and not the multi-colored variety.  The local radio station can be heard playing "It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas", "White Christmas", "Silent Night" and many more CHRISTMAS songs.  There’s definitely no ban on Christmas in our town. 

Not only is the spirit of Christmas in the air but the town also has some amazing shows to see and they are all Christmas themed.  Crabby and I were fortunate enough to see the Pam Tillis Christmas Party, the General Jackson river boat cruise and dinner show “Christmas on the Cumberland”, The New York Rockette’s Christmas Show and a few others.  Yes we definitely have smiles on our faces. 

So for those of you who are looking for an old fashioned Christmas where the people of all races and religions join together to celebrate the happiest of holidays come to Nashville.  If for one reason or another you can't make the trip maybe it's time for the"silent majority" to speak out to those politicians and liberals who have decided to remove Christ from Christmas.  Let us not forget that a son of a carpenter, born centuries ago, still to this day influences nations and is regarded by Christians all over the world as the King of kings and Son of God.  My wish is that the Christmas lights shine brightly in all the villages, towns and cities in America and especially in the hearts and minds of it's citizens.  Peace, Joy and Hope have no religious boundaries, so let us all celebrate a season that wishes peace and good will to all of mankind.

Hugs,

The Savvy Old Lady©