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Is it all right to wish a non-Christian a Merry Christmas?

According to Jamie Katz, it’s a lovely thing to do – because everyone with an ounce of sense knows that Scrooge was full of it when he said:

"If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. He should!"

For generations, it has been a tradition in my family to combine Christmas greetings with a family newsletter. The letter is here ( page 1, page 2). Pics of the kids:  Betta ed Anna 2010 Giovanni, Betta ed Anna 2010

 

December 22, 2010 |

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Aaron

As long as you don't ask my kids what they want Santa to bring them. That gets awkward.

Posted by: Aaron | December 22, 2010 at 11:19 AM

JohnFH

In this season and pretty much always, I am tempted to say, as a form of greeting to someone I know is Jewish, "next year in Jerusalem."

But then I am seized with the fear that that sounds pretentious, as if I were trying to be a shaigetz in the sense of prankster. It would be meant to remand to a common eschatological horizon.

Posted by: JohnFH | December 22, 2010 at 11:31 AM

PatrickM

Merry Christmas John! I look forward to another year of your blog.

Posted by: PatrickM | December 24, 2010 at 04:16 AM

JohnFH

Hi Patrick,

I even have reason to believe that I will have more time to dedicate to blogging next year. So I look forward to future conversations.

Posted by: JohnFH | December 24, 2010 at 10:00 AM

web design company

Well, this is indeed a lovely thing to do. It is alright to wish a none Christian a Merry Christmas. Though we have different or individual beliefs, but it is a matter of respect and the kind of love we give to each other. This is a great opportunity also to have a Merry Christmas with our non Christian brothers ans sisters. Thanks a lot for the post and enjoy the Holidays.

Posted by: web design company | December 26, 2010 at 08:56 PM

Lue-Yee Tsang

More time for you to blog? Good news for me.

Posted by: Lue-Yee Tsang | December 31, 2010 at 01:53 PM

Ben Byerly

Thanks for the newsletter, John. I really enjoyed all the details of how this year has shaped up for you all. You have a very beautiful family. I remember back in my college days riding my motorcycle from Packwaukee (near Portage) to Oshkosh for the airshow during my college days. I spent the summer working on a bison ranch there.

Posted by: Ben Byerly | January 02, 2011 at 11:13 AM

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  • Ancient Hebrew Poetry is a weblog of John F. Hobbins. Opinions expressed herein do not reflect those of his professional affiliations. Unless otherwise indicated, the contents of Ancient Hebrew Poetry, including all text, images, and other media, are original and licensed under a Creative Commons License.

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