Friday, December 25, 2009

Good Will Toward You

In America it's politically correct to say "Happy Holidays" from late November through December because people of so many cultures and religious backgrounds live here. I'm not a Christian myself but I don't mind hearing "Merry Christmas," nor do I worry much about getting the greeting right as long as people are of good cheer. Greeting each other kindly and wishing each other goodness is what's important.

This is the day we mark on our calendars to commemorate the birth of someone who has had a monumental influence on our culture, regardless of whether or not you believe he existed. If we did as he asked us to do, this Earth would be a peaceful place indeed. I think he'd want us to greet each other kindly and wish each other goodness.

Goodwill starts in our hearts. From there, it can go everywhere. So Merry Christmas, whatever you celebrate.

30 comments:

Cafe Pasadena said...

I think I'm gonna say, happy holyday(s) throughout the year. Although, last I heard, about 83% of Americans claim to be christian of one degree or another.

So Merry Christmas, whatever you are. Otherwise, I pray you had a Happy Festivus, PDP!

Dina said...

Good point.
"That's very Christian of you" to say this. (Sorry, I always chuckle at this expression, esp. when said to me.) :D

Goodwill to you, too (AND men).

Shell Sherree said...

Merry Christmas sounds good to me, Petrea ~ I like to believe that with love in our hearts, it doesn't really matter what the labels are. Love and laughter to you, J and Boz, and to all.

Cafe Pasadena said...

I also wanna wish a Happy Birthday to my fav French Disney artist - Stephane K!!

Joy to The World - Stef has come!

Bellis said...

Merry Christmas greetings to you, Petrea, and John and Boz from Merrie England.

Janet Kincaid said...

Merry Christmas, Petrea! And AMEN to all you said.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

Although I recognize those bird finials, I wasn't aware of the surveillance camera. God is in the details?

Happy and very well lit December day to you J and B

Virginia said...

Joyeux Noël and Christmas Blessings to you and John and of course Boz!
xx
V

FA said...

Merry Christmas, Petrea. I appreciate this post more than you could know. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas. (I would have bet money that Boz would claim the cover picture today. Saved that dollar.)

Brenda's Arizona said...

Goodwill to you, and good writing, too!

Anonymous said...

MELE KALIKIMAKA = Merry Christmas! (Hawaiian)

Peace and Love to you and your family!

Lori Lynn said...

I love the colorful photo, it is so Southern California! I just returned from the east coast, and one huge snow storm!

Merry Christmas to you and John, let's make it a goal to get together in the happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!
LL

from cali said...

Merry Christmas Petrea, John & Boz.

Keith said...

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Goodwill to you too Petrea.

Petrea Burchard said...

Cafe, I googled Festivus and liked what I found on Wikipedia. I'm keeping it.
Is today Stef's birthday? People with Christmas birthdays never get any attention. Please confirm, and we'll all go wish him a happy birthday on his blog.

Dina, if the speaker means a true Christian, I'd take it as a compliment. I'm not sure it's always meant that way.

I agree, Shell. The labels can be misleading so we're better off just being nice to everybody!

Bellis! I hope you're having a jolly old time. Thank you for checking in, what a delight.

Hi Janet, Merry Christmas and thanks for honoring PDP with your visit.

Merci, PA. A few people will recognize this little spot. At Christmas this family's gate always looks like it's out on a farm somewhere. To me it's very welcoming.

Nice new pic, Virginia! And you went and got an e with those little dots. Joyeux Noël to you, too (I cut and pasted yours, so now I have one).

FA, I have an inkling. I read your posts more than I comment. You are no mindless follower, but a thinking man. I appreciate your comment, too.

Hiker, after yesterday's threat of a Hahamongna photo today (and this one's dangerously close) I thought a Boz photo would be even more of a cop-out. Plus, he won't sit still with the Santa hat on.

Thanks, Brenda, I appreciate it!

gigihawaii, a student teacher in grade school taught me this: Mele Kalikimaka, Houoli Makahiki Hou. I'm probably spelling it wrong now. But Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Lori I'll email you. We need to make a plan.

Cali, Merry Christmas.

You too, Keith. Did you know that if you google "City Photo Blog" yours comes up second? Not bad!

Vanda said...

I think Christmas sort of managed to transcend religion for most part by now. Even the Communist government I grew up under never tried to stop Christmas.

Friends of mine who are Buddhist have a tree and have the whole family (plus me) over every year.

Happy Holidays!

Cafe Pasadena said...

Yes, I can confirm that Disney's Stef the K was born on Dec 25th!! Unlike Jesus Christ who many Christians choose this date to simply to recognize His birth. Others have Christmas in January.

Petrea Burchard said...

If you want to wish Stef a happy birthday you can do so at:
http://stefsketches.blogspot.com/

Thanks, Cafe.

Petrea Burchard said...

Vanda, that's a good way of putting it. I hope you had a wonderful day with your Buddhist friends.

Laurie Allee said...

Beautiful, my friend. Good will to you!

Louis la Vache said...

Et Joyeux Noël à vous!

ben wideman said...

What a wonderful post.

Hope you had a great one, Petrea!

Chuck Pefley said...

Petrea, I appreciate your message very much. Peace and goodwill to you, too!

TheChieftess said...

May the essence of Christmas be with you always!!!

Dina said...

Re your comment on my comment: my intonation of it to you was purely complimentary.
And I like what you say about FA.

Happy second day of Christmas.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thank you all very much. (Thanks, Dina. I took it as such, coming from you.)

Natalie said...

Well said. I always figured I should just use the greeting of the holiday I celebrate. "Merry Christmas" is what I like to say. But if someone else celebrates Hanuka, then I'd expect them to wish me a Happy Hanukah. Like you said, the point is spreading holiday cheer.

Italo said...

This photo is amazing. I'd like to see there Zorro go out.
About happy holiday, well, in the catholic Italy each person you see on the street has a christian name from a saint, and each day you have to say: "Happy Saint Stefano, dear Stefano, happy Santa Giovanni, dear Giovanni, happy Saint Italo dear ItalO" I prefere to say just: ciao bello.

Petrea Burchard said...

It can be confusing, right Natalie? Everyone's trying to figure out what your holiday is without racial profiling...

Ciao bello, Italo. Are all Italians named in hopes they'll grow up to be as good as saints?