Bubba's Beach
The holidays

Hey, it's the Holiday Season!

Welcome to the annual controversary of Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays, or Christmas Parade vs. Winter Festival Parade, and whatever you call that African American Holiday that some guy in California made up a few years ago.

It should be fun, but don't get so upset this year. Remember where all these things we have been using for years ourselves came from. Do you think folks were outraged when they changed Christ's Mass, to Christmas? How many folks do you think got mad when the Holy Days got combined into Holidays? A lot I bet, but we didn't know about it and accepted what we were taught.

We called things the same things our parents did. We know what the "reason for the season" is and if someone is offended by that, just remind them that Christians founded this nation and we are still over 80 percent Christian. Then smile and let them say whatever they want. This will frost them plenty!

I don't get so upset about it anymore. I know who I am. If others want to be ignorant, that is fine with me. I have learned that you can't fix stupid. If others want to be offended when I say "Merry Christmas" to them, they have a problem, not me. I smile and walk away. If someone says "Happy Allah" to me, I figure they are just trying to be Christian, and that is good.

Some folks don't have anything to do at Christmas. My Jewish friends never seem to be offended when I say "Merry Christmas" to them, they understand as I do, the Judeo-Christian ethic we all know has been here since the first white people came to this country. I can never remember anyone of the Jewish faith, being offended by Christmas, the holiday, the greetings or anything to do with Christmas, and they believe as far from what I believe as any religion on earth. They know who they are as well. Why can't all other ethnic groups follow that example and never be offended again?

Don't let anything take you away from your personal joy of the Christmas Season this year. Don't let anyone control your thinking and don't let anyone make you feel like you did something wrong if you make a mistake and give them your Christmas greeting. I have learned in my old age that life is too short to even try to explain it and now days I don't waste even one second of my time on it. Again, I know who I am. I know where I live and I have faith in what I believe.

I won't have as much fun as I used to when I argued the facts, but then I don't slap folks upside the head when I know they are stupid any longer either.

Just thought you'd like to know….

Shopping and Santa season this weekend

Season your holidays with Island Spirit! Shop islandwide beginning Saturday at 9 a.m. Also, the Passport to Santa's Island kicks off with a children's coloring Contest.

On Sunday, take a photo with Santa at the Hilton Gulfside from 2-4 p.m. Details: 932-1500.