File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Is it already time to worry about Christmas Correctness?

Sep 18, 2023 | 4:41 AM

IT’S STILL ONLY SEPTEMBER but not too early, apparently, to start fussing about Christmas Correctness.

On the weekend, an announcement went out reminding us all that it will soon be time for the annual Santa Claus parade downtown. Nowhere did it mention Christmas.

The theme is A World of Celebration in keeping with sponsorship by TRU World, which is celebrating its 40^th anniversary. It’s not about Christmas, it’s about the “holidays,” a word that’s come to be a euphemism for Christmas.

There are concerns among parade organizers that the parade has “Christian overtones” and that it must be inclusive.

Two and Out

PETERS: Whether building up or tearing down, Kamloops is what you make it

2h ago

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: How to reduce food waste in Kamloops during the festive season

9h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 12, 2024

Dec 12, 2024

So it is that parade entrants are encouraged to think about “What reminds you of the holidays?” and “Do you celebrate any other holidays throughout the season?”

This is all good stuff. Diversity makes our community better. But it’s OK to use the Christmas word. No need to worry. Christmas isn’t just a Christian celebration anymore. It’s already inclusive.

You don’t have to be a Christian to enjoy Christmas or to celebrate it. Or to enjoy the parade. I love that parade. I’ve ridden in it or judged in it many times. I’m not a Christian.

It’s still called the Santa Parade, and Santa is part of Christmas. There are occasional debates about whether Santa is Christian or pagan but, whichever he is, he’s part of Christmas. He loads up his sleigh and mushes his eight tiny reindeer south from the North Pole on only one night per year, and that’s Christmas eve.

For the rest of the year, he’s too busy to make appearances at other religious occasions, store openings or promotions. Maybe he shows up in a sappy Christmas movie rerun during the summer but that’s about it.

So come, everyone, to the annual Santa Clause parade, because it’s Christmas. It’ll be a great time for all, whatever your religion.

And thus ends my annual Christmas Correctness rant.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

—

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.