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Oh Christmas Tree--Oh (excuse me)---holiday tree...

City of Evanston's Christmas Tree

A few years ago I discovered the Fountain Square Christmas Tree had been renamed to "holiday tree"---I wrote a semi satirical piece to a different Evnaston web site than Patch stating political correctness has risen to all time lows of absurdity when certain ne'er-do-well's believe it necessary to refer to Christmas Tree's as holiday tree's...In return I was treated to a personal email from site moderator to a lengthy 3 paragraph lecture about how misguided my opinion was and rambling mess of an explanation as to the origin of Christmas Tree's---something about pagans, devils, and vampires---I really don't remember nor care to.

Last year I repeated my opinion on the holiday tree issue here on Patch and this time received a reply basically stating I was nothing more than a right wing stooge brain washed by watching fox news---I had to conduct some on line research to figure out how I'd been duped into liking Christmas Tree's from a news channel I don't even watch---it was then I discovered I'd blindly walked into "The War on Christmas"!!!---I had no idea all Christmas Tree diplomacy had failed...The mind recoiled in horror---had the National Guard been called up?---were troops massing around the North Pole guarding Santa from terrorist attacks?---how could I miss such earth startling news?

Truth be told, I pity those who succumb to such ignorance thinking they speak for the masses toward religious tolerance and Christmas Tree’s---who decided our city’s Christmas Tree should be referred to as a holiday tree?---I guess I didn’t get the memo...And this year I won’t even bother to make a fuss over the hypocrisy of the city’s Menorah being called as it should nor the Kwanza candle also being correctly identified as such---I got a lecture on this point as well last time I brought it up…Anyway, if our Christmas Tree will continue to be referred to as “holiday tree”---I’d really appreciate it if the city defined what holiday were celebrating?

A Christmas Tree need not be identified with religion if we choose to not let it---There is no evidence that having less Christmas will provide more of anything else

Jennifer Fisher (Editor) November 28, 2012 at 05:48 pm
John, thanks for your thoughtful post. When you say the tree has been renamed, who are you saying is responsible for renaming it? (I.e., the city, the chamber of commerce that organizes the tree lighting, Evanston residents, etc.)
millie November 28, 2012 at 06:05 pm
It's a Christmas Tree and will always be a Christmas Tree as far as I'm concerned.
Since you want it to be a Holiday Tree why not put up on the 4th of July that's a holiday
millie November 28, 2012 at 06:14 pm
Did the City Council Pass an Ordinance making it a Holiday Tree?
lucas November 28, 2012 at 07:33 pm
City needs to rename the Menorah Holiday Candles
John C Thomson November 28, 2012 at 08:13 pm
Merry Christmas, Christmas Tree, let them stew and steam O' Christmas Tree, you'll always be a Christmas Tree, There is no such holiday, called "holiday". There is a holiday called Christmas and Christmas Tree you will be. Would you really pay attention to a politicians decree? Look what happened to Egypt when they elected this guy named Morsi, he issued a decree and they don't even believe. O Tannenbaum, O Tannebaum... It's the politicians that has us in this financial mess... You really can't expect to much.
millie November 28, 2012 at 10:17 pm
John
Evanston has changed that to : O Holiday O holiday
millie November 28, 2012 at 10:18 pm
The City Council is working on rewriting many songs
John Brinkmann November 28, 2012 at 11:36 pm
I don't know how or who's responsible for the change to "holiday" Jennifer---I'm guessing the city council as most likely culprits---but 2 years ago someone told me they believed the chamber of commerce claimed downtown retailers didn't want the tree referred to as a Christmas Tree anymore---I'm not buying that one for a second and a semi intensive sampling of downtown stores I personally inquired to confirmed such claim as rubbish...I also don't know what year the name change took place but I can assure you there was a time when our city's Christmas Tree was actually called a Christmas Tree---we even had a beautiful crèche displayed right next to it---plus a giant mailbox for kids to send Santa their wish list letters....I can see how the crèche had to go but the reference to holiday tree must also go---perhaps it's time to petition---who's with me?--:D
Jennifer Fisher (Editor) November 29, 2012 at 12:03 am
John, thanks for elaborating. I got curious so I took a look at the marketing from Downtown Evanston and the event two weeks ago is described as a "Holiday Bash and Tree Lighting," but at least in that piece I don't see anything specifically about a "holiday tree."
John Brinkmann November 29, 2012 at 01:06 am
Holiday Tree Lighting---Fountain Square, Davis St. and Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL at 5:30 PM....The annual Holiday Tree Lighting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, November 16 at Fountain Square
. You won't find anything but holiday tree in reference to Evanston's Christmas Tree Jennifer---as shown above from City of Evnaston's web site
Procrustes' Foil November 29, 2012 at 09:42 am
Municipalities across the country have been sued for displaying "Christmas" decorations, so they now use the innocuous term "holiday" to spare themselves the cost of litigation. But kids of all ages know what these decorations are - Christmas trees and decorations! So, enjoy the magic of the "season."
John Brinkmann November 29, 2012 at 07:00 pm
not accurate---this issue's been resolved---"1989 decision by the United States Supreme Court upholding the dual display of the menorah and Christmas trees in public places as expression that is protected under the First Amendment"----the only way the city could face any legal issues would be if crosses or nativity scenes are displayed...And Chicago doesn't seem to be too nervous over any possible litigation--->November 20, 2012 (CHICAGO) -- Nearly 15,000 lights are glowing on Chicago's official 2012 Christmas Tree at Daley Plaza after they were turned on for the first time Tuesday afternoon."---and presided over no less by a person of Jewish faith------"With Santa Claus taking the stage in front of the tree, Mayor Emanuel boomed: Thank you very much! Let’s light our Christmas tree!”------you go Rahm!
Lisa S. December 6, 2012 at 10:06 pm
I see nothing wrong with calling it a "holiday tree" or perhaps "winter holiday tree." Why does not calling it a Christmas tree bother you? It doesn't take your feelings about the tree away, does it? The City has no business glorifying any one religion.
John Brinkmann December 6, 2012 at 11:30 pm
to say "glorifying"s a bit extreme Lisa...anyway, your not looking at the full picture---why refer to a Christmas Tree as anything other than what it is?---why make up a name that doesn't even exist?...Does the City refer to it's Menorah and Kwanza candles as Holiday Candles?...The bottom line Lisa is my sincere belief our nation has already experienced enough of a PC makeover to last a few centuries---and I don't support any notion that a "war on Christmas" exists in our country---I just happen to believe the beauty of a Christmas Tree can be enjoyed by all without the silly reference of "holiday tree"-----Merry Christmas to all---and may your God go with you---(Dave Allen)

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