Merry Christmas! Yes, Christmas. The celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. My family and I went for our annual trip through the lights at Jones Beach. The display was lovely, however, the official Program distributed has me outraged. The Program contained a discussion of Hanukah, Kwanzaa, New Year's, Winter Solstice (I am not kidding) and other holidays. Christmas has been relegated to "Other Holidays"! A letter to the Manhasset Press a week or so ago expressed similar outrage after a trip to Barnes & Noble. In the children's book section, there were displays for books on Hanukah, Kwanzaa and "Holidays." No Christmas. "Christmas" is not a dirty word. For all the retailers who are ashamed to proclaim "Christmas," I have some news for them. It is not Hanukah presents or Kwanzaa sales that they are counting on for their financial well-being. It is Christmas shopping, Christmas trees, Christmas cards, Christmas ornaments, Christmas wrapping paper and Christmas presents that make or break their fiscal year. Perhaps this is the problem--if we have forgotten the "reason for the season," how can we expect others to do so?

I respect the rights of all to believe, or not, as they chose to. I will remember what this celebration is about. I am thankful for many things--family, friends, freedom and those willing to die for it. I believe! For all those out there, whether they believe or not, I will ask God's blessing for them, this Christmas and always.

Connie Wysota