More than a quarter century has passed since the U.S. celebrated Christmas while activity
engaged in a major conflict. This year, however, marks the first Christmas of the new
millennium, but also the first Christmas for a new generation of adults – parents,
children, and spouses – worrying about the safety of their loved ones. Sure, there was
Grenada, Panama, the Gulf, and even the fiasco in Somalia, but they weren’t anywhere near
the scale as the current engagement, although I am not discounting any of those political
skirmishes, either.
How is this Christmas different than the others of the past 25-plus years? Well, let’s
begin counting the ways. There are a few children, at the very least, who now are
fatherless, as the result of the combat taking place in Afghanistan. There are mothers and
fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters – Marines and sailors, soldiers and
airmen – serving on U.S. ships; stationed at various military installations; and hunkered
down in bunkers around the world. It isn’t so much them serving their nation during this
conflict, the “War on Terrorism," as it’s being called – it’s about families being
separated during a war-like period. It’s about worrying about a loved one’s safety, nay,
worrying about a loved one’s life, in fact.
For the families of our armed service members, worry is a daily constant. The reality that
the service member could be called to serve the country, to die for the country, at any
time, is the stark reality of service in the armed forces. That concern, however, is
magnified during this time of year because of the emotions people feel toward others. It
has something to do with the meaning of the season, I believe. Giving to others. Peace on
Earth. Goodwill toward men. Songs of sleigh rides, silver bells, double-checked lists, a
little fat man, and a babe in a manger – far away and long ago.
While shopping recently, some nostalgic holiday CDs were spotted. One CD featured Andy
Williams and the other was of Bing Crosby. When I opened the packages at home, ready to
play the CDs, I was shocked to find The Commodores’ Greatest Hits packaged in the Bing
Crosby case. Oh well, the group wasn’t too bad back in the ’70s, but it isn’t exactly
holiday music. In retrospect, it kind of sums up this holiday season: it’s warm, sunny,
and not quite Christmas-like with all the threats of potential terrorist attacks in the
news. I guess this could be called “Generation 9/11’s New Christmas Normalcy." I hope not,
but for this year, my friends, it seems it is so.
I was checking out Usenet this week and found over on the alt.religion.islam newsgroup,
that “samataullah" seems to have started a little debate about his elaborate plans for
Christmas. Samataullah started the thread, “Happy Eid to all Muslims," saying, “Eid has
just finished for me, it is night time now 9:40 PM, now I will celebrate Christmas by
waiting outside wealthy people's houses and waiting for them to go on their errands and I
will rob their houses! Merry, merry Christmas!" Someone using the nickname “shotgun"
replied, saying, “Hope you're shot in the process."
Changing the tune, drastically, I found Tispe and NOtme over on the rec.food.cooking
newsgroup discussing the various considerations involved in cooking a turkey at home and
transporting it elsewhere for a family gathering on Christmas day.
While the stockings are hung o’er the fireplace and children sleep snug in their beds,
awaiting Saint Nick’s arrival, let me bid you all a Merry Christmas, a happy and
prosperous New Year. Peace, joy, love, happiness to all. And to all, a good night ’til
next year.
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"It’s Christmastime in the U.S., Again!"
