A Merry Jewish Christmas
by Kevin McCullough

In the "War on Christmas" this year one clear truth has emerged. The debate over religious symbols does not stem from one clear group - observant Jews. In all the debates about how a "Merry Christmas" does not seem to include non-Christians, it is clear that those leveling that charge are not those who celebrate Chanukah. This fact is being largely ignored by the same press which is idolizing the secularists who are making all the noise.

Some evidence?

A new CNN/Gallup poll out this last Thursday found that 88% of Americans do not have any problem at all with wishing someone or being greeted with "Merry Christmas".

But looking beyond the poll let me offer some specific examples.

Michael Medved a daily radio host heard in Chicago on the new AM 560 WIND and a traditional observer of Orthodox Judaism, said this on Wednesday.

"The Christmas season serves as the ultimate rebuttal to the politically correct nonsense that says we lack a single American culture, and instead host many diverse national cultures occupying the same space. Christmas, however, connects people of every color and ethnicity, and binds this generation to the past through family and communal traditions... Even for an outsider like me, this is infinitely preferable to the confused, flavorless, mixed messages that the multi-culturalists want to foist on an unwilling populace. Better to celebrate the glue that keeps the country together and to express gratitude for the generous Christian heritage that’s made America the best place on earth for Jews - and everyone else."

But Medved is not the only Jewish voice speaking out on the issue.

Dennis Prager who precedes Medved on AM 560 and is also an observant Jew, has been writing about the Christmas battles this season at length. He also dedicates several hours of broadcast time each year to the message of Christmas and the benefit America has received by remembering it. Larry King has even invited Prager to come on to his Christmas Eve show tonight to discuss the issue of Christmas.

Even the ever controversial Rabbi Shmuley Boteach concluded his segment with Tony Snow on the O'Reilly Factor with homage to Christmas. Wednesday night he not only defended America's right to have and celebrate Christmas - but he personally wished Snow a "Merry Christmas" as well.

But none of these hit me personally and profound as the legendary Talk Radio Host - Barry Farber.

If you are not familiar with him let's just say that Farber is something of an icon in Talk Radio. Farber was the inspiration for men named Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. Farber's name has been associated with the biggest call letters going back decades - WOR, WABC, WMCA.

Because of my own desire to observe Christmas this year in a more meaningful, less hurried way, I invited Barry to fill in for me while I took several days off - spent them with family and recharged my batteries for another year.

Farber has filled in for me on numerous occasions - and has made personal comments about how much he enjoys dabbling again in the waters of daily talk radio. When invited for this short stint he graciously again accepted.

The next day I received an interesting card in the mail from Barry. A festive Christmas scene decorated the outside and inside a short hand-written note.

Dear Kevin,

a Christmas card I figure is the least I can do. You've been giving me Chanukah presents all year long. (Fill in opportunities) And I truly appreciate it.

Merry Christmas,
Barry

Barry is another observant Jew - one of those "disenfranchised" souls that saying "Merry Christmas" (so we are told) is destroying beyond all recognition. Yet, completely unsolicited, he extends the wishes of a "Merry Christmas" to one who truly appreciates it.

The problem with the "anti-Christmas" thugs is that while they claim to represent an "inclusive picture" of what America needs to be - they are in fact creating a "Godless America" that Americans themselves do not want.

Inclusion by definition would bring Americans who are different - together. The "anti-Christmas" and "anti-God" crowd is aiming at dividing and excluding all who they disagree with.

I am honored to be wished a "Merry Christmas" by folks like Medved, Prager, Boteach, and Farber. I am eager to offer them a joyous Chanukah. And for the love of the God who made us all I choose to hope that the best in America will overcome the ugliness of its "anti-Christmas", "anti-God", "anti-American" worst.

Kevin McCullough is heard daily in New York City, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware on AM 570 WMCA and AM 970 WWDJ from 1-4pm. Adding stations in Chicago, Boston, and 16 more markets soon. Read KMC daily on his web-log at http://kmc.crosswalk.com.

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