Does Branson spend millions of dollars marketing Ozark Mountain Hanukah, Ozark Mountain Kwanzaa, Ozark Mountain Holidays, or some other form of a neutered politically correct version of Christmas? If it does it’s one of the best kept secrets around. On the other hand, what would the answer be if the question had been, “Does Branson spend millions of dollars marketing Ozark Mountain Christmas? OK so it’s a rhetorical question.
Branson spends millions of dollars marketing the Ozark Mountain Christmas experience and inviting visitors to come and celebrate Christmas in the Ozarks. Yet, as visitors drive up and down our streets are they more than likely to see “Merry Christmas,” the words “Happy Holidays” or some other form of a neutered politically correct version of Christmas prominently displayed on the outside and inside of our businesses, public buildings, and infrastructure? As Branson’s visitors interact with the personnel working in Branson’s entertainment, retail, lodging, food service, and government are they more likely to be wished “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” or nothing?
As they drive by the city of Branson’s city hall will they see the welcoming words “Merry Christmas” in huge letters across the face of the building or anywhere on the building or grounds? Will they see the word “Christmas” displayed in any public area inside the building? Does the city of Branson use its huge water towers to proclaim the words “Merry Christmas” to those coming to Ozark Mountain Christmas?
To some the term Christmas is a special season where the celebration of the birth of Christ is given special emphasis. To others it is but a commercial type of thing where the birth of Christ is only important in terms of being used to generate revenue. To still others it means something in between, and to some, it actually means nothing. What’s important to an Ole Seagull personally, and, he hopes to the community, is that the reason for the season, “Christmas,” is celebrated and preserved as its own holiday and not lost in a myriad of other holidays or hidden in a closet filled with “commercialism” and “political correctness.”
It is not a matter of the separation of church and state. In fact, Section 6103 of Title 5 of the United States Code establishes the official name of the federal holiday celebrated on Dec.25 as “Christmas Day.” Whether or not the name of that holiday, “Christmas,” has a religious significance is a personal matter depending on what is in the hearts of those saying and hearing it.
The name of the celebration Branson markets to the world is Ozark Mountain Christmas. With every other festival or celebration, residents, businesses, and employees are encouraged to get with the spirit of the occasion being promoted. What better way to express the reality and spirit of Ozark Mountain Christmas to those who come than by saying “Merry Christmas” and providing them with a total Christmas experience that is unrivaled anywhere else in the country.
What about those that don’t celebrate Christmas? What about them? Is it inappropriate to suggest that an area celebrating Ozark Mountain Christmas should be focused on the vast majority of people who celebrate Christmas? In terms of the reality of today’s environment, with its increasing attacks on the tradition of Christmas in America, which is less likely to offend them, someone wishing them “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays?” Being surrounded by things specifically proclaiming Christmas or other things that tend to neuter Christmas in political correctness?
Would it be inappropriate to ask the city governments of the city of Branson and Hollister, the village of Indian Point, and the Taney County Commission to establish a policy of trying to keep Christmas in Christmas? As a starting point, such a policy could encourage the use of the term Merry Christmas in lieu of Happy Holidays or other things that tend to neuter Christmas in the name of political correctness, in connection with their involvement with Ozark Mountain Christmas or other situations where it is their intent to specifically express Christmas wishes or greetings to those celebrating the holiday of Christmas.
It appears that such a policy would be consistent with not only the legal name of the holiday of Christmas but the name of the celebration that we promise the world, “Ozark Mountain Christmas.” Can any reasonable person take offense if a community simply stands up and says, “We celebrate the holiday of Christmas, its promise and spirit and would love to have you come and share them with us?” If we will not publicly, proudly and boldly celebrate Christmas in Branson during the celebration of Ozark Mountain Christmas, then, where and when?
