I got my Christmas wish this year.
All I wanted for Christmas was Christmas - and I got it; snow on the picture-postcard pine trees out my window, children sledding amidst snowmen, stores madly decorated with cyprus, holly, tinsel and toys, relatives dropping over with their versions of Christmas cake, breuder, ginger wine and Christmas presents, Christmas cards popped into my mailbox . . . but most of all another phenomenon altogether that made me realize that 'tolerance' had finally become a two-way street - people unabashedly wishing me a 'Merry Christmas!'
What makes it even more unusual was something I experienced this morning that truly brought that phenomenon home.
I happened to be shopping at a large grocery store that has been firmly planted at a busy intersection in a suburb in Scarborough, Ontario, for several decades.
The produce at this store changed subtly through the years to reflect the community that has been gathering in this area through the last few years, and with the building of a large (and popular) mosque at the same intersection recently, as well as with the influx of new buildings built around the area to accommodate the streams of immigrants (from what are taken internationally to be 'non-Christian' countries) the store (obviously market-wise) has predominantly produce from these countries, as well as 'halal' meats from local butchers.
Many of the former businesses had moved away - real estate offices, pool halls, and the local pubs found that they were losing business for instance, since this new community wasn't interested in such commodities. I might say that it had begun to look a little like Manassas Park City in VA.
And yet - the store was full of shoppers.
Statistically, Canada has almost 70% of the population calling themselves Christians (lower than the U.S.A. for instance with almost 90%) but while it does have this majority following Christian precepts, this particular area doesn't reflect this at all being somewhat top-heavy with citizens in beards and white robes, wives fully clothed in black with a string of children trailing along behind them. So imagine my surprise (first at the crowds thronging the store filling up their baskets with the magically appearing 'Christmas' goodies, but mostly: ) at hearing 'Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!' from every cashier at the line-ups.
For a second I shuddered (at the daring political incorrectness of it, having been suitable brainwashed this way by the media) but then I realized no one was minding this at all. Surreptitious glances from me at various individuals only captured smiling faces. A little-girl voice squealed: "Amma! It's Santa!" and I turned around to see a little girl pointing at me, eyes-wide, tugging at her mother's arm.
I must have gone as red as the Christmas hat I was wearing - being the only one in the store wearing one.
It was my turn at the cash out - and the cashier was wishing me 'Merry Christmas!' effusively.
"Merry Christmas to you, too!" I returned her greeting.
As she was ringing me up I asked, "Are you getting a holiday?"
"Oh! yes, " she said happily, "We'll be closed on Christmas Day."
"Wonderful!" I said, "Have a happy holiday! And a very, very Merry Christmas!'
Snowflakes filled the air as I tramped out to my car, but it wasn't just snowflakes anymore that made me feel Christmassy.
Have a super, fun-filled holiday, my dear fellow members that indulge even in the most insignificant ritual this Christmas Day that celebrates the birth of the One that put 'Forgiveness' above all else. Oh! and . . .
'Merry Christmas!'
