Christmas displays in/on Government Buildings

Something that I think often (if not usually) gets overlooked when I hear about controversies regarding Christmas decorations/displays that are placed in/on government buildings is the fact that, per the United States government, Christmas IS recognized as one of the ten federal holidays. To be clear, December 25th is, per the United States government, Christmas. It isn't, "Winter Season Day" or "Holiday Season Day."

I can see how many may not like Christmas being an "official" holiday. I can also see how people may want to have it either stricken from the books or have holy days of other religions added to the list of official holidays. However, at the moment, Christmas is a United States holiday and therefore I don't believe people have much of an argument against placing Christmas themed decorations on or in government buildings. (Of course, I would hope that any local municipality would be thoughtful and inclusive).

Various Sources:
National Archives
Office of Personnel Management
United States Postal Service

America may not be a Christian nation but it is populated with a majority or Christians.
People just need to relax and let folks live.
You can't catch Christianity by seeing a cross.

Well they can just rename it to "consumer day"

and everybody can run around saying "Merry Consumer Day!"

everybody likes to buy stuff, maybe that is the best PC term for Christmas. Some day I will be explaining to my grand children about this thing people used to call Christmas, then some evil bad guys known as the politically correct crowd decided Christmas was evil, and they should eliminate it.

Personally, I don't really care.. I just find it hilarious that people get so emotionally upset so easily these days.

I thought the whole 'Christmas' Change to 'Xmas'...was supposed to make everything 'Hunky Dory'.

a reply to: eluryh22

I don't do Christmas but I love the lights.

I think it's great-it's one of those family things that everyone can enjoy. Why not pimp out the pentagon with lights?

Driving around town and looking at peoples lights is one of the most fun parts of Christmas and I don't see how some folk can see it as offensive-nobody (in their right mind) complains about the mecca wheel or other such celebrations so where is the issue?

If a Jewish family hangs some lights to celebrate Hanukkah, who is it hurting? it's just another sets of lights the kids can enjoy as you drive past. Drape the world with lights and then we'll see the Helen Lovejoys come crawling out of their caves.

a reply to: eluryh22

As a run of the mill non-god-believing harmless atheist I am still happy for my local council taxes paying for the street decorations and light displays, even with the 'Merry Christmas' signs, they look lovely, and cheer up an otherwise miserable Winter high street.

I do live in a 97% White/Christian/No-faith region of the UK though, but I'd be equally happy to see a Diwali festival of lights here if there was a call for it. If something cheers the place up and the message is one of peace then cool, I'm happy enough.

More annoying to me is the Coca-Cola truck which recently visited these parts peddling their tooth-rotting wares under the guise of 'happy holidays for kids', consumerism and commercialism at it's worst as far as I see it.
Either way, all I'm celebrating this month is the Winter solstice, and not for any 'Mother Earth' spiritual reasons, just because we start getting more light than darkness every day after it.
Can't wait, cold dark Winter? Bah Humbug!

originally posted by: IAMTAT
I thought the whole 'Christmas' Change to 'Xmas'...was supposed to make everything 'Hunky Dory'.

Umm, "Xmas" is not secular. "Xmas" is a rather ancient Christian abbreviation with the "X" being the cross. If you take "Christ" out of "Christmas" and substitute a cross I don't think you have changed much.