I had a short interview with the Daily Breeze last week and the reporter asked me what I thought of the current secular trend of combining the winter holidays and calling them Chrismakkuh or Chrismahanukkwanzakah. Here’s what was printed in the “Faith and Values” section on December 25, 2004:

“Christmawhat?” asked the Rev. Steve Sanchez of Hope Chapel in Hermosa Beach.

“I’ve never heard that before. That’s hilarious and sad at the same time,” he said. “They’re taking the Christ out of Christmas. Christmas is Christ-mass. It’s about the birth of Jesus Christ who came into the world to save sinners.”

After the interview I asked the reporter, Cerise Valenzuela, if she was a Christian. She said she was.

I invited her to Hope Chapel.

*
At Big Lots!, in the days leading up to Christmas I wished the cashier a “Merry Christmas!”

She responded with, “Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!”

“Remember, it’s about Christmas…,” I answered.

“I know,” she replied, “But we have all types of different people.”

As I finished my purchase I said, “Remember, Mr. Happy didn’t die for your sins.”

She gave me a bemused smile.