TOM SCHAEFER Don't forget reason for the season

Is "ho, ho, ho" the shortened version of "holy, holy, holy"? Just thinking out loud ...
Last year's organizers of Winterfest in Wichita, Kan., created a firestorm when they decided to call the festive tree downtown a "community tree."
No problem this year. It's a Christmas tree, by golly!
Karen Dabdoub, president of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, has the right perspective on the tree issue in general when she told the Cincinnati Enquirer:
"The Jews don't put up a tree for Hanukkah; the Muslims don't put up a tree for Ramadan. It doesn't take away from my celebration of my holiday for other people to celebrate their holiday. I don't want anybody's holidays to be watered-down."
While the argument may have ended in Wichita, similar controversies are raging elsewhere in the country.
For instance, do you say "Happy holidays" or "Merry Christmas"? Whichever way you say it can be an irritant for lots of folks.
So, in this season of goodwill, how do we keep everyone happy? (I would say how do we keep everyone "merry and gay," but then we'd have another segment of the population upset.)
Here's my take
Let me give you my take on the Christmas/Holiday war of words:
Those who want to stress "Merry Christmas" are fighting the wrong battle. What we say has less to do with the December dilemma than what we do.
Instead of arguing over words, why not get serious about more fundamental matters?
Are you teaching your children that getting a roomful of gifts is more important than giving to those in need? Have you talked about what the true reason is for celebrating the season? Do you live by example, or is it all about adding to your credit-card debt?
For Christians, Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. For Jews, Hanukkah -- which begins Dec. 25 this year -- is about the miraculous story of the Jerusalem Temple's restoration in 165 B.C.E.
And for others: Why would the word war make any difference?
"Merry Christmas" ... "Happy holidays." Either way is fine with me. Just don't forget to focus on the true significance of the celebration.
Then there's this scratch-your-head approach to Christmas Day.
Closed on Christmas
The Associated Press reports that the largest church in central Kentucky will be closed Dec. 25, which happens to be a Sunday.
Southland Christian Church, near Lexington, will not have worship services that day so staff members and volunteers can be with their families.
Turns out that the mega-church (7,000 worshipers) is not alone. At least four other mega-churches in the country, including well-known Willow Creek Community Church in the Chicago area, will forgo Christmas Day services.
As part of my Christmas holiday observance, I plan to see "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," which debuted Dec. 9 nationwide.
Early reviews suggest the film is true to C.S. Lewis' book. (If you haven't read the seven Narnia books, consider reading "Passport to Narnia: A Newcomer's Guide" by George Beahm, for a quick and helpful background to the series.)
Even before it was released, the movie has spawned controversy: Is it only for those serious about spiritual matters?
Newsweek magazine says it's "as Christian as you want it to be." Walt Disney Pictures, which produced the film, says it doesn't have to be understood in a Christian context. The fantasy aspects are exciting and entertaining.
Decide for yourself: Is the spiritual component overriding? Then let me know what you think of it.
Still time to learn
Even though you may have missed the observance -- St. Nicholas Day, Dec. 6 -- it's not too late to learn something new about the fourth-century saint, especially in light of our culture's stress on Santa Claus, the gift-giver.
You'll find a wealth of information and ideas to help you appreciate the roots of Nicholas and to celebrate the season.
Check out this first-rate Web site: www.stnicholascenter.org and get a different perspective on the "jolly old elf."
As we move through December, I hope you're finding spiritually enriching ways to celebrate the season.
If you have something special planned for yourself or family, let me know so others can benefit.
Knight Ridder Newspapers