"In the Name of God, Amen." are the first words of the Mayflower Compact, a document executed by the Pilgrims 385 years ago, when they were about to disembark in the New World from the Mayflower. Among its signers were William Bradford, John Carver, and William "Elder" Brewster. More concerning this later.

     But first, let's indulge in some science fiction.

      Imagine it's fifteen years from now: December 25, 2020, 400 years and four days after the Pilgrims first set foot on Plymouth Rock. The forces of mandatory inclusion and political correctness have made the observance of Christmas unacceptable, and in some cases, illegal.

     As a result, December 25 is no longer a day off (the Supreme Court banned that practice, ruling that it constituted an unacceptable breach in the wall between church and state). This followed soon after the Court's ruling on a suit brought by the ACLU that "Christmas" had to be renamed "Winter Holiday" on all calendars. Now, everyone, including school children, must get up early and spend December 25 in class or at work.

     Because December 25 is no longer a holiday, family get-togethers can no longer take place. There are no office or school parties. Naturally, municipal, state, and federal observances of Christmas are completely forbidden.

     Except for a few disciples of Wycca, who observe the winter solstice, there are no public ceremonies of any kind, religious or otherwise. Decorative lights are banned because they waste energy; Christmas music no longer fills the streets because it's a public nuisance to a few. Red, green, gold, and white have given way to a gray silence.

     It is an unfortunate consequence, but many retailers have closed their doors and declared bankruptcy. Christmas shopping, which makes up a quarter or more of annual retail sales, no longer happens. By late 2020, unemployment has risen to nearly 10% nationally, but those who were responsible for banning Christmas say, "It's all for the best. Christmas was far too commercial, anyhow."

     Locally, a single mother lost her case for reinstatement at a large, national chain store. She had inadvertently wished a customer "Merry Christmas" last December, 2019. A video camera in the store spotted her in that act of unwarranted seasonal joy, so she was fired at the end of the workday. When asked why she did it, she replied, "Gee, I'm really sorry. It just kinda, like, slipped out." She has three young children to support. The Massachusetts high court has refused to hear her case.

     Political analysts are predicting that many other religious holidays will soon be banned as well. Mardi Gras will likely be next, since it ties up the streets of New Orleans, a major seaport, for a full week each February. Chinese New Year is also on the block, because it uses fireworks that are either banned or restricted in all 50 states. Congress is expected to base the actions against these two religious holidays upon its constitutional powers to regulate interstate commerce.

     But back to the present: December 1, 2005 A.D., during the first week of Advent.

     Does our science fiction story vibrate with you? If so, let us make it clear that we are not advocating any religion in particular, nor religious observances in general. Instead, we are advocating that a historic (and joyful) American tradition be continued.

     As we mentioned, the Pilgrims started their life in the New World with a godly declaration in December of 1620. Dutch sailors brought their Christmas to the Americas in 1625. St. Nicholas ("Santa Claus" in Dutch) is the patron saint of seafarers and their ships, so the Dutch sailors celebrated his feast day on December 6 by swapping gifts. Since that time, English, German, Irish, Italian, French, Filipino, Polish, Slavic, Greek, Scandinavian, and Hispanic immigrants have brought their own Christmas traditions to the U.S. Christmas has been celebrated here in a thousand different ways for nearly four centuries.

     We think that tradition should continue. It's part of our history. And not so incidentally, it's a fantastic festivity. Whatever your persuasion, South Boston Online hopes you have a merry, wonderful Christmas season, with all the peace and joy it can bring.