There is a humorous entry rolling around the internet regarding our collective outlook on the Christmas season. I honestly think of it as a sad commentary on how we, as a society, have perverted one of the most sacred holidays of the year.

I think you'll see that it makes its own point. I could not find the name of the author but here, for your reading pleasure, is how it appears on humormatters.com...

• Subject: The Office Party

FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director

TO: Everyone

RE: Christmas Party

DATE: December 1

I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23, starting at noon in the banquet room at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue. No-host bar, but plenty of egg nog! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols... feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus!

• FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director

DATE: December 2

RE: Christmas Party

In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognize that Hanukkah is an important holiday which often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to employees who are celebrating Kwanza at this time.

Happy now?

• FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director

DATE: December 3

RE: Holiday Party

Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table... you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads "AA Only" you wouldn't be anonymous any more. How am I supposed to handle this? Somebody?

• FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director

DATE: December 7

RE: Holiday Party

What a diverse company we are! I had no idea that December 2 begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating, drinking and sex during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees beliefs. Perhaps Luigi's can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party - the days are so short this time of year - or else package everything for take-home in little foil swans. Will that work?

Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Overeaters Anonymous to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms. Did I miss anything?

• FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director

DATE: December 8

RE: Holiday Party

So, December 22 marks the Winter Solstice... what do you expect me to do, a tap dance on your heads? Fire regulations at Luigi's prohibit the burning of sage by our "earth-based Goddess-worshipping" employees, but we'll try to accommodate your shamanic drumming circle during the band's breaks. Okay???

• FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director

DATE: December 9

RE: Holiday Party

People, people, nothing sinister was intended by having our CEO dress up like Santa Claus! Even if the anagram of "Santa" does happen to be "Satan," there is no evil connotation to our own "little man in a red suit." It's a tradition, folks, like sugar shock at Halloween or family feuds over the Thanksgiving turkey or broken hearts on Valentine's Day. Could we lighten up?

• FROM: Pat Lewis, Human Resources Director

DATE: December 10

RE: Holiday Party

Vegetarians!?!?!?!? I've had it with you people!!! We're going to keep this party at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it, and get you'll get your freaking salad bar, including hydroponic tomatoes. But you know, they have feelings, too. Tomatoes scream when you slice them. I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right now!

• FROM: Teri Bishops, Acting Human Resources Director

DATE: December 14

RE: Pat Lewis and Holiday Party

I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Pat Lewis a speedy recovery from her stress-related illness and I'll continue to forward your cards to her at the sanitarium.

In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.

We hope that this change does not offend anyone.

•••••

While the above is humorous and all, it does point out what we as a society have done to such a clearly religious holiday. Christmas is for one purpose and one purpose only, the recognition of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

It is not about the presents, or the tree or even the parties we attend. It is about Jesus becoming Emmanuel - or "God with us." In too many instances we have let the reason for the season get way out of hand.

Now, don't get me wrong. I do enjoy the energy the season generates. I love the music and the lights and the way people just generally seem to be nicer and of good cheer to one another. It's just sometimes we tend to forget why we even take the time to do all these things. Jesus is the reason for the season.

Christmas has nothing to do with any other religion or belief. It is solely a Christian holiday. Hanukkah, Kwanza, Ramadan are all separate celebrations. Each is entitled to be celebrated by those who subscribe to them as they see fit. Just as Christmas should be celebrated by those who acknowledge it for what it is and in a manner that glorifies God and His only begotten Son.

My wish for everyone this Christmas is that you truly experience what the holiday is all about. I hope you have fully grasped that without Jesus Christ there would be no reason to celebrate, no reason to exchange gifts with loved ones. That without the birth of our Savior there would be no carols to sing or trees to decorate. Without Emmanuel there would be no hope for this world nor would we have the promise of life everlasting or the hope for peace, goodwill on earth to men.

Merry Christmas and, as always, God bless...

Dennis Norwood is a reporter for The Catoosa County News. He can be reached at dnorwood@catoosanews.com or 706-935-2621.