A resolution stating the Metropolitan Council's affirmation and support of the use of the words "Christmas or Merry Christmas" when referring to Metro Government events or activities traditionally associated with Christmas.

WHEREAS, the word Christmas is derived from the act of celebrating the Mass of Christ, which appears in Old English text dating back to 1038; and

WHEREAS, Jesus Christ is an actual man who was born over 2,000 years ago, as recorded by history;

WHEREAS, Jesus' life and teachings were and are so extraordinary that they have profoundly impacted the entire world, especially the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, the US Code regulations concerning the celebration of Christmas as a legal holiday are mirrored throughout all the United States, with Alabama having the distinction of being the first state to declare Christmas as a legal holiday, doing so in 1836. By 1907, Oklahoma rounded out the list of then-states by enacting a declaration of its own; and

WHEREAS, ninety percent of Americans consider themselves Christians, according to a recently completed national survey; and

WHEREAS, the modern world's calendar is categorized into two major sections: B.C. - before Christ's birth, and A.D. - after Christ's birth; and

WHEREAS, the vast majority of Americans are not offended by use of the words Christmas and Merry Christmas, but rather give and receive love, hope, comfort and joy to and from one another by using those words; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County states that it affirms and supports the use of the words Christmas or Merry Christmas, instead of non-descript, generic terms such as Happy Holidays, Winter Festival, and the like, when referring to Metro Government events or activities traditionally associated with Christmas, such as the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, Christmas Parade, and Metro School's Christmas vacation for our school children.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as affirming and supporting the use of the words Christmas or Merry Christmas, instead of non-descript, generic terms such as Happy Holidays, Winter Festival, and the like, when referring to Metro Government events or activities traditionally associated with Christmas

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Mayor Bill Purcell.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Eric Crafton, Charlie Tygard, Jim Gotto, J. B. Loring, Rip Ryman, Michael Craddock, Feller Brown, Parker Toler, Billy Walls, Randy Foster, Jim Forkum, Jamie Isabel, Buck Dozier, Edward Whitmore, Michael Kerstetter, Adam Dread, Jason Alexander, Carl Burch, Jason Hart, Vivian Wilhoite, Sam Coleman, Carolyn Baldwin Tucker