On a bright Hawaiian Christmas day
That's the island greeting that we send to you
From the land where palm trees sway
Here we know that Christmas will be green and bright
The sun to shine by day and all the stars at night
Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii's way
To say Merry Christmas to you
My friend (in Hawaii) posted on Facebook that her preschool daughter was singing Mele Kalikimaka on the playground. Another child told her daughter that it wasn't a proper Christmas song.
My first thought was the child must live with the Grinch ... or a fundamental Christian. I further pondered about this exchange at the Christmas Eve Service in my own church. I respect the religious beliefs of the child's family, but I quote Paul Harvey, "and now for the rest of the story"...
While the child's family can believe that Mele Kalikimaka is not a real Christmas song ... that same family cannot project its values on others. The First Amendment is clear:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
My friend's husband is a soldier who took an oath to support and defend the US Constitution. His daughter has every right to sing Mele Kalikimaka anytime she pleases! I'd even invite her to sing at my church.
Today, I wish you Merry Christmas. I send you Season's Greetings. I hope you enjoy Happy Holidays. And I thank our military families and first responders for serving.
Mahalo,
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
