Kurt R.A. Giambastiani

In December 1966 — in lieu of their regular station identification — CBS aired a short, animated holiday greeting for its viewers. (I’ve embedded it, below, for your convenience.) Drawn by R.O. Blechman, a well-known animator and illustrator, the piece was done in his standard minimalist style. Though it has no dialogue, it still delivers a lovely message of peace and harmony. At the end appear the words: Season’s Greetings From CBS.

Not Merry Christmas. Not Happy Holidays.

Season’s Greetings.

That phrase — Season’s Greetings — raised no eyebrows in 1966. Nor would it have done so in ’76. Or ’86. Probably not even in ’96.

Now, though, in today’s climate of over-sensitive butt-hurt, sadly, it would. The whole “War on Christmas” crowd would take to social media and start a boycott, write their congress-critters of their outrage, and inform every sponsor of every program across the network’s empire of how they’d never buy anything from them ever ever again. Ever.

Seriously, folks. Just chill.

CBS wasn’t dissing Christmas back in 1966 any more than someone today who wishes us “Happy Holidays.” CBS was merely — and wisely, in my opinion — acknowledging that not all of their viewers observed Christmas. CBS knew that while some viewers were trimming their evergreens, others were lighting menorahs, observing other religious holidays, or eschewing Christmas altogether on religious or secular grounds. CBS wasn’t excluding anyone; they wanted to include everyone.

Which is what I want to do as well.

It’s been a terribly difficult year for everyone I know, both here in America and around the globe. Deaths, wars, politics, depravity, more deaths…I don’t know about you but I’m frakking exhausted by it. Some days, I can barely lift my head.

But that makes the warmth of friendship and kindness all the more important. It sets gratitude and empathy higher on my priority list. And it puts a premium on patience, understanding, and good intentions.

So, in that spirit, with the sole intent of wishing you and yours the greatest comfort, warmth, love, and cheer the year’s end can provide, I say:

Season’s Greetings

k