Christians get trees. Jews get bushes. To stay in good standing with the Tribe, you've got to refer to a Christmas tree as a Hanukkah bush.

In this quote, Alan Colmes humorously addresses the cultural and religious differences between Christmas and Hanukkah, specifically the way holidays are celebrated within different communities. By stating that Christians get trees and Jews get bushes, Colmes makes a playful reference to the Christmas tree, a widely recognized symbol of the Christian holiday, and the Hanukkah bush, a less traditional and often humorous adaptation within the Jewish community. This contrast highlights the distinct ways in which these two religious groups celebrate the winter holidays.

The phrase "to stay in good standing with the Tribe" reflects the idea of maintaining a sense of cultural identity and community. In this case, "the Tribe" refers to the Jewish community, where there can be a lighthearted expectation to engage in certain practices or language to be perceived as adhering to the traditions. The suggestion to refer to the Christmas tree as a Hanukkah bush speaks to the sometimes humorous ways in which people from different cultural or religious backgrounds adapt to the traditions of others, often for the sake of inclusion or acceptance.

Colmes’s use of the Hanukkah bush as a symbol of Jewish participation in Christmas celebrations is a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the blending of cultures during the holiday season. While Hanukkah and Christmas are distinct holidays with different religious meanings, the quote plays on the way they can sometimes overlap in modern, multicultural societies, where individuals from different backgrounds may navigate both traditions in a humorous or lighthearted manner.

The origin of the quote stems from Colmes’s characteristic humor and his ability to comment on cultural differences in an accessible, witty way. As a political commentator, Colmes was known for his ability to discuss sensitive issues with satire and humor, often using wit to make observations about society and the complexities of living in a multicultural world. The quote ultimately reveals how people adapt to and sometimes joke about the blending of their traditions and cultural practices.