As a life long Christmas lover, I look forward to the holidays with Glee. Not the TV show, the actual feeling of glee. This year, again, due to family illness and travails that go along with it the holidays don't seem that appealing. Yet as the day draws ever closer I cannot help but get a little caught up in the revelry, the music, the incredibly sappy movies.
If it weren't for people I would still really enjoy the season.
A few days ago I was on a nostalgia Facebook site about my hometown. A gentleman prefaced his post with "RANT WARNING". He went on to vent about the, "taking Christ out of Christmas", myth perpetrated by Fox News. The gentleman's point was that Happy Holidays is as good as Merry Christmas and covers the period from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day and included Chanuka and Kwanzaa.
Some of the Christians on the site went a little loco. "Jesus is the reason for the season". "There should be NO timid Christians". "I am a BETTER person than YOU for I am a TRUE Christian".
It was at this point I could not hold my tongue and told one of the Christians that she was simply mean. She aimed her venom at me. She accused me of being BOSSY and probably a DEMOCRAT. That is true. I can be bossy and I am a Democrat. I didn't find the Christians on the thread very, you know, Christian. They seemed hateful and so holier than thou. It's the new Christian movement. "We don't like you unless you are like us". I believe that lesson was part of the sermon on the mount, "and the Lord said, 'I do not love many people. I only love those who, like me, are perfect, sinless. Ye of slanted faith will suffer miserably in death for verily I do not care for thee'."
I have seen Christians carrying the Christmas banner. I have seen Atheists who don't want any Christmas or Jewish related decorations on public property. Public schools have a terrible time satisfying all the parents of children of all faiths. I see homes decorated with Menorahs. The Jewish holidays are more accurate in terms of the history. There are written and oral histories that support their faith. Christians do not have that luxury. There is no record of a census in Bethlehem that would bring travelers to town. There is no record of Magi searching for a King. There isn't even corroborating accounts in the Gospels.
There have been studies and speculation about when and where Christ was born. History reports that Christians moved the celebration of Christ's birth to coincide with an existing pagan winter celebration. The idea being that eventually the pagans would turn to Christianity. They did. Constantine was the Emperor who converted to Christianity. He, like so many, felt everyone should worship the same. He converted many of the empire's citizens to Christian. As the church became politically powerful, man sort of tweaked the teachings of Christ to fit the political climate or to gain power. They threw out books of the Bible they didn't like. They turned Christian rules into law to keep the population under their control. They taxed people in the name of God. That pretty much went against the teachings of the man they call Christ. "Render unto Caesar..." and all that.
Santa Claus entered the picture when St, Nickalaus brought little gifts for children. As I understand it he left gifts in children's shoes. Pockets would have been better. In Europe several versions of Santa Claus appeared with different traditions and meanings but it was still in connection with the birth of Christ. Through time Christmas, Santa and December 25 became connected. So we celebrate the birth of Jesus and Santa's visit all on the same day.
The most wonderful time of the year has become a battle ground. It isn't just the retail wars, it is the war among faiths and non faiths that are beginning to ruin Christmas for me. It is supposed to be a joyous time of year to bestow love, care and blessings on your friends and family. I don't resent a Hindu or a Buddhist wishing me the blessings of their faith. Why should people be offended if I say Merry Christmas?
In a card shop the other day I witnessed a man lose his cool when the clerk wished him a Merry Christmas. "I am not here for CHRISTMAS. I don't celebrate Christmas, I try to avoid all things Christmas!" Wow. God bless us everyone, dude. The clerk told me they couldn't decide what to say after any purchase. I suggested they simply say, "thanks for the money".
There is, of course, the brouhaha over saying "Happy Holidays" as though that is a slap in the face to the baby Jesus. "Happy Holidays", has been a greeting for as long as I can remember. Now suddenly it is supposed to be politically incorrect to use that as a greeting because it takes Christ out of Christmas. No, it does not. Holiday is derived from Holy Day. Happy Holidays covers all the holidays from Thanksgiving, which is barely recognizable, to New Years Day. Thank you Fox News. We didn't have enough to divide us already.
I refuse to get caught up in the pettiness. This is how is should be: Santa should be for children. Christmas should be for Christians who celebrate the birth of their Lord by rejoicing and reveling in His majesty and glory. Buying a tree, ornaments and gifts for everyone you know or feel obligated to should be called...End of the Year Retail Bonanza.
I believe that New Year's Eve is the dumbest holiday on earth. It celebrates changing the calendar. That's it. People go party, get ridiculously drunk and make resolutions to change their lives tomorrow, right after their hangover is better. People feel depressed or left out if someone doesn't toast them or kiss them at midnight. It's a holiday that celebrates nothing. However, I don't get angry and rip people's heads off when they say, "Happy New Year". I don't get peeved when people say, "what are you doing for New Year's Eve?" I don't celebrate it. I don't go out. I don't go party. I just try to remember what year it is. It is a completely man made holiday that celebrates time. That is what birthdays are for in my opinion.
Maybe we could all adopt this attitude about Christmas. People are merely sharing their love for a holiday whether they say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays not attempting to offend.
Whatever you celebrate or do not celebrate, I wish you all the best. I wish you health and happiness. I wish for us all a better world. I wish for harmony and friendship. I wish for mankind to be just exactly that, kind.
Peace and the joy of the season be with you and yours,
Lillybell Blues
