Merry Holidays and all that Jazz
I get forwarded emails from family reminding me that it is Christmas time and all you other religions that are wrong, can go screw off. I see billboards telling me the same thing. These things don’t give me that “Holiday Cheer” inside.
I see Malls opening at Midnight on Thanksgiving to make the big sales, the earliest jump on Black Friday. This too does not give me that “Holiday Cheer” inside.
Watching my son look at a nicely trimmed Christmas tree does.
So, I started thinking about why I celebrate Christmas. I am not a “practicing” Christian, but yet I feel I believe in the Bible. I really don’t like the over commercialization of any holidays, while on the flip side I go gaga for the Christmas lights, the holiday music (yes I said holiday music, Hanukah songs are great!), basically the whole Christmas nine yards. I do dislike the use of Xmas, but thats because shortening names can be stupid to me, I mean would you say Xster, or Xtines Day?
Lets turn on the way back machine and see where I come from (somebody should tell Mr. President that you can learn about the Present and the Future by learning from the past.)
Growing up in a Lutheran based family gave my the understanding that Jesus is my savior and that God is well god. Then I went to Trinity Lutheran School in Faribault Minnesota and I learned that Man is imperfect and that those who preach the gospel cannot always be trusted. Thus I started growing mistrust of Organized Religion and of what I was taught about Jesus and God.
I then went on to study Pagan (Wiccan mostly) religions, and it felt right to me at the time. The energy of life, the ebb and flow. I like feeling connected to all things, and that we have a power in us to effect things that we could not otherwise do (i.e.: magic spells, astral travel, communication with the “other side”)
When I was 18, I attempted suicide by running my car into a bridge pillar in the “hopes” that it would explode action movie style. It didn’t’, but I knew from that moment that something is out there, god, jesus, energy, Buddha, etc..
Now a days I am married to a wonderful wife, and have a brilliant child, and a happy life. I feel that what ever the Higher Power is out there, it wanted me to be here. It guided me to this place in time.
Now lets look at when Christmas comes. Winter, at least where I have ever lived its been winter-like, and the Winter Solstice is very close to when Christmas time happens. Some folks say that the Church of old “stole” the solstice to try to convert the pagans. Some Christians point out the lambs in the stable, and say “lambs, in winter? Lambs come is spring right?”
I started feeling a few years ago, that winter is not the end of the year, but the the beginning. The snow (or the gray rain in my case living in Seattle) brings a clean slate to everybody’s life. The “nothingness” right before the “everything”. During this cold and dreary time what is better and being with friends and loved ones, by a warm glow of a fire, or singing cheerfully songs, or hanging bright colored lights on trees. Not much.
Ok, heres a load of background information to build on. How to wrap it up? I believe that Jesus would not be happy with us shoving our (or anybody else doing the same to us) our religion down their throats. If you shout Merry Christmas at a Jewish person, are you doing it out of love or hate? If you push a Mall Santa to the ground cause he is blocking the spiritual view of Jesus birth, is that a Christ like thing to do? On the same token I would not want someone telling me I couldn’t sing Frosty the Snowman, or hum the Dreydl song.
Jesus want us to love our fellow man, christian or otherwise, black, white, rainbow. I feel that Jesus would want to light a menorah candle with one of my good friends, or put festive decorations on a winter solstice tree. Jesus came because he loved us, and wants us to know love, and to give love to others. I don’t think Jesus is the kinda guy how wants a birthday cake, or us to shove people around in the mall to buy a video game (I am not saying I wouldn’t love to see a iPod Touch in my stocking this year!).
Christmas time is holding the hand of the Winter Solstice, and together they walk giving new life, joy and love to those around them, but if your to hung up on “Put the Christ back in Christmas” OR “Don’t bring that Christmas Tree into my City Hall” you’ll miss it.
You may call this style of spirituality “Buffet Style”, well you may be right. I do love a good buffet. I am happy wishing you a Merry Christmas, Happy Winter Solstice, Happy Hanukah, and Happy Kwanzaa.
I’m even happy to wish you a Happy Holidays and Auld Lang Syne.
May Jesus, Jehovah, Buddha, The Flying Spaghetti Monster, JR Bob Dobbs, bring you many blessings, and allow you to feel love. We all need a little love, even Tiny Tim knew it.
Happy Holidays to all, and to all a good night
Kilted Eric
Oh, and to you atheists who believe in nothing out there, Bah Humbug! 
Oh I forgot to add something, one of the times Good Christians imposed religion on to people we got the Spanish Inquisition.
X is the first letter, in Greek, of the word “Christ”; thus the origin of the abbreviation “Xmas.”
I look forward to V day. Eat your heart out.
If I say Happy Holidays to some one, it’s not the same as saying,
“I don’t recognize the validity or importance of your faith or belief system.” It just means, “I wish you well and hope for you happiness.”
If I say “Merry Christmas,” it doesn’t mean I share all of the same values and beliefs as you. It just means “I recognize that you have beliefs that are probably meaningful to you and I respect your right to have those beliefs.”
If I put up an 8′ tall Costco Santa in my front yard, I don’t intend to demean or belittle your beliefs in God. I am participating in a tradition of tacky yard displays that goes back generations in my group of friends and families. It really has little to do with you. I hope you understand.
In my mind, that’s what it generally comes down to; the people that cry the loudest in outrage over the erosion of Christ’s message, are doing the most damage to His cause. Instead of living as a shining example of the way the world can be by demonstrating the awesome power of peace, love and understanding; they wallow in strife, hate and intolerance.
As in past comments regarding a groups effort to co-op symbolism for their own cause and efforts, the only reasonable response is to display your beliefs proudly and openly. Don’t retreat in the face of aggressiveness, instead stand calmly but firm in your intentions. If what you really mean is “Happy Holidays,” than say it with unwavering intention, smile warmly and go about the rest of your day.
As always Rory, you can sun up what I try to say in my own half awake ramblings in a nice little package. Thank you,
oh and Merry Christmas to you and yours.
KE
How refreshing! I am not Christian, but my husband is and we have 3 young kids, so we do the holiday here. But I prefer the Happy Holiday greeting and I offer it wholeheartedly to anyone who is alive in December, I don’t care what religion or color they are, or which songs they sing.
Happy Holiday, Kilted Eric! And may you experience many blessings, good luck, good karma, or whatever else makes you and your family smile.