A Christmas Soapbox
I don’t know why I let myself read comments on news articles. Mostly the hate and finger pointing between those posting just makes me sad. The article itself is fine, but the comments are mostly just hateful. Can’t we all just accept that “Christmas” means different things to different people, and let everyone celebrate the season how …they choose?
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/23/an-atheist-view-of-december/
To the best of my knowledge, “Christmas” is a christian holiday that evolved out of a pagan holiday, because Christianity was on the rise; pagans were converting, but they wanted to maintain their traditional seasonal celebrations, and we still celebrate the traditions that the pagans did while incorporating christian traditions, as well (such as decorating an evergreen tree next to setting up nativity scenes). It has also become a secularized holiday celebrating peace and good will that involves lots of music, shopping, food, and time with friends and family. It also happens to fall around the same time as several other religious and non religious holidays, whose traditions can be somewhat diminished next to Christmas, but are no less important to the people who celebrate those holidays.
As a Christian, I will celebrate the birth of my Savior who I believe came to this world more than 2000 years ago. I will also wrap presents, eat Christmas cookies, and admire my Mother’s finely decorated Christmas tree. If I pass you on the street, I will wish you a Merry Christmas. I will not be angry with Atheists who only want to celebrate the season with the presents and the tree and the cookies, nor will I begrudge Jews who celebrated Hanukkah, but who may or may not also have Christmas lights on their home, or attend a Christmas party and play dirty Santa. I also will not tell the person who chooses not to put up a tree and not to eat a cookie shaped like Santa Claus that they are “doing it wrong.” Why can’t we all extend each other this courtesy?
No matter what you believe the holiday “really means,” Christmas is a time to celebrate peace, love, friendship, family, and goodness.
Merry Christmas.
1 year ago • Notes