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Christian Holidays & Celebrations
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| Yes | 10% | 58 votes | Total: 577 votes | |
| No | 90% | 519 votes |
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Add to FavoritesEvery year, around the end of November, it starts up again - the War on Christmas, the so-called evil atheists versus the so-called religious fundamentalists going tooth and nail over what to call the decorated evergreen in the Capitol Building and various other related trivialities. And every year everyone seems to get it wrong. Because despite what is claimed by everyone from journalists to presidential candidates, it's not about taking religion out of the public sphere. It's not about anybody being "offended." It's about not letting one religion shout down everyone else.
As a Pagan, I know that a lot of people don't much care for my religion (and some people hate it a lot) but that's okay because I live in a country where my freedom of religion is a constitutionally protected right. If my right to practice my religion is challenged, if I'm fired from my job because of it, if I'm evicted from my apartment because of it, I can take it to court and have at least a fighting chance of protecting myself. Except - well, every time Pagans find themselves fighting for custody of their children, when it takes years of fighting the system to put the symbol of his faith on a Pagan soldier's grave, when the current president says (as he did in 1999) that Wicca, a branch of Paganism, is not a real religion, I am reminded that my chances of winning that legal battle might be a little bit worse than might be expected in a country that claims freedom of religion as one of its founding principles.
I suppose you could say that none of these particular incidents prevents me from practicing my religion as I see fit, and that's true. But neither does asking the Christians to tone it down a little infringe on their right to practice their religion as they see fit. "Happy Holidays?" Yep, Christmas is still a holiday. Public Christmas trees? Give me a public display of other religions, too, and we'll see. (Last Christmas season, the mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin put a nativity scene on the roof of City Hall. When people objected, he offered to put any other holiday symbols up that people offered. Circle Sanctuary, a Pagan/Wiccan organization in central Wisconsin, sent a wreath in the shape of a pentacle. Someone vandalized it after only a couple of days. The mayor had it removed and said the nativity would stay up the rest of the season, and maybe he'd look into a better policy for next year. Thanks, but no points for effort.)
The question has never been about asking Christians not to say Merry Christmas, only asking them not to be offended when someone else says Happy Holidays instead. It's not about asking churches not to have Christmas Eve services, but to ask that public schools which are paid for and attended by people of many faiths to not only allow but encourage all of those faiths to flourish - by not supporting any particular one of them. Christianity is a fundamental and vital part of American culture, and as such it tends to hold a privileged position in these arguments, and it can be easy to feel that you're being oppressed when that privilege is taken away and the playing field is leveled. That is all that minority faiths are asking for - a level playing field.
I would never, ever support a law saying that Christians are not allowed to practice their religion wherever they want. I think that Christians should be allowed to pray in public parks, to pray in schools, to pray on Capitol Hill. But I do not think that my taxes should pay for Christian monuments in public parks, for teachers to lead prayer circles, or for politicians to pray in the name of all their constituents, and there is in fact a law against exactly those things. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." That doesn't mean you can't have a Merry Christmas. It does mean that I can have a Happy Solstice, too.
Learn more about this author, Jen Moore.
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No
Christians definitely should not stop celebrating Christmas publicly. Christ is the reason for Christmas- without Him there would be no Christmas! Don't you believe, in your hearts, that God and Jesus rejoice when they see us celebrate Jesus' birthday? Do you think that they would like to watch the day go by unremarked? I certainly believe that God and Jesus rejoice with us.
Christmas is a celebration of Jesus' birth. No amount of commercialism or materialism connected with Christmas can change that basic fact. Christians have the most right to celebrate Christmas publicly.
On that first Christmas, the wise men brought gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh. "On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh."(Matthew 2:11)
Because of that first Christmas 2000 years ago man has the hope of eternal life. A light shone in the darkness. God sent us Jesus to give us hope and show us the way we are to live. That is the reason for the hope and joy of Christmas.
When Christians honor Christmas, we are honoring Christ and showing this to the world.
A special part of a Christian Christmas is Advent. An advent wreath includes five candles. Each candle is lit on a Sunday leading up to Christmas, and there is a candle to be lit on Christmas day.
Christmas is a wonderful, fun time. There are parades, holiday music, special food. There are Christmas trees and Santa Claus. But we have to remember why we rejoice at Christmas- we have to remember the reason for the season. That reason is the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Christmas is meant to be celebrated- with song, with gifts, with traditions. It is perhaps the time of year when people act closest to the way Jesus wants for them to act.
When we go to Midnite Mass- when we attend church on Christmas morning- this is a celebration. It is a way of honoring God, Jesus- and of giving thanks.
The tradition of gift-giving reflects God's love in us. Giving gifts with love is a Christ-like quality.
Singing Christmas carols- whether going door to door or in the privacy of your own home- is an old Christmas tradition. It is a way to express the joy and hope of the season.
Baking and cooking those special holiday foods- an integral part of Christmas. And the aromas that accompany those edibles- delicious!
Nothing beats a real Christmas tree- that wonderful pine scent and the glow of lights on the tree. Gaily wrapped presents underneath the branches.
Bright lights on the houses and bushes- an inviting sight on a cold nite.
A Christmas wreath on the front door welcomes family and friends to the warmth inside.
The best part of Christmas-time, however, is the closeness of family and friends. This is a time for reunions, and festive gatherings. A time for laughter and games. A time for drawing close to those who are most important to us. A time to reflect on Christmases gone by.
Although everyone has the right to celebrate Christmas, Christmas- in its' truest meaning- really belongs to Christians. Christs' name is right there- in the word "Christmas"- and He is the reason for the season. Thru the parties- the eggnog- the buying of gifts- let us remember the real reason for Christmas. The joy, peace, and hope given to us thru the birth of Jesus Christ.
There is a unique tradition of setting out paper bags with candles inside them on Christmas Eve to welcome the baby Jesus.
Learn more about this author, Annette Maraist.
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