by Brandon Schultz

Created on: November 06, 2008

Though, I admit, it can be quite annoying for those of us "non-Christians" to have Christian doctrien infiltrate so many aspects of our lives unfairly, there is no legal or moral excuse for discouraging Christians from celebrating their holidays, including Christmas. As an educated person with an extensive background in world religions and psychology, I try to find the positive messages in the religions I encounter and incorporate them into my life in a way that I find suitable. Christmas is the rare time of year that creates a mood of peace, acceptance, love, and a general good-will even toward strangers. This is not something we need to shun, even if we do not believe in the spiritual nature of its origin.

It is impossible to say that Christmas does not have a positive influence on interactions between friends and family by bringing people together for festivities and creating an aura of kindness in daily life, but even if this were of no interest to you, you could not argue that the American economy would survive without it. With commercialism's reign over the holiday season, the retail industry relies almost entirely on the business it receives during Christmas, as evidenced by the ever-earlier introduction of holiday merchandise each year. If Christmas were not so inescapably critical to our economy, stockings and candy canes would not be appearing in stores in August. Beyond retail, the restaurant, travel, and entertainment industries reap enormous rewards by capitalizing on this cash cow of a holiday.

Apart from annual economic recovery and peace among people, Christmas, quite simply, beautifies our communities for at least a month every year. There is no child, of any religion, that does not delight in seeing twinkling lights covering the houses and trees of our neighborhoods; it is not only children who enjoy this, either. In addition to the visual decorations, beautiful sounds can often be found in many communities at parties and events tied to the holiday. Christmas also brings with it many extra theatrical performances, orchestral shows, and other cultural experiences.

Not only does Christmas provide these many benefits for any community member, regardless of faith, it does not hurt those who who are not followers of Christianity. Christmas is hardly a time when Christians harass other community members of picket political opponents. In fact, these types of activities seem even to lessen during this time. For a time, I worked in a Jewish health care facility for seniro citizens and, while there, was present for many lectures and group discussions about faith and holidays. Though I was in the company of very religious Jews, not one of them had a harsh word for Christmas and many of them claimed to have had a Christmas tree in their homes throughout their lives for the enjoyment of their children. I have found this to be true of atheists, agnostics, and followers of other religions as well.

Many complain that Christmas lost its meaning ages ago when commercialism took over. If this were decided to be true, which it very nearly is, then that enough is proof that there is no harm in the Christian celebration of their holiday. Furthermore, tolerance and acceptance are essential for the continued success of any population. If any religious group were banned, or even discouraged, from observing its holidays, our nation would plunge itself even deeper in the disgusting hole of intolerance and global animosity it has already created.

Christmas is harmless; in fact, Christmas is helpful. To everyone. Stressful at times, of course, but ultimately harmonious. No one should be discouraged from observing any holiday with a positive message, least of all Christmas.

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