I just read that headline. Truthfully, it ticks me off. It implies that all Americans should be Christian and using the holiday season to celebrate the birth of Christ.
This is where I pause and wonder what a "free" nation really is? Phil Robertson and Paula Deen have already proved we really don't have the freedom of speech. Taxes guarantee that we can never be free from debt. And statements like this truly show that although we may preach freedom of religion, really there isn't a whole lot of tolerance for "non-Christians".
Prepare yourself as I am about to declare myself as Agnostic. No, this does not mean that I sacrifice animals, practice witch craft or dance around nude chanting to the fairies. That last part must have been me walking to the bathroom in the middle of the night, stubbing my toe and you misheard which F word I used. It means that I acknowledge that there may or may not be a deity or deities in play in the universe. I approach the topic with lots of questions and skepticism. And for me, at least, I have zero religion. This does not mean I am without faith, but I have no use for religions. I do believe them to be a form of society control.
If you are religious, or devout, I do not judge you at all. I do not out right debate with you or question your beliefs. However, I doubt that most religious people would give me the same open minded tolerance. Please don't pray for me, it's somewhat insulting to me as it indicates something is wrong with me.
Nothing is wrong with me. I am even baptized as an Episcopalian. I was raised by two parents, who are still married to this day, who both love and have a strong faith in their God. I know they as well wish that I would also have the same kind of faith and believe in God and Heaven. However, I am most comfortable identifying as Agnostic than any other faith related label out there. I have my reasons, one of the most prominent being a college level course of Philosophy that really got me to examine what my beliefs were. I wrote a twelve page paper on whether living beings have souls or not as my final. Fabulous teacher, she got me to think and question everything I had ever been conditioned to believe in. But as I am not looking to be saved or for you to try to convince me of your beliefs, I will not go into any other detail on what it was that really made up my mind for me. I refuse to make up my daughters' minds for them as well. I did not baptize them as I want them to find what belief they find most speaks to them. I sent my daughter to Bible School. She asked to pray when my sister's dog died and I prayed with her. I am careful to keep my Agnostic opinions close to bay as not to cloud their thoughts with mine.
The entire point to this blog is to let people know that non-Christians do celebrate Christmas as well. And it is without Christ, because to celebrate Christ at this time of year but not any other would be, well, hypocritical. So my holiday season, my holiday décor, my traditions all celebrate other aspects of the holiday. Did you know that there is documentation of a celebration around the same time of year even before Christ was born? Have you ever asked yourself what a tree has to do with the birth of Christ? Some of your traditions are actually from my beliefs of what I celebrate.
In the darkest days of winter, people would celebrate light- hence the Christmas lights. Mid to end December was when all the animals had been slaughtered and the harvest was over so people had an abundance of food- hence the big dinners and feasts. For some, it was the only time they had fresh meat. Also the fermentation of wine and beer was finally complete- hence the party and celebration.
For those who are already rolling your eyes at this, please note that scholars beg to differ at the date of December 25th for Jesus' birthday. In fact, studies have suggested it would have been springtime.
In fact, the history of Christianity shows that the church only decided to start celebrating Jesus' birthday at this time of year in order to absorb the Pagan celebration of winter solstice. In the early years, it was less of a family holiday and more of a drunk fest. It was Americans who took the holiday and made it a family-centered celebration. In the early 1800's right around the time that Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, families began to be more aware of the emotional needs of a child and started using Christmas as a day to lavish gifts upon a child who typically was not spoiled.
So Americans put the family in the holiday and made it less like Mardi Gras. And Christmas originally was not to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but eventually the Christian church put that spin on it. In fact the green tree that almost all Christians erect in their home at this time of year has no relation to Jesus. It was to remind people during the winter months of the green that they enjoyed in the spring & summer and that they hoped would return after the "Sun God" recovered from illness (which is why they thought winter happened). Some countries actually believed that placing wreaths, garlands of evergreens and trees in the home would ward off evil spirits and witches. It also celebrates life over death, a sign of a live plant in the midst of a winter stretch.
I celebrate Santa, which as much as most Christians would balk at, is not much different to Jesus in my mind. A figure of faith, one who is good and kind and cares for all. One who frowns at bad behavior and rewards good behavior. In fact, legend tells it St. Nicholas really did exist and show all he encountered kindness and generosity. St. Nicholas' Dutch nickname was Sinter Klass.
So for the headlines that say Americans are taking the Christ out of Christmas, for me it was never about Christ. For me this is a celebration of family, of friends, of tradition, of good will and kindness to others, of generosity. I celebrate the snow and the harvest behind us (and yes, we truly do harvest our garden). I celebrate the good in people at this time of year. I celebrate Santa and all he stands for to me- Childhood, magic, faith, miracles, hope. I lavish gifts on those I love, the one time of year that I actually do. Every year I focus on helping out those who are less fortunate or donate to a charity. I will eat, I will drink, I will be merry.
I will leave it up to the Christians to put the Christ in their Christmas.
