Good Morning, Christmas Day
Having been raised Christian in my beliefs; Christmas has always been a special time of the year when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. To me it also seems to be a time of religious possessiveness when many “Christians” act as if they own the whole month of December while conveniently ignoring other religious holidays in the month. I.e. Dar of Ashura (Islam), Bodhi Day (Buddhist), Hanukkah (Jewish), Winter Solstice (Wicca/Pagan), Kwanzaa (African-American.
Lately, it seems that if you are a “Christian”, you must wish everyone a “Merry Christmas” rather than “Happy Holidays” as an affront to “Political Correctness”. Now I…like I believe so many others, are a bit tired of all the proliferation of “Political Correctness” that seems to be changing the way we refer to just about anything… that could possible offend… even the smallest portions of our society.
Just the other day I saw where the “Master Bedroom” in a house is now referred to as “Owners Bedroom”. Now if that was intended not to offend our African-American citizens or every other culture that has been owned at one time, then someone should reconsider that “Owners” could be just as offensive to the more sensitive of that particular group. Pretty soon this “German-American” won’t know what to say or how to say it, without offending someone.
That being said, I have no problem wishing someone “Happy Holidays”, which in my mind, encompasses the religious holidays of December pretty well and with a bonus of “Happy New Year” thrown in for good measure. To me it also shows respect for other beliefs, even if they are not the same as mine. Personally, I do not want someone jamming their religious beliefs in my face and because I believe I should threat others like I would like to be treated, I tend to wish others Happy Holidays.
Sure, I still wish some people a “Merry Christmas” when I feel it is appropriate and I know they are Christian. What I don’t have to do, is insist that everyone say “Merry Christmas” or for that matter that they be Christian. You see, I am secure enough with my beliefs, that I do not need everyone around me believing the exact same as me to bolster my view of God. To me, belief in a God…or “Gods” for some, is a very personal thing and is best kept that way.
So on this day of Christian celebration of the virgin birth of Jesus of Nazareth, I want to wish all of my Christian friends and relatives a very Merry Christmas. To my friends that embrace Judaism, I wish a Happy Hanukkah, and to my Muslim friends I wish peace in this time of Ashura. To the Baha’is, a New Year of World Peace. Curious I find how we all share the God of Abraham. To my Wicca and Pagan friends, may you enjoy the “return of the light” during this Yule. To my Hindu friends, may the upcoming festival of Makar Sankranti be joyous. To my African-American friends that celebrate Kwanzaa, may it enrich your heritage and be a family time.
May all of you have a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Love, Dad
PS. I am also just a bit tired of seeing “Santa Claus” everywhere I look. I’m afraid that Saint Nicholas has been morphed into a retail icon, but that is for another time. Maybe next year.
Images: Santa Claus: Queen of Celebrity http://bit.ly/vfEdC7